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Little League teams stay home
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Posted on Dec 29 2011
Saipan Little Leaguers did not receive government funding this year to compete in their respective Asia-Pacific Regional tournaments last June.
According to CNMI Little League assistant director Mike Borja, funding needed to send the four teams to their respective off-islands tournaments cost between $120,000 and $200,000.
The CNMI Big Division All-Stars somehow managed to raise funds and made its way to compete in its ASPAC event in the Philippines and the Major All-Stars were fortunate to receive funds needed to participate in its ASPAC tournament held in neighboring Guam.
However the 2010 ASPAC champion CNMI Senior All-Stars did not get a chance to defend their title in the Philippines. Ditto with the CNMI Junior All-Stars who failed to make it to their regional event in Jakarta, Indonesia.
Two out of four Little League teams staying home instead of going to the regionals should serve as a wakeup call for those involved in the local Little League program, which has taken a turn for the worse in recent years.
Current CNMI District Administrator James Ada is serving the final year of his contract this upcoming season and the Saipan Little League is in the process of overhauling its management team under newly elected president Juan I. Tenorio.
