NASSAU, BAHAMAS – In an effort to give back to the local community, professional baseball player Anfernee Seymour will host a youth development clinic on the weekend at the Freedom Farm Baseball Complex.
The two-day camp kicks off at 10 a.m. on Saturday and 2:30 p.m. on Sunday.
“I started playing baseball at the age of three at Freedom Farm, and a lot of older players mentored me and helped me to get to where I am today,” Seymour said about the camp. “Just like those older players mentored me, I want to be here for these kids to help guide them along their journey.
“I also want to help guide them off the field as well. On my journey, I’ve learned that what you do off the field is equally as important as what you do on it. So, we’ll touch on all of those things, along with training tips and drills.”
To ensure the camp was appealing to both young boys and girls, Seymour invited American Olympic softball medalist Natasha Watley to assist him.
“Natasha was one of the first African American players on the United States’ national softball team. She’s also a University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) legend,” he said. “I got in contact with Natasha through my agency, MVP Sports Group. They also got some of the equipment that I plan to give out. Natasha has a foundation in the United States that does similar work and I wanted to be able to do something for the youth here.”
In addition to the clinic, Seymour said he plans to start a non-profit organization to help develop youth sports in the inner city.
“I didn’t want to just work on baseball,” he said. “If I can touch a life or provide an opportunity in baseball or softball, for boys and girls, I would be more than willing to help them achieve their goal.”
Earlier this year, Seymour was promoted to Double-A baseball for the first time in his career when the Miami Marlins assigned him to the Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp.
After he was released by the Atlanta Braves on May 6, Seymour was signed by Miami on May 10 and was subsequently assigned to the Jupiter Hammerheads.
He struggled early in the season with the Fire Frogs prior to his release, but turned his season around with the Hammerheads, recording hits in nine of his first 11 games. In his Hammerheads debut, he opened 2-4 with a two-run home run in a loss to Lucius Fox and the Charlotte Stonecrabs.