Babauta welcomes back Little Leaguers

The CNMI Little League All-Star team presented the trophy and banner that they earned this past week in the Asia/Pacific Regional Baseball Tournament to Gov. Juan N. Babauta yesterday afternoon at his office in exchange for words of praise.

The governor expressed his sense of pride as he congratulated them for their efforts in the games and for representing the Commonwealth. He also explained how pleased he was that he was able to meet them as they arrived at the airport from Guam on Wednesday evening.

The governor thanked the players for doing a terrific job in Guam, and also recognized the people that provided them with the necessary support along the way.

“I want to congratulate you for working as a team. Baseball is not the sport of a one-man team. It is a game that has to have everybody working together, and what you did in Guam is how teamwork works. Not only did you demonstrate teamwork on the field, but the parents, the coaches, and the managers also worked together as a team so congratulations to all of you–from the administrator on down to managers, and the parents especially. I’m really impressed with the parents. You guys are just outstanding.”

The governor went on to express his confidence in the boys’ ability to continue their winning ways in the mainland, as well as giving them a little incentive to win.

“Cong. Underwood was just here, and he was telling me that in our paper we have the headline banners that the CNMI Little League had won, but in the PDN—you know how sometimes very subtly, how we’re kind of rivals with Guam? He said that it was amazing how the PDN reported that Guam lost the little league, but they didn’t say who they lost to, and no mention of the CNMI winning. Who did they lose to? That’s what we’re interested in knowing. But you know Guam and everybody else will know who beat Guam when you guys win the World Series in Williamsport.”

The Little League All-stars will be going to South Williamsport, Pennsylvania to face the top teams from Mexico, the Caribbean and the Trans-Atlantic team, and team manager Tony Benevente knows what must be done to get the boys ready for the pinnacle of the sports.

“We’ve got two weeks to prepare for Williamsport. We’re going to do a lot better, a lot more aggressive training, a lot more conditioning and speed because that’s what we need. We’re going against three good teams in Mexico, Caribbean, and Trans-Atlantic. Knowing how they play, knowing their skills and knowing their talent, these kids are good.”

After pulling out amazing victories over the competition, Benevente shared some of the philosophy that brought home the banner.

“The first day against Guam we were all psyched out. The kids were looking at the fans instead of watching the game. The next day we were okay and we finally made it. They picked up their bats and picked up their momentum and knowing how we trained them, they were ready. I told them if they wanted it so bad, that they gotta do it, earn it. You can’t be giving up.”

Justin Alexander explained how he scored the game-winning run in the final game against Indonesia. “I’m sitting there on third base and all of a sudden there was a wild pitch. I just went as fast as I could and I crossed the plate.”

Earning a trip to the Little League World Series is a dream come true for All-Star R-Jay Joe. “It was my dream to go to Pennsylvania and I finally made it,” said the standout slugger.

An experienced baseball player himself, Benevente seems just as excited as the boys themselves, “It’s a thrill of a lifetime. This one’s the best, this one’s the tops, this is the Little League World Series! This is the dream that everybody, every manager, every Little League player wants to go to. Finally we’re there and we’ll be on our way to South Williamsport, PA.”

Saipan Little League president Joe Borja shared his goals for the league with the boys as well. “One person from Guam said ‘Mr. Borja, you’ve reached your goal.’ I looked at him and I said ‘No. We have not reached our goal. Yes, this is a preliminary goal, but my goal is to see at least one person from the CNMI in the Major League. That is my goal.’ So you see young people, it is not over yet. Let’s continue working together. There will be obstacle, that’s life. We beat Indonesia with a population of millions and millions. We beat the Philippines with a population of millions and millions. We also beat Guam with a population of thousands and thousands. Here we are on this small rock in the Pacific, the Pacific champions. What does that tell you? It tells you that it’s not the size that counts, it’s what’s in here (points to the head) and in here (points to the heart) that counts.”