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Take me out to the ball game
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Posted on Nov 07 2005
The Saipan Little League Baseball Association has been on a roll for the past few weeks, and while they expect to attract more support from the local business community for the 2006 season, they are gearing up for the most players in its history.
According to recently elected SLLBA president Mike Borja, the rapidly growing organization should field a total of at least 33 teams when the kids in all four divisions take the diamonds on Saturday, Feb. 11, for Opening Day, but that is only where the numbers stand today.
With registration still open to any and all players, coaches, and managers with an eye for the game, the number can increase beyond the current mark, and Borja said that’s just fine with him.
“The more the better. That’s actually our goal—to expand,” he said.
If the number of teams stays the same, there will be 13 Major League teams lining the outfield for opening ceremonies at Antonio Benevente Field on Capitol Hill, eight teams of Junior Leaguers, seven Senior League squads, and five Big League teams ready to go on Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.
When the SLLBA board of directors met with McDonald’s owner Joe Ayuyu to receive his pledge of support for the upcoming season, he said that the growth of the league reflected on the positive appeal that the league has among the kids as well as the progress made by organizers to better the association.
“I am a businessman, so other than feeling good for the kids, when I see the numbers and I see that there’s growth in the number of kids participating it goes back to the job that the board of directors that they have done a good job recruiting more and more kids to play the game,” he said.
With roughly three months before the first pitch crosses home plate, there is still plenty of time to get your team registered with the SLLBA. For more information about entering a team for the 2006 season or about sponsoring a team in the league, contact SLLBA secretary Nora Quitugua by calling 323-9304. Those who have already tossed their hats into the ring for 2006 can also contact Quitugua to answer questions or to obtain any of the necessary forms.
