Kings battle for title this weekend

After spending months swinging for the fences, the top softball teams from Guam, Palau, and Saipan are putting all of the bragging rights on the line as the King of the Diamonds Softball Tournament kicks off this weekend.

Last year’s home grown champions No Ka Oi will face Da Boyz from Guam, Selsoam from Palau, and Saipan’s Survivors to defend their crown at the Dan Dan Elementary School Field through a two day affair that kicks off this Friday, Nov. 10.

After playing qualification rounds at their home stadiums, all four teams have played in three rounds in their respective islands and have competed with as many as 20 teams to win the title to represent their islands here in Saipan.

After winning it all in Palau last year, the defending champion No Ka Oi squad received an automatic entry into this year’s event so Saipan will be represented by two teams in the tournament as each island fields one team in the Tournament of Champions.

The champions from the Guam and Palau qualification tournaments received all expense paid trips to Saipan compliments of Budweiser and Continental.

“We’ve been amazed by the talent of the players competing in the Budweiser King of the Diamonds tournaments. We’re excited to give softball players the additional exposure for their love of softball and to play a role in their success. All four teams are champions already just by making it to the final round here in Saipan,” said Ambros Inc. general manager Tom Shimizu.

The Budweiser King of the Diamonds Softball Tournament got started this past February and over 60 squads have laced up the cleats and oiled their mitts in Guam, Palau, and Saipan for a chance at becoming champions.

According to event coordinators, hundreds of spectators flocked to the Yelch Softball Stadium in Airai State in Palau for last year’s tournament. While the majority of fans were rooting for the home team, a large contingent stuck around to watch Saipan edge Guam in the championship.

Following this weekend’s slate of games, the folks from Budweiser will treat all four teams to a dinner awards banquet on Saturday, Nov. 11, as well as a daylong barbecue on Managaha on Sunday, Nov 12.

Organizers explained that the tournament would not have been possible without the support of the management of Aquarius Beach Towers in Chalan Kanoa and their main sponsor Continental Airlines

For more information about the King of the Diamonds Tournament, contact Casey Truong by calling (671) 477-1826 or via email at ctruong@ambrosguam.com.