Titans Baseball Club - Philippines

Many say that the good old days of Little League could never be relived after you pass it. The mornings where common friends meet at the playing field sharing each other's weekly scoops, while other die-hards throw and catch as they await game time. The atmosphere filled with buzz and excitement as each one anticipates what experience they will get when the umpire utters "Play ball!"

Where the kids usually don't have a clue why their coaches and parents end up in shouting matches with the umpires and officials. Where feeling tense in a game is usually inherited rather than discovered. When the day a kid could go home losing but still feel glorified by a memorable play he had made.

These were the days when every player's adrenalin rush builds up hours before a game and hits rock-bottom as soon as the final count has been made. Where the next thought would always be... "When do we play next?"

Many say that the team spirit and competitive play brought about by alma mater could never be experienced again after one has graduated from it. The endless practice-makes-perfect" sessions all coaches call on their players aiming to pass on some wisdom. The inevitable quarrels within a team essential to developing player chemistry.

How one would always strive to better his game hoping to get off a slump. How a team would put together game plans during outings in search of the winning formula. When rivalries bring out the best in each team. Where the word "collective" always means a lot more than the MVP performance. Where victory is usually the sum of many individual triumphs within a game.

These were the days when every team's adrenalin rush builds up days before opening day and hits rock-bottom the day they are out of the running. Where the next thought would always be... "Where did we go wrong?"

Many wish the glory years of Philippine baseball be revived, but say that it remains a dream. The years when Major League teams from the United States would play a series or two against our very own. When the likes of "the Babe" being struckout by Filipino pitchers was amusing but nothing new to the viewing public.

Many reminisce this period when filling up the outfield bleachers at the Rizal Memorial Baseball Stadium wasn't a problem. The generation where we produced players worthy of international standards. Where legendary batters step up to the plate and feel the aura of the stadium anticipating the outcome of their at-bat. Instances when a star player is humbled while a mediocre player brings in the winning run. It was a time when fans would marvel at pitcher-batter duels and thrill themselves afterwards on how they would have done it.

These were the days when every fan's adrenalin rush builds up innings before the victory of their favorite team and hits rock-bottom the day they have no one else to share it with. Where the next thought would always be... "Why doesn't it last?"

Many people I have met in the past years have expressed at least one or all three of these thoughts. They feel that letting their frustrations out over a beer or two would solve the problem. Like pointing the finger on who's to blame for the game's present status in our country instantly makes them a hero. Foolish to think that producing international champs thru illegitimate means would fast track the process.

Where vested interests always get in the way of doing the right thing. Where being clannish when creating programs become synonymous to "survival-of-the-fittest". And everyone debates over who should get the credit.

They never realize how their actions are actually molding the coming generation. Baseball in our setting hasn't been in the dirt for the past years. It has been such for sometime now.

Many have tried to shed some light on the next thought. Some have been successful while others have failed. Many hold on to the philosophy of "to see is to believe". Let me be another among the many who have witnessed and encountered the Titans experience. To the Titans' beliefs and objectives, their endless efforts in making it happen, the many others whom I have spoken to and need not see to believe... I share your vision.