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11 participate in Rota coaches, umpires clinic
Saipan Baseball League coordinator Tony Rogolifoi answers questions from participants of the coaches and umpire clinic in Rota last week. (Contributed Photo)
Eleven Rota residents participated in the weeklong coaches and umpires certification clinic conducted by Saipan Baseball League coordinator Tony Rogolifoi.
Not even the inclement weather could stop Rogolifoi from sharing his technical knowledge of the sport to Rota residents. The certification clinic began with the three-day umpires’ course, from last Tuesday to Thursday, and followed by the coaches lessons in the weekend and the written test last Monday. The coaches and umpires clinics, held in partnership with the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs, discussed the theory and technical side of baseball.
Rogolifoi said that after conducting the clinic Rota, the next plan is to bring the participants to Saipan for another test and have them umpire some games in the SBL’s Under-25 division.
“The test will be on the actual theory and technical side of the game. They will umpire some games here for a few days. If they pass, we’re going to award them with the certificates,” Rogolifoi said in an interview with Saipan Tribune yesterday.
“There was not enough time so I spoke with [DCCA Rota] director Maggie Mesngon to continue with the course and clinic here on Saipan for the final stage of the coaches and umpires’ certification,” added the Baseball Confederation of Oceania-certified coach and umpire.
The second part of the coaches and umpires certification course is expected to finish sometime in November or December.
“This is a Level 1 course under BCO. The final part need to be the actual games, on the field—for both coaches and umpires,” said Rogolifoi.
