30 show up for first day of tryouts

A total of 30 players showed up for the first day of tryouts at the Oleai Sports Complex for the CNMI National Baseball Team for next year’s Pacific Mini Games. (MARK RABAGO)

The CNMI’s quest to defend its gold medal in next year’s Pacific Mini Games on home turf formally started last Saturday when a total of 30 players showed up for the first day of tryouts at the Oleai Sports Complex.

While CNMI Baseball National Team manager Manny Sablan was encouraged with the turnout on Day 1 of the tryouts, he expects the number to grow as they continue their tryouts during the next few weeks.

“I think there’s still more of them who didn’t make it today. But will see on Monday because we set a schedule—Monday, Wednesday, Friday. It starts at 6pm until 7:30pm… I’m impressed [with those who showed up]. A lot of them I played with during the all-stars throughout the years. We’re looking at selecting the best of the best,” he said.

Reiterating what SBL president Jay Santos said earlier, Sablan said the first order of business during the start of the tryouts is to get the players back in baseball shape and that’s where strength and conditioning coach Joey Tudela comes in.

“Coach Joey will start with conditioning first and then probably on the third week, will try to squeeze it on a Saturday, we will start to see their skills on the field—fielding, batting, and throwing” he said, adding that they eventually will pare down the selection to 20 players with 10 alternates or practice players.

Coaches Deron Flores and Gary Cruz, meanwhile, thanked the 30 players who woke up bright and early to participate in the first day of the tryouts.

“We just want to thank all the ballplayers that came out. We’d like to thank Saipan Baseball League as this has been a long time coming. Our national pastime is baseball and as you can see with the participation today. These guys have the passion, the blood, the heart to play ball,” said Flores.

While baseball in the CNMI has encountered many challenges the past couple of years, Flores assured that he, Sablan, and Cruz will do their best to defend the Mini Games gold medal next year.

“We’ve always said this in the past, the CNMI may not have all the height, but we have the heart to play ball and we’re gonna make sure—with our manager and our coaches—that we’re gonna get the boys game-ready for the 2022 Mini Games.”

Tudela said his initial goal was just get the guys moving in Day 1 of the tryouts.

Saipan Baseball League president Jay Santos gives players trying out for the national team a pep talk after Day 1 of tryouts last Saturday. (MARK RABAGO)

“Nothing too serious we just opened up their lungs and get a couple of stretches and see how they move. It wasn’t to break them or anything. We’re just trying to get them in baseball shape so when they start playing baseball they can at least be at their physical best to play the game. I’m not gonna be teaching them how to play baseball that’s for the national team coaches to do,” he said.

Among the players who tried out, there was a mix of excitement and relief that baseball is finally back after 2-3 years of absence due to Super Typhoon Yutu and the COVID-19 pandemic.

“First day back after a couple of years it was hard but it was good. We’re slowly getting started. It’s great to see the boys out. Yeah, it’s a good feeling knowing that baseball is coming back. I’m excited that it’s starting again,” said Tyrone Omar, who admitted he’d done absolutely nothing associated with baseball because of the coronavirus.

Ben Jones said he feels like young again playing his favorite sport.

“It’s great to come back. It feels like the first day of Little League All-Star practice. I’m not even in the team yet so I got to earn my spot here. I got to come in and grind. I’m very happy to see all the boys that came out. We’re missing a lot more boys so if you guys hear it, please come out because we have to represent our CNMI team and defend our hometown,” he said.

Jones added while baseball is not officially back, he’s just happy to be in a baseball field again.

“I can’t really tell you how happy I am right now I’m so ecstatic to be here I couldn’t really sleep last night. It’s so good to come back here and play. Right now the only thing I could predict is the CNMI will come out and push hard in practice.”

Nathan Smith, a veteran of the Micronesian Baseball Classic, said it was a good Day 1 of the tryouts.

“It was a good first practice. A lot of us are feeling the long offseason because it’s been awhile since we last played. The last time we played competitively was in the Micronesian Baseball Classic in January 2020. It’s been a little while so it’s really good to go out here and get our bodies moving and get ready for this.”

The former varsity high school baseball player from Southern California said the tryouts made sense considering there’s hasn’t been a Saipan Baseball League season the past couple of years.

“Like the coaches earlier said, usually the selection process is done at the end of the SBL season. But we didn’t have that. It’s usually based on your performance during the league and stats during the season but it’s almost two years since we have competitively played here. So it makes sense to have this tryout process,” he said.

SBL Jay Santos also gave a pep talk to the players trying out where he assured them that they all have his and the SBL board’s full support.

“We assure you we will give you all the tools you need to succeed. That’s my responsibility and that’s the board’s responsibility. All we’re asking is for you guys to make the sacrifice,” he said.