Rogolifoi to hold BCO certification course on Tinian

Saipan Baseball League coordinator Tony Rogolifoi will resume his series of Baseball Confederation of Oceania coaches and umpires certification courses, as he heads to Tinian later this month to conduct a weeklong seminar.

The BCO certification course on Tinian will run from Jan. 29 to Feb. 2 with the final stage (written exam) expected to be held on Saipan. This will be Rogolifoi’s second stop after holding a separate program in Rota in October last year in cooperation with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs. The eight-member group from Rota concluded the program with the written and practical tests on Saipan last month

The program is in line with the opening of the Little League season. Saipan will also have a separate certification course after the Tinian leg with Rogolifoi hoping to have additional coaches and umpires who will help facilitate the CNMI’s baseball program.

“I’m asking those who will take part in the course on Tinian to be prepared. They called me yesterday to inform me that there would be 10 to 12 who will be taking the courses. Originally, there were only six,” said Rogolifoi.

“Ten to 12 is a good number. It shows that there’s interest in improving the quality of baseball games. I told them that I’ll be on Tinian as soon as all the SBL finals games are over. I also need to be back before the opening of the new SBL season,” he added.

GSM defeated the Boleros, 22-16, last Monday night to win the Masters division title, while the championship game between the Cubs and the Falcons is set at 6:30pm tonight. The Blue Jays-Pirates’ battle for third place was played last night and results of the match were unavailable at press time.

“Everyone needs to be ready. I’m preparing all the materials needed. They will be BCO-certified coaches and umpires after they completed the course,” said Rogolifoi.

Oscar Hocog Quitugua II, Ray Anthony T. Cabrera, Danny King, Jonovan Lizama, Daniel Rangamar Jr., Antonelli Rosario, Ryan Taisacan, and Albert H. Toves are Rota’s new BCO-certified coaches and umpires after they completed the course last month. They earned their certificates after learning the theoretical side and actual officiating of games conducted by Rogolifoi, who is a BCO-certified instructor and umpire. James Miwata, Roy Celis, Tony Satur, and Highness Asanuma are also BCO-certified umpires.

For more information on the BCO certification courses, call Rogolifoi at 234-6672.