Bahamians Help Great Britain in First World Baseball Classic

NASSAU, BAHAMAS – Bahamians Anfernee Seymour and D’Shawn Knowles helped lead Great Britain to its first-ever appearance in the World Baseball Classic, defeating Spain by a score of 10-9 to win the Regensburg qualifiers Tuesday night.

Despite being behind for nine innings to a Spanish team stacked with former Major Leaguers, falling to a score of 8-3 in the fourth inning, Knowles and Seymour kept Great Britain in the game until the end of regulation.

Catcher, 20-year-old top Toronto Blue Jays prospect Jaden Rudd, took the opportunity to tie the game 9-9 with a dramatic one-run homer in the 9th inning.

Great Britain would go on to win it in the 10th when Alex Crosby, a career independent league player, drove in Matt Koperniak on a sacrifice fly to deep left field.

Both Bahamian players were instrumental in securing the win for Britain. Knowles went 3-5 with three RBI and a two-run home run. Seymour went 2-3 with a walk and stole two bases.

After the game, Seymour planted the Union Jack at home plate and joined his teammates in singing God Save the King. The singing of the national anthem must have been a moment of catharsis, given that most of Great Britain and her former colonies are still mourning the recent passing of Queen Elizabeth II after a 70-year reign.

Great Britain will play in pool A of the World Baseball Classic in Taiwan next March.