Philippine baseball
Published Mar 04, 2020 00:00 am
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Updated Mar 04, 2020 00:00 am
TOL VIEWS
By SENATOR FRANCIS N. TOLENTINO
Senator Francis N. Tolentino
For Filipino baseball fanatics, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) qualifiers game on March 20 in Tucson, Arizona, United States, not one to be missed. Our very own Philippine Baseball Team will go up against the Czech Republic, and will be joined by no less than baseball professional Tim Tebow of the New York Mets. Blessed with this one chance to make it big again in world baseball league, both fans and national baseball players are now pepped and perked, all excited to catch and throw and run for Philippine pride.
The story of baseball in the Philippines dates back to as early as 1898. Introduced by the Americans during the colonial period, the sport was initially meant to discourage the people from engaging in cockfighting. Philippine baseball gained popularity in the years that followed, but soon struggled with conflict among its officials and lack of funding support. It was only until 2005 when baseball regained public interest and appreciation from the country’s sports bureau, leading to the national baseball revival which re-established our participation in international baseball competitions. Playing outside Philippine baseball fields, our national team has brought great honor and pride for the country. In the history of the SEA Games for example, the PH Men’s Baseball Team placed 1st in 2005, 2nd in 2007, 1st on 2011, and 1st in 2019.
Besides Tim Tebow who was born in the Philippines and stayed until he was 5, other baseball professionals bear Filipino blood such as Addison Russell who played for the Chicago Cubs as shortstop (defense specialist) and pitcher Tim Lincecum who played for the San Francisco Giants and later for the Los Angeles Angels.
With a baseball pro playing for the Philippines in an international league and heightening the morale of the entire PH baseball team, I believe we are presented with the opportunity to showcase to the world how great Filipino athletes, not just baseball players, are and can be.We hope that being able to make it to the 2021World Baseball Classic will open the doors for more Filipino baseballers to step into the major international baseball leagues.
Senator Francis N. Tolentino
For Filipino baseball fanatics, the World Baseball Classic (WBC) qualifiers game on March 20 in Tucson, Arizona, United States, not one to be missed. Our very own Philippine Baseball Team will go up against the Czech Republic, and will be joined by no less than baseball professional Tim Tebow of the New York Mets. Blessed with this one chance to make it big again in world baseball league, both fans and national baseball players are now pepped and perked, all excited to catch and throw and run for Philippine pride.
The story of baseball in the Philippines dates back to as early as 1898. Introduced by the Americans during the colonial period, the sport was initially meant to discourage the people from engaging in cockfighting. Philippine baseball gained popularity in the years that followed, but soon struggled with conflict among its officials and lack of funding support. It was only until 2005 when baseball regained public interest and appreciation from the country’s sports bureau, leading to the national baseball revival which re-established our participation in international baseball competitions. Playing outside Philippine baseball fields, our national team has brought great honor and pride for the country. In the history of the SEA Games for example, the PH Men’s Baseball Team placed 1st in 2005, 2nd in 2007, 1st on 2011, and 1st in 2019.
Besides Tim Tebow who was born in the Philippines and stayed until he was 5, other baseball professionals bear Filipino blood such as Addison Russell who played for the Chicago Cubs as shortstop (defense specialist) and pitcher Tim Lincecum who played for the San Francisco Giants and later for the Los Angeles Angels.
With a baseball pro playing for the Philippines in an international league and heightening the morale of the entire PH baseball team, I believe we are presented with the opportunity to showcase to the world how great Filipino athletes, not just baseball players, are and can be.We hope that being able to make it to the 2021World Baseball Classic will open the doors for more Filipino baseballers to step into the major international baseball leagues.