QUEBEC, Canada:--- St. Maarten's own Felix Brown is another step closer on his quest that is shared by so many other baseball players around the world; competing in the Major Leagues. A local athlete whose parents were royally honored in 2013 for their service to the baseball community, Felix is now in spring camp pursuing his dream in yet another remarkable location this summer. The next stop in his professional career lies in a place thought by many to remain in freezing temperatures for the much of the year; Quebec, Canada with the Trois- Rivieres Aigles. Although the weather outside may be cold, Mr. Brown had an excellent past year and is ready to bring the island heat to the Can-Am League!
The increasing momentum that drove him to have an amazing year started last spring when Felix signed with the Hilo Stars in Hawaii a team in the Pacific Association of Professional Baseball. The excitement of playing for the first time as a professional in the United States gave him the motivation to succeed no matter what the odds. "They say games in Hawaii never get cancelled, which should be great for an aspiring ball player," says Brown. "What they don't tell you is you'll be playing through pouring rain for multiple innings at a time, requiring you to push yourself even harder." And push he did; he ended the season with a .220 average with the Stars, stealing 8 bases in 11 tries. In his 123 plate appearances he delivered 30 hits and 12 RBIs, stats that provide a documented tribute to his success in baseball.
The year continued to bless Mr. Brown with more opportunities as the French National Team invited him to participate with them in two training camps, one in October 2013 in Tampa, FL and one in March 2014 in Phoenix, AZ. While the team may not have been the top contender, they were able to gain significant experience playing against top prospects of MLB minor league affiliate teams. In addition, Felix was able to present himself to scouts that came to watch the camp games, opening the door for future opportunities in his baseball career.
Felix has worked hard and been pursued by many teams all over the world. When asked what motivates him he said, "Baseball is more than just a game to me; I have dedicated a good portion of my life to making it in the big league one day. But what really drives me is to play in these different locations and being able to represent St. Maarten because most people don't have a clue where it is."
Felix has experienced and lived in various cultures, all of which helped teach him the differences in the game in each country. In knowing how the game differs between cultures, he has an advantage over other players and a better understanding of how to blend these different cultural techniques to better his playing abilities. It also allows him to know what to expect and how to react when playing against these diverse opponents, something many players may not recognize until the game has already started. This skill is something that makes him stand out and consistently peaks scouts' interests.
Since he started living out his aspiration at the age of seven, Felix has traveled to over 15 countries across three continents including Canada, Japan, France, Panama, Czech Republic, Hawaii and almost all of the Caribbean islands that play organized baseball. One of his first invitations was to play in Bonaire at the age of eight with the local 8-12 year old selection in the Antillean Games. Ten years later he received a college scholarship to Ohio Dominican University that took him to the USA, where he received the award of Athlete of the Year in his senior year. From there, his passion continued to drive him and anyone who sees him in action can tell that he truly loves the game.
"I realize in life, just like in baseball, you need to have a good team," Felix acknowledges. "So I want to thank the St. Maarten Pony Baseball League, Eric Gagne, Trois-Rivieres Aigles, friends and family for all the help and support, and of course my fiancée who lets me be away for most of the year and encourages me to keep pursuing my dream."
For most people, playing a professional sport is something that remains a fantasy. Although it has not been an easy journey and many hardships were endured, Mr. Brown has proved that it is possible to make that hope a reality.
Written by Liz Ferrara
