Borja is new SLLB president

The Saipan Little League Baseball has a new president in Mike Borja who was elected to the highest position in SLLB last week.

Borja is replacing outgoing president Juan I. Tenorio.

Other officers elected were Ben Taitano, vice president; Annie Flores, treasurer; Rose Igitol, secretary; Tony Rogolifoi and Roque Celis, statisticians; Ben Manalo, safety officer; and Walter Macaranas, players agent.

Borja, who served as vice president of the SLLB in the past several years, said he is excited to buckle down to work for the opening of the 2009 season.

He added that they will open the 2009 Saipan Little League Baseball early, as the district and regional tournaments are also moved to an earlier date.

“We’re looking to start the league in January, as besides the early schedule for the district and regional tournaments, we are also expecting more teams to join the league this year. The earlier we start, the better for our players who will then prepare for the district and regional meets,” Borja said.

The 2009 SLLB season is set to open tentatively on Jan. 10.

The SaipanCell Patriots are the defending champions in the Majors and will gun for their fourth title in a row. Three other teams will aim to defend their titles, namely the Kagman Lion Hearts (Junior League), Jets (Senior League), and Tanapag Falcons (Big League).

Borja said at least five more teams are interested in joining the Majors, which had 15 teams last year. Several new squads are also planning to compete in the Juniors, Seniors, and Big League.

“We would like to accommodate as many teams as possible that’s why we want to start the league early,” the new SLLB president said

Borja is calling on coaches/managers of interested teams to attend a meeting this Saturday at 10am at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium’s conference room.

Borja said if they start the league on January as planned, they are hoping to conclude the season mid-May and proceed with the CNMI District Tournament early June.

Saipan will be hosting the district meet.

Hong Kong will be hosting the Junior, Senior, and Big League divisions in the 2009 Asia Pacific Regional Tournament late June, while the Majors qualifier will be held in Hong Kong.

Teams which will top the regional meet will compete in the World Series.

Last year, Saipan dominated the district meet, but only the Big League All-Stars made it to the World Series in Easley, South Carolina. The CNMI Big Leaguers were winless in last year’s Little League World Series.

For more information on SLLB, contact Borja at 322-0340 or 285-1980.