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Sufa players leave for Labor Day softball tournament
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Posted on Aug 25 2008
A team from the Sufa Softball Association will be leaving for Las Vegas, Nevada, today to compete in the 2008 Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament.
The tournament, which will feature Saipan players, who are now based in the mainland, will run from Aug. 30 to Sept. 1.
SSA’s team is headed by managers Joe Salas and Delbert Sablan. Listed on the team’s roster are Mario Salas, Frank Hocog, Frank Camacho, Tom Ito, Dave Santos, Roi Celis, Jeff Cabrera, Joe Cruz, Rep. Ralph Torres, Joe Flores, Jovie Flores, and Ed Flores.
Joe Salas said five more players from the U.S. will join the team.
He added that the tournament will serve as a get-together event for them and former CNMI residents.
“It will be great to see old friends and relatives. CNMI residents and those leaving in the mainland always look forward to the Labor Day tournament, as they get a chance to share not only their passion for softball, but also stories back home,” Salas said.
Former CNMI residents who are now living in Oregon, Seattle, Texas, California, and Arizona are expected to play in the two-day tournament.
Several Saipan-based players who are not part of the SSA team are also going to Nevada to suit up for other squads.
Salas said Sufa is hoping to send a team to the Labor Day tournament every year.
Sufa’s trip to Nevada was made possible by the various fundraisers the group conducted.
Last week, the association held a golf tournament, raising enough money to help defray the cost of the team’s airfare and accommodation.
“We would like to thank all golfers who participated in our fundraiser. Because of their support, we will be able to send a team to the Labor Day tournament and have fun with former CNMI residents,” Salas said.
This year’s Labor Day tournament will be the fourth edition of the annual event.
The inaugural tournament was held in Boise, Idaho in 2005, in Seattle, Washington in 2006, and back to Boise, Idaho last year.
Two years ago, a team from the CNMI defeated a Portland-based squad in the finals and last year Team Makpo headed by Jerry Ayuyu participated in the tournament.
