Five young baseball players from Fiji are participating in the 30th World Children’s Baseball Foundation Fair in Fukuoka Prefecture, Japan. This prestigious event, established in 1989, runs from July 28 to August 5.
The players, who all hail from strong baseball family backgrounds, include Litin Lee from Veiuto Primary, Teitiaki Randolph from Arya Samaj Primary, Sakaia Tauvoli and Isoa Toduadua from Suva Methodist Primary, and Ronald Niubalavu from Stella Maris Primary School. Lee and Randolph are members of the Eagles Baseball Club in Raiwai, while Tauvoli and Toduadua are part of the Nadonumai Marines Club in Lami. Niubalavu plays for the Central Hummingbirds Club.
The Fiji Islands Baseball and Softball Association (FIBSA) selected these five active and consistent players as part of its long-term development initiative. During the fair, the youngsters participate in morning baseball clinics led by coaches appointed by the World Baseball Softball Confederation, focusing on the fundamentals of the game in an engaging and fun environment.
In addition to on-field activities, the event celebrates cultural diversity, with children taking part in various cultural and recreational events each afternoon and evening, including a homestay experience in one of nine cities.
The team’s development officer expressed excitement about the opportunity, stating, “This is a unique opportunity for some of our young baseball stars and promises to be a life-changing experience. Additionally, we are thrilled with the international relationships we have built with Japanese Baseball over the years, which is arguably the top baseball country in the world.”
The mission of the organization is to share the dream of friendship and teamwork with children globally, fostering these values through international baseball events, social interaction, and skill development.