33 teams join Little League opening

  Aside from a minor rain delay on Saturday morning, Saipan Little League Baseball Inc.’s 2012 season was sanctified with a well-received opening ceremony followed by a handful of games.

The ceremony took place at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield after about an hour delay as Department of Community and Cultural Affairs staff scrambled to try and doctor the muddy infield. After the foul lines were drawn in with the batter’s box, all 33 teams paraded along the outer infield grass. After the recognition of each team, Kagman High School Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps marched up to the pitcher’s mound for the posting of the colors, while the Kagman Elementary School Umang Glee Club sang the U.S. national and CNMI anthems.

Father Rey Rosal later did the invocation, while SLLBI president Juan I. Tenorio, acting governor Eloy S. Inos, Senator Juan M. Ayuyu, House Floor Leader George N. Camacho, and Saipan Mayor Donald G. Flores delivered welcoming remarks. The group thanked everyone for coming out and reminded the crowd that bringing families closer together is part of what the youth program is all about.

CNMI District Administrator James Ada was also in attendance and provided the closing remarks. Ada then presented SLLBI vice president Ray Yumul with the SLLBI official charter, which was approved last week. He also announced that umpires James Miwata and Michael Muna were selected to represent the CNMI in the Little League World Series’ junior and senior league tournaments later this August.

The opening was then capped with the ceremonial first pitch with Inos doing the honors.

This year’s Little League competition has drawn 12 teams in the Majors division. The list includes the Bank of Saipan Red Sox, Natibu Sports Association Tanapag Falcons, Rep. Joseph P. Guerrero Dandan Comets, As Matuis Twins, Attorney Robert T. Torres Kagman Little Legals, DPS Dare Program Enforcers, San Vicente A’s, Pacific Amusements Rays, Natibu Tanapag Braves, McDonald’s of Saipan, IT&E, and the IT&E Ol’Aces.

In the Junior League, IT&E Fielders, Natibu Tanapag Falcons, Bank of Saipan Red Sox, Hawaiya Technologies, Inc. Ol’Aces, DPS Dare LEEP Enforcers, Saipan Shipping Company Jets, and the DYS-Rep. Ramon S. Basa-Rep. Frederick P. DL Guerrero Kagman Lions made up the field.

Marianas Cable Vision-Rep. Ramon S. Basa-Rep.Frederick P. DL Guerrero Kagman Lions, the IT&E Fielders, the D-9ers, Saipan Shipping Compnay Jets II, DPS Dare Enforcers, Docomo Pacific Ol’Aces, and the Natibu Falcons are entered in the Senior League, while the five-team Big League field has the Docomo Ol’Aces, Paradise Island Animal Hospital Hustlers, the IT&E Fielders, the Sen. Ralph DLG Torres, Rep. Ramon S. Basa-Rep. Frederick P. DL Guerrero Kagman Lions, and the St. Michael’s Medical Response Hunters.

Details of last weekend’s matchups will be released this week.