AsPac members resume planning for regional meet

Members of the 2008 Asia-Pacific Junior, Senior, and Big League Regional Tournament resumed their planning for a smooth regional tournament when they held a meeting last Friday at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

The regional tournament committee met with officials of the Saipan Grand Hotel and Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan last Friday to discuss accommodations for more than 200 delegates expected to arrive in June.

SGH general manager Ed Cho and Tan Holdings Corp. president Jerry Tan met with CNMI district administrator and international board member James Ada, tournament director Mike Borja, and committee members Joe Salas, Joey Dela Cruz, Cathy Salas, and Annie Flores.

Ada said he expects 104 official delegates from the four participating countries that includes the players, mangers, coaches, officials, and umpires.

Hong Kong and Indonesia are expected to send two teams, while Guam, the Philippines, and host CNMI will be competing in all three divisions.

Ada added that India may also compete and has asked to extend the deadline of the submission of requirements on April 15. “I have been in the Little League program for more than 20 years and I have no knowledge of India competing before. If India pushes through, this would be their first time to compete.”

Borja said they only wanted to assure if SGH and Fiesta have enough rooms available during the period of the Asia-Pacific tournament. “[SGH] is near the baseball field, it would be convenient for all the teams since there will be less travel time for practices and the games.”

“We wanted to know how many rooms will be available for the participating teams during the regional tournament. How much would it cost since we will be needing at the most 104 rooms.”

Borja said they wanted to secure the rooms early in order for them to inform the other countries so they can finalize their number of delegates. “We will be assisting them in booking the rooms. The organizing committee has full responsibility to all delegates one day before and one day after the tournament.”

He added most of the time, the players travel with their parents and friends while officials and coaches bring their family and official media partners. “So you are looking at nine nights, from June 26 to July 4, where more than 200 people will be staying and spending on Saipan. If they choose to stay after the tournament it is on their own.

“We are looking at a maximum of four persons—one adult and three kids—in one standard-sized room. With an extra bed to be provided. [SGH] will be for players and coaches while those not included in the team can be housed at Fiesta.”

Salas and Flores said most of the teams also want their meals packed and delivered at the baseball field where they would eat to save them time. Aside from accommodation and meals, transportation will also be provided to the teams.

The Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament is a qualifying tournament for all three divisions—Junior, Senior, and Big League. Saipan last hosted the regional tournament in 2001.

The World Series for the Junior League (13-14) will be held in Taylor, Michigan while Bangor, Maine will host the Senior League (15-16). The Big League World Series (17-18) will be held on Easley South, Carolina.