Baseball and running

I had coffee with Jesse Bernad yesterday morning and he discussed his plan to set up an organization for Little League Baseball in this part of the country.

Jesse, who transfor-med his passion for baseball, into the Fastball Batting Cages now based at the Aboitiz Sports Field, wants to do more than just get the people swat-ting balls.

He hopes to start a program for those as young as 5 years old to take part in the tee ball event. There are also events for two other age groups and a softball event for girls aged 13 to 16.

Jesse said that when he went to Manila to talk to the people involved in Little League Baseball, he realized that there is no organization in Cebu, which is supposed to be the premiere city of the south.

While Jesse may seem to be taking on this challenge by his lonesome, I know that many of us here have a soft heart for batted sports particularly those who got to play baseball or softball during our younger days.

Just like my fellow alumni of the University of the Philippines in Cebu have tried their hand in softball, which was the centerpiece event of the annual intramurals dur-ing our high school and college days.

I believe that baseball and softball can regain their popularity if batted sports would just get more support not only from government, but also from the private sector particularly the corporate sponsors.

If we can make this take off, we can start a program to build a ball player, who we will groom to make it to Major League Baseball in the United States. This is actu-ally more doable than dreaming of having a local-bred boy make it to the NBA or for our national team to make it to the FIFA World Cup.

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I received a letter yesterday from Dr. Leopold G. Lucero of the Philippine College of Surgeons Central-Eastern Visayas Chapter about the 4th PCS Fun Run on Octo-ber 3 at the Ayala Terraces.

The event starts at 5:30 a.m. and will feature 10-K, 5-K and 3-K events.

The overall coordinator of this run is Dr. Ptere Yb. Mancao, elder brother of my high school classmate, Mark.

The registration fee is pegged at P200 only. The proceeds of the race will benefit the PCS-CEVC Surgical Outreach Systems Foundation.

I understand this is also in relation to the Pink October celebration.

Those who would like to register can contact Miriam Callet at 0917-3248046 or inquire at the PCS Fun Run booth at Ayala Center Cebu.

Doc Leopold said that they are encouraging their members and the surgical residents to join. I also encourage those who would like to show their support to the aware-ness program for cancer to also take part in the event.

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MILESTONES: Happy birthday greetings go to my Tao brother Raymond Alfar, Rosame Odever-Ofianga, Ligaya Rabago, Candice Naomi Borromeo of Camiguin, Jojo Solomon, The Freeman's Jonald Raganas, and Palmy Pe-Tudtud, who are all celebrating today.

Advance greetings go to Dr. Bimbo Cabahug, Carrie Sabello-Senining, Dr. Kathleen Lucero-Tongco, Rhysthl Bacor-Rara, Lovelie Nellas-Chiong, and our uncle Fitz-roy 'Gabbi' Gabbidon.

More power to all of you!