Local sponsors show support for 2012 Little League

  McDonald’s and Pacific Amusement this week confirmed their renewal of support to the Saipan Little League Baseball Inc.’s upcoming 2012 season.

The season is set to open on Feb. 18 at the Oleai Sports Complex.

McDonald’s and Pacific Amusement are some of the very first companies to announce their return as sponsors for the program this week.

They will be the major sponsors to a pair of major division teams. The major division age group includes players ages 9 to 12 that play their games at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Ballfield.

McDonald’s will field its self-titled squad again this season, while Rays will suit up for Pacific Amusement.

The sponsors recently handed over funds to pay for the $500 entrance fee and also plan to foot the bill for their teams’ uniforms once the respective coaching staffs finalize their rosters and submit the orders.

“We are very happy to be a part of the Little League program and hope that our early entry encourages other sponsors to come out and support the youth,” said McDonald’s Saipan president Joe Ayuyu in an interview Thursday.

Ayuyu added, “The SLLBI is a great program to keep kids out of trouble and it also enables youngsters to learn important life and team-building skills. I also encourage the parents to come out and support their kids during the season because it’s really all about having fun together as a family. I know the kids will enjoy the experience so much more, knowing that their families are right their behind them. We are proud to be associated with youth baseball, and are happy to donate the needed funds, but parent involvement on the other end will make everything much more worthwhile.”

“We really appreciate the relationship we have built with McDonald’s over the past 11 years because without them, and all of the other sponsors, none of this would be possible,” said McDonald’s manager Patrick Tenorio, who was also present during Thursday’s interview.

McDonald’s was in a developmental stage last season and finished near the back of the pack, however they have seven returning players and have enlisted new coaches Cadiz Tenorio and Jose Villagomez.

The new coaches are current Saipan Major League players from the Fielders that graduated through the SLLBI program years ago. The new duo is younger and more energetic than last year’s staff and is looking forward to getting the boys ready for an improved season. McDonald’s has been practicing twice a week in San Vicente since November 2011.

Notably, James Sablan will be keeping track of statistics for the team.

Rays is comprised mostly of Koblerville residents.

The group reached the playoffs last year in its very first season together, but was eliminated in the first round. The majority of the team is returning this year and is eagerly awaiting the season opener in February.

Ken Kalen and Eric Palacios coach the group.

In addition, Pacific Amusement donated some baseball equipment to the Rays.

The team received a dozen baseball gloves, a set of throw down bases with which they can use at practice, five new baseball bats, some baseballs, a set of catcher’s gear, and all players received a pair of cleats and a tote bag to hold all their stuff.