Ada wants to expand Little League program

James Ada is back to his former role as the CNMI’s Little League district administrator where he hopes to expand the program of the longest running youth baseball program in the Commonwealth.

James Ada poses with the 2015 Senior League World Series commemorative baseball bat behind him. The bat was signed by members of the CNMI All-Stars that played in Bangor, Maine. (Jon Perez)

Ada, in an interview with the Saipan Tribune, said his first step is to make sure the three leagues—Saipan, Tinian, and Rota—get organized and chartered under Little League headquarters.

He added that all three islands can now be easily chartered since Little League headquarters had implemented an online registration.

“Charter application is made easier since it can be done online. All they have to do is follow what they did in their charter application last season. Submit the name of their officers and other documents needed,” said Ada.

“If they completed everything, they will be receiving their supplies by December. That’s why the sooner they get chartered, the better for their respective leagues,” added Ada, who is also the Department of Public Works secretary.

Ada also told Saipan Tribune that he hopes that the Saipan, Tinian, and Rota Little Leagues would add the 50-70 program next season.

“Hopefully all three islands would come up with the 50-70 program. Rota and Tinian had the programs in 2013 and 2014 and even represented the CNMI in the regional tournament,” added Ada.

The 50-70 division is a program that aims to slowly transition Majors division players who are 11-year-olds to the Juniors. It is a program for the 11-13 age bracket where they are prepared for the full size baseball field in the Junior division.

Ada said that he plans to meet with officials of the three leagues to further discuss their plans. “I’m open to meet to know the needs of all three leagues. I also plan to travel to Rota and Tinian ask them of their plans and to discuss to them in what areas can we help.”

He added that Tinian Mayor Joey Patrick San Nicolas and Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig have always been supportive of various sports including the Little League baseball program.

Ada said the 2016 would also be different with Little League headquarters revising some rules. “That’s why I need to sit down with the three leagues to address and explain to them these new rules. Little League headquarters adhere to fair play to prevent any protest.”

He added that the headquarters at South Williamsport in Pennsylvania, as much as possible, doesn’t want to entertain any protests. “The only time they want a protest filed is on rule infractions. The rules are plain and simple, the officials and umpires must know how to implement it.”

Every four years, Little League headquarters holds a congress of all district administrators around the world to meet and discuss implementing new rules. They then vote on what needs to be changed and once the congress approves it, it awaits ratification from Little League International.