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Labor Day tournament in Portland: A family reunion
I was in Portland, Oregon, for the annual Chamorro Labor Day Baseball Tournament and it was an experience that I will carry with me for the rest of my life.
I went there expecting to see a hundred or more locals and a few teams but the numbers were just astounding. There were 22 teams and the crowd was way over a thousand and approaching 2,000, which may qualify this annual event as one of the biggest family reunions on Planet Earth as I’m sure almost everyone there is related to some degree if we could trace them all back in history. There were people who had set up tents with local food and tailgating near the entrances so before you could even get in, they were making everyone feel right at home, offering you free local food way over there in Portland. It was just great!
While there was competition in the various baseball fields in the complex, there was a lot of greetings and “glad to see you” being expressed throughout the complex. I was just overwhelmed by my former students who were constantly yelling, “Hey, Mr. B” and coming up from behind to grab me. It was a teacher’s dream come true to see so many of my former students grown up with family, good jobs and careers, and living the American Dream. The only sad part was that many of my former students would rather be back in the CNMI living the American dream but they had no choice as opportunities and prosperity does not presently exist for our youth in the CNMI.
From the moment I got there until the day we left, I felt so welcomed and even appreciated for just being a member and contributor to the local society. I want to thank the founders, especially my late Uncle Gere, along with Mrs. Yvette Sablan for the pictures and the rest of the organizers for starting this great Labor Day experience that has clearly become much more than just a baseball tournament—it’s a dangkulu local reunion that every local should experience at least once in their lifetime, just like the Muslims are encouraged to visit Mecca for the experience at least once in their lifetime. I can guarantee it will be an experience you will treasure for the rest of your life just like I will and I’m not local, which is revealing as to the true beauty of the experience as it is truly a family reunion. (By AMBROSE M BENNETT, Special to the Saipan Tribune)
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Message of appreciation
Ten years ago in Salem, Oregon, on a weekend after a fun softball game, three teams (Salem Trenchers, Portland Tugong, and Washington’s Island Boys) sat and discussed the idea of inviting teams from nearby states to come together for a friendly game of softball. The idea broadened to the importance of unity and keeping our pride and culture alive, such that our children will remember our event(s) and understand that there are more of us out here, and that no matter the distance, our island spirit brings us together.
The tournament’s been hosted by Oregon (2), Washington (2), Idaho (2), Nevada (1), California (1), and Arizona (1). Through the years, we have witnessed little boys eventually grow to play alongside their father or even our youth becoming daddies. We’ve had many families and friends reunite after years of loss of communication or friendship(s) restored and/or even newly established. Year after year, the number of attendees has been increasing as the word spread, and the event held up to its reputation as meaningful, fun, festive, and a memorable family event.
This event however, would not be possible without the hard work of the committee members, the teams and spectators, and equally important, the individuals that supported and contributed one way or another.
In closing, it is our hope that we will continue to see our children and children’s children carry the bats, bases, and balls to many more fields of gatherings. Si Yu’us Ma’ase yan Olomwaay!
COMMITTEE MEMBERS:
Chair: Len Wayne Maratita
Treasurer: Deena Boyer-Salas
Secretary: Yvette Sablan
SUBCOMMITTEE:
Fundraising: Chair, Rod Sablan
Entertainment/Planning: Chair, Kelvin Duenas & Co-chair Lief Pangelinan
Banquet: Chair, Ruth Quitugua & Co-chair Beck Duenas
Logistics: Chair, Marvin Ada
Members (Team Managers): Daniel “Jun” Quitugua (Team Ifit)
Joe Seman (670Rebels)
Jay Mundo (Trenchers)
CONFIRMED TEAMS:
1. Maga’lahi-Idaho
2. Pac-chain-Idaho
3. Isao-Las Vegas
4. Figu-Washington
5. Machalapun-Washington
6. Hustlers-Washington
7. Chagi-Aghala-Washington
8. Bulacheru Kings-Washington
9. Marianas Islander 670-Washington
10. Typhoons-California
11. Kmmnwlth-California
12. Sakudi-California
13. Ifit-Portland, Oregon
14. 670 Rebels- Portland, Oregon
15. Kimason-Portland, Oregon (formerly Team Tugong)
16. Trenchers- Salem, Oregon
17. Sufa-Saipan
18. Marianas Built-Saipan
19. Chagi North-Saipan
20. Atmarao-Arizona
21. Figan-Arizona
22. Pinigan-Saipan
23. Brothers in Arms-Soldiers (last minute change of name to BIRAK)
CHAMPS (and Venue):
2005: Portland, Tugong (Salem, Oregon)
2006: Makpo, Saipan (Enumclaw, Washington)
2007: Adai Hao, Idaho (Boise, Idaho)
2008: Saolak, Vegas (Vegas, Nevada)
2009: Taga, California (Escondido, California)
2010: Island Boys, Washington (Kent, Washington)
2011: Pac Chain, Boise Idaho (Portland, Oregon)
2012: Machalapun (Boise, Idaho)
2013: Chamlau (Gilbert, Arizona)
2014: Pac-Chain, Boise (Portland, Oregon)
Homerun Derbies
2006: Eric Palacios, Team Makpo, Saipan
2011: Wilton Ngotel, Kmmnwlth, California
2014: Phillip Manalo, Hustlers, Washington
