CNMI to play for third place

The CNMI Major League All-Stars got a chance to salvage third place when they pummeled Indonesia, 12-2, last Wednesday in the 2008 Little League Asia-Pacific Tournament at the Hong Kong Disneyland Resort.

Like their game against New Zealand the day before, the Little Leaguers from Saipan had all facets of their game working for them and improved their record to 3-2 and second behind Pacific Pool champion Guam, which finished 5-0.

The CNMI actually wasn’t assured of the second spot in the division until Guam clobbered Australia, 5-0, in the next game. New Zealand, meanwhile, edged the Philippines, 1-0, in the other Pacific Pool game.

New Zealand, represented here by Bayside Westhaven Little League, thus finished the tourney with a 2-3 mark, the same as Australia’s Hill Little League team and Indonesia’s Jakarta Little League squad. The Philippines’ Tanauan Little League team wound up with a 1-4 win-loss mark.

By virtue of it succeeding the CNMI as Pacific champions, Guam will play Asia Pool champion Hong Kong for the 2008 Little League Asia-Pacific Tournament championship, which was held yesterday. Results, however, were still not available as of press time.

The former Crown Colony advanced to the title bout after beating defending champion Chinese-Taipei, 4-1, Wednesday. It finished with a 5-0 mark.

The loss relegated Taiwan (3-2) to third place in its division after South Korea (4-1) leapfrogged past them in the standings and played the CNMI for third place yesterday.

Other Asia Pool results Wednesday saw South Korea beat Thailand, 10-0, and China blast India, 18-0. Thailand (2-3), China (1-4), and India (0-5) all finished below .500 in the win-loss column.

The winner between Hong Kong and Guam in the 2008 Little League Asia-Pacific Tournament will qualify to compete in the 2008 Little League Series in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, later this summer.

Making up the CNMI Major League All-Stars for the 2008 Little League Asia-Pacific Tournament are Jeremy Rabauliman, Chris Mizer, A.J. Lizama, Ricky Joe Riungel, A.J. Castro, Jared Sablan, Jun Rabauliman, Raymond Saralu, A.J. Lizama, Frankie Camacho, Jonah Flores, Jerome Reyes, Keene Deleon Guerrero, Jeremy Lizama, and Poland Masaharu

Randall Aguon serves as manager and helping him in the dugout are head coach Elmer Sablan and assistant coach Manny Sablan.

Saipan’s best 9-12-year-old ballplayers booked a ticket to the 2008 Little League Asia-Pacific Tournament after beating Rota, 11-1, last June 12 at the Joaquin Ogo Sr. Baseball Field in Sinapalo.

The Little League is a non-profit organization with the objective of promoting health and integrity among the young by organizing baseball events.