How it all began

Initiative

A Caribbean Prevention & Sports Agreement was presented by the Ministry of Health, Welfare & Sport (VWS) in May 2019. Bonaire’s sports structure plays an important role in achieving the goals set forth in the agreement. This proposal focuses on developing baseball and softball

Baseball was first played on Bonaire around the 1970s. At the time, a number of young adults, just returning from a time of study in Curaçao, decided to organize their beloved sport of baseball on Bonaire. The founding fathers of Bonairean adult and youth baseball included: Wichi de Palm, Jossy Boekhoudt, Julio “Djul” Angela, Rudy “Pastor” Jacobs and Harold “Oy” Sint Jago.

An adult baseball league has been organized off and on for the past few decades. Youth baseball exists to this day, albeit with varying numbers of practitioners and varying degrees of achievement. Despite an unstable organization, baseball, and now softball, have become an integral part of Bonairean society and one of the most popular sports among residents.

The KNBSB make a proposal to combine the forces of the organizations involved and develop the sport based on the principle that sport is accessible to all and that results arise from well-organized activities for youth. This will be achieved by implementing a development program that adheres as much as possible to the guidelines in the Caribbean Prevention & Sports Agreement.

 

Inspiration Week Netherlands

As a result of this initiative, a group of people who actively belong to the baseball and softball world in Bonaire traveled to the Netherlands to participate in inspiration week. During this week, this group was introduced to the new concept, the “Baseball 5,” on the first day. Attending meetings at different clubs with the aim of sharing experiences, getting explanations about sports structure in the Netherlands and listing information of  important issues . Things like: Communicating in a positive way what your association stands for, getting acquainted with the main pillars within a well-functioning association (structure, culture and strategy) and reflecting on your own influence on the functioning of your own association.

During this inspiration week, this group also attended a training “Conscious Governance,” as well as later on Bonaire the training “Governance with Impact” with the goal of understanding the difference between, managerial, coordinating and executive tasks. Gain insight into volunteer tasks and hours in an association, reflect on own tasks and hours and reflect on applying the insights of delegating ownership and providing support.

An inspiration session was provided by Stefaan Eskes (Director KNBSB) called ‘Dot on the horizon’

The inspiration week had ended with a tour of the National Training Center, Amsterdam Pirates complex. Here we were able to experience the artificial turf fields, batting cages/ Bullpens, indoor hall BP Sports and strength room. The best part, of course, for this group was being able to attend a practice of women’s major league softball.

It was clear: Back on Bonaire, we have a big job to do

 

Establishment of the working group and contact group

The group that went to the Netherlands in September 2021 for the inspiration week was a group of 10 people. This group was assembled and approached by Public Body  and created a diverse group of coaches, professionals, administrators, members of both softball and baseball (youth and adults), which was supplemented by two staff members from the INDEBON. So a good combination…

It was about Ms. Chynesca Cornelia, Ms. Marionela Jospehia, Ms. Anthony Ignacio,  mr. Kumar Piar, Mr. Rudsel Paula, Mr. Jonathan de Windt, Mr. Yurell de Caster and mr. Clinton Kirindongo. From the Indebon there was Nymphette Josephia and Winston Gill in attendance.

Throughout that entire week, Mr. K. Roy Vink (KNBSB)  present and on some days also Mr. Vink. Nick Veenbrink of the VWS who did a great job of welcoming and showing this group around.

On the last day, KNBSB suggested that a smaller group be established as the contact group so that communication can be better and more effective. From there, it was jointly decided that this contact group would consist of three people and it ended up being Chynesca Cornelia, Marionela Josephia and Clinton Kirindongo.

The contact group maintains a monthly meeting with KNBSB to discuss the status of affairs and updates the working group on developments in general. This consultation is every month and as needed for urgent cases, an additional consultation is scheduled. This money both with KNBSB and the contact group on Bonaire itself. Structure of consultation on Bonaire is in preparation for the consultation with KNBSB and of course as a result of the project.

Together, we decided to call the project “Nos ta bai kuminsa huntu,” which literally means, “We are going to start together.

 

Appointment quartermaster Baseball and Softball Bonaire

During the working visit KNBSB made to Bonaire, it became clear that there are many people with a heart for baseball and softball on Bonaire, which is very nice. Only mutually agreed that there should be an overarching coordination. KNBSB can advise remotely, but needs someone on the ground to be the coordinator on baseball and softball to set this up and shape it.

This is because baseball and softball is very fragmented on the island and because of the small scale there is no need to have or establish several leagues. This only makes it more complex.

Ms. Chynesca Cornelia was appointed in November 2022 to pull this one in Bonaire as project leader.

 

Why Federashon di Beisbòl i Sòftbòl Boneriano

Setting up the union is important to achieve short- and long-term goals. We must ensure that sports must be made sustainable by representing the interests of sports associations.

The importance of setting up the FBSB:

  • Joining forces
  • Everything can go in coordination and cooperation
  • Representation to INDEBON, KNBSB, in the region and internationally
  • Better connection to developments in the region and EUNL (E.g. Talent Fund)
  • Be able to make decisions about the future of baseball and softball collectively to develop the sport
  • Healthy sports economy

 

Organizational structure

  

Benefits if you are a member of the FBSB:

  • Representing interests by an organization to the region, EUNL and internationally;
  • A body where decisions are made in the public interest;
  • Ensure that management and maintenance of accommodations are done together with INDEBON
  • Support initiatives of associations wherever possible;
  • Recruit sponsors and members for the development of the sport;
  • Organize competition and sports promotion in cooperation with the associations.

 

What FBSB asks of members:

  • Recognize FBSB as the organization responsible for baseball and softball;
  • You are not a customer of the FBSB, but an (active) member (we are together responsible for the development of baseball and softball);
  • Be open to cooperation: stand up for your interests, but be open to the common good;
  • Continue to take initiative for your members: the athletes
  • Membership fee (Contribution)