Marianas Cup runneth over

With the 2005 South Pacific Mini Games rapidly approaching, the finest fast-pitch softball players of Saipan are busy honing their skills to prepare for the best competition that the region has to offer.

While the softball fields of Palau will not be featuring the talented slow-pitch players from around the CNMI, Miller Lite will offer the area’s best a chance to earn their druthers against their island brothers by hosting the 3rd Annual Marianas Softball Cup.

The carnival of mountain ball returns in two weeks as the top teams from Saipan will go head to head upon the hitter-friendly confines of Tan Ge Softball Field at the Oleai Sports Complex.

The tentative date for the longball-athon to get under way is Friday, July 15, and if the schedule holds up, it will continue through until the championship on Sunday, July 17. However, according to tournament organizers, if possible they would like the tournament started earlier, possibly the week starting July 10.

While the definite date is still to be determined, tournament coordinator Bob Guerrero said that there will be a meeting for all interested teams next week Thursday, July 7, in the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium at 5:30pm.

Aside from the trophies awarded to the winners, detailed information about the prizes in the Saipan tournament are still not available, but an assortment of cash and prizes are already secured for the softball extravaganza across the channel.

While the dates for the Saipan tournament are still up in the air, the teams on Guam are busy putting the finishing touches on their tournament to prepare for the showdown with the best from the CNMI on Tinian on Sunday, July 23.

The islands of Rota and Tinian will be putting together their ultimate swatting squads for the match up as well, and all that waits is the top team from Saipan.

To earn a slot into the final four, teams need to submit their $150 registration fee at next week’s meeting, where organizers will explain the rules, answer questions, and take suggestions about the weeknight option.

One rule that is set in stone for the modified co-ed tournament is that at least one female must be on the field defensively at all times. For more information about the Marianas Softball Cup, contact tournament coordinator Guerrero by calling 285-7261, 664-6070, or 235-1580.