Little League makes big preparations

While the Junior, Senior, and Big League representatives from the Saipan Little League Baseball Association ready for the 2005 Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament next weekend on Tinian, the youngest players of the Major League are busy gearing up for their shot at the second round of off-island competition.

After winning the CNMI Little League District tournament on Rota this past Sunday, the CNMI All-Stars and their supporters have wasted no time preparing their trip to Fukuoka, Japan for the Little League Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament.

Just four days removed from their promotion to CNMI All-Stars, the team from Saipan hits the field this morning at the Oleai Sports Complex to work on a number of drills designed by manager Pat Tenorio and coaches Elmer Sablan and Jo Ann Aldan to earn an invitation to the Little League World Series in South Williamsport, Pennsylvania.

Of everyone making the journey overseas, the players have the advantage of only having to focus on giving their all on the field of play, while the parents and league officials are tasked with making all of the preparations for airfare, accommodations, passports, and the like.

Hours after the players returned from Luta, SLLBA president Joseph Salas held a meeting of all the players, parents, coaching staff, and league organizers at his house to discuss all of the details pertaining to the trip—and to celebrate the 12th birthday of his son, CNMI all-star Anthony.

After recognizing the accomplishments of the players, and the efforts of the coaching staff and volunteers, the meeting soon moved from baseball appreciation to tackling details of the next step on the path to Williamsport.

While the parents continue the sale of their fund raising raffle tickets, District administrator James Ada has been in constant communication with the tournament organizers in Fukuoka to get the scheduling, hotel, and transportation in hopes of chasing down the lowest estimated cost for everyone concerned.

By the end of the night, the players, parents, coaches, and volunteers received their marching orders, and confidence is high among all involved that the local team will make a strong showing in Japan from Friday, July 22, through Saturday, July 30.