Belize City, May 2, 2008 - The International Softball Federation (ISF) inducted the Belize Softball Federation’s former commissioner Hilberto “Hilly” Martinez into the ISF  Hall of Fame at a banquet hosted by the Belize Softball Fedration at the Belize Biltmore Plaza Hotel on Friday, with ISF Secretary General Andrew Loechner officiating at the induction ceremony.

ISF's Andrew Loechner congratulates Hall of Famer Hilly Martinez

Martinez has made a stellar contribution to the development of the sport in Belize since he was a member of the Belize delegation when Belize’s softball girls won gold at the Central American and Caribbean Games in Santo Domingo in 1974.

He went on to become Assistant BSF Commissioner, leading the Belize delegation to the Pan Am Games in Puerto Rico, where the Belize girls won 2-1 over the mighty US of A but had to be content with the bronze medal in 1979. As Commissioner, he led the Belize team in 1983 when they won bronze again at the Pan Am games in Caracas, Venezuela. Under his leadership, Belize went on to win silver medals in 1984 at the Central American softball championships in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico and in 1986 at the XV Central American & Caribbean Games in the Dominican Republic.

Martinez ensured the Belizean softball girls remained in top form by making sure the Belizean public appreciated their international achievements. He found people to fund the lights for the Rogers Stadium, obtained the first electronic pitching machine for Belize, and scheduled participation in regional tournaments to sharpen the national team’s skills.

Three other Belizean hall of famers who were with Martinez in his glory years were present to add their words of praise and congratulations, pitcher Linda Reyes, coach Raymond Lashley and former BSF president Patricia Bennett. Minister of Sports Marcel Cardona, BSF Assistant Secretary General Delcie Franklin-Lizama,, Belize Olympic Association President Edward Pitts, and Owen “Sonny” Meighan also added their words of praise and well-wishes.