safe

I have to start with the events of a few nights ago.  First off, I and everyone in our film is safe.  I and a few others were very close to the first bomb but were never really in any danger and didn’t even know what really happened until the next morning.  Thank you to everyone who expressed concern for us, it means a lot.

I debated even mentioning this event at all but based on the media splash it made in the west, it cant be taken lightly.  A really tremendous article appeared in the Daily Monitor here this morning written by Richard Mubiru which reflects how I feel about the event and hopefully what the baseball story we are telling might help combat.  He writes
“When the entire world watched the excellent display by South Africa (world cup hosts) that showed the world that actually Africa is not about famine, HIV/AIDS, disease, war and agony; the terrorist chose to hit Kampala.  In effect, reversing the gains that Africa seem to have won following the memorable soccer tournament.”

The terrorists, which appear to be international factions of the Al-Shabab group operating out of Somalia, whether they meant it or not have put a front page story of war out of Africa across the globe when it should have been a celebration of a job well done by superb hosts South Africa.  It hurts everyone more than they know. 

These boys have an opportunity to fight back in their own way.

I spoke to George about the event the day after as the boys gathered for practice at Sharing.  He reflected exactly what I thought he would, an overall sense of ‘There is nothing we can do.  We just have to be focused on the task at hand.  We go on with our lives.   We’re ready to go play some baseball.’  For better or worse, the international community would be surprised to see the brush it off attitude that most Ugandans have about events like this. George even told me ‘It’s not as bad as Kony in Gulu, so people will be okay.’  This wont change the boys or their focus, but it might change the impact of a victory.  These terrorists may have just raised their stakes a small notch… whether they meant it or not.

So here is the team.  You know them.  They’ve been training their butts off at the complex and have now returned to the city to prepare to fly on Friday.  George has a good problem on his hands with too many good pitchers, too many good hitters, and too many good infielders. 

Kid has stepped up in training to be the offensive and pitching star and might even get the start against the Saudis, Ivan continues to excel with excellent natural ability despite his mechanical flaws, Opio has been pounding the strike zone with his nearly subarm delivery, Tony has grown confidence on the mound and could have a big impact as the power lefty he was also voted to be the team captain, Arthur is hitting the ball the hardest on the whole team and makes just about all the plays at third base, Ashraf has turned into a versatile player that pitches and plays just about anywhere, Augustus has claimed second base by getting to every ball on his side of the infield, Ochen has shown the leadership to man centerfield, Solomon owns left field and has been crushing the ball, Frank has honed his swing and when he makes contact is lining it well, Mark has shown enough to be the backup third baseman and be trusted to put the ball in play with authority, Jonah still surprises by finding ways to get on base and make the catch given his small frame. 

In other words… they’re ready.

Keep an eye on the facebook page for semi-live updates of their scores out of Poland (Games begin on the 20th and depending on how many teams play they will conclude on the 24th or 25th).  Depending on who I talk to they have anywhere from a 10 to 90 percent chance of winning.  So as they say, that’s why they play the games.