SLLB eyes Feb. 13 opening, receives donated equipment

From left, Nolan Kluge, Jaimeson Mooney, and Torin Mooney, and umpire James Patocka, back row, pose with the baseball equipment San Carlos Little League of San Diego, California, donated to Saipan Little League. (Contributed Photo)

The Saipan Little League Baseball got a timely donation from San Carlos Little League in San Diego.

San Carlos LL, through Fielders manager Pat Tenorio, turned over used bats, catcher’s gear, and helmets to SLLB officials last Friday or less than a month before the island’s biggest sports program for the youth opens its 2016 season. The new SLLB competition will start on Feb. 13.

“On behalf of the entire SLLB family, I would like to take this opportunity to thank the San Carlos Little League organization in San Diego, California, its president Mike Bitter, and the players for this generous donation to our Little League program,” said SLLB president A.J. Murig, who was joined in the turnover ceremony by the various team managers.

“It (donation) goes to show that the Little League program is not just a program but also a family. We will continue to build bridges and strengthen this youth program. This donation is a big assistance to our program here and I appeal to our people residing in San Diego to also thank the San Carlos Little League and continue to support the program there. The same goes to the rest of our people residing in different states—I encourage them to support the Little League programs in their area,” the SLLB head added.

With the new season just around the corner, Murig is calling all team officials to comply with the league requirements.

“We are trying to stick with this date (Feb. 13) so we encourage all teams to get their papers ready so we can verify them before the season starts,” Murig said.

As of yesterday, 24 teams have registered for the 2016 season with 10 of them entered in the Major, four each in the Junior and Senior League divisions, and six in the Big League. However, the number of participants could still change as SLLB is still entertaining inquiries from other interested teams. Major division matches will be played at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield, while games in the three other categories will take place at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

“As for now, unless lights are fixed before Feb. 13, we will be having Big League games on weekends, so the weekend schedule for Saturdays and Sundays will be one game for each division—Junior, Senior, and Big League—at the Tan Ko Field,” Murig said.