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SML Masters get okay to play
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Posted on Sep 14 2005
After a season in which some of the Commonwealth’s stars from the past reunited to challenge the youth of the Saipan Major League, the sages of the local baseball scene are itching for another outlet for their competitive spirit.
Thanks to the persistent efforts of the senior hardballers, the SML Masters League was officially created with president Manny Tenorio, vice president Bob O’Conner, secretary Al Taitano, and treasurer Piding Tenorio presiding over the operation.
With a tentative opening day slated for Saturday, Sept. 24, at 10am, the league’s regular season format will be a three round robin, and each of the games will be seven innings long with eligible players 35 years of age or above.
While Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field receives a much needed face lift for the 2006 Micronesian Games, the SML Masters will hold all of its games at the Kan Pacific baseball diamond in Marpi. All of the games will be held during the mornings on the weekends as the facility lacks the necessary lights for evening contests.
According to league coordinator Tony Rogolifoi, the aim of the SML Masters organizers is to form a four-team league with a total of 60 players. In order to ensure that no one team has too much talent, there will be a selection process in which the board of directors will distribute the big names evenly.
The league is also looking for corporate sponsorship, as well as for individual team sponsors. According to Rogolifoi, the $800 team registration fee can be reduced to $500 with the addition of a league sponsor.
The next meeting for anyone interested in participating at any level is next Friday, Sept. 23, at 6pm at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium for the finalization of rosters. To register for the SML Masters League, contact league coordinator Rogolifoi at the Oleai Sports Complex by calling 664-2508.
