ASPAC setback upsets Cepeda

The father of a member of the CNMI Major All-Stars expressed disappointment on how the squad was managed during the 2011 Little League Asia-Pacific Regional Championship and hopes for a better performance next season.

Dave Cepeda, who watched the CNMI youth sluggers played last week at the Northern Region Sports Complex in Dededo, Guam, felt that the team had the talent to compete at an even higher level, but was let down by poor management from the coaching staff.

“I saw the other teams and honestly believe that we can beat Korea and Chinese-Taipei, but our coaches did not do their part in disciplining the kids during the event. I understand that baseball is a game and that the kids should have fun out there, but this competition is a world renowned event and I know we can do a much better job preparing our players to represent the CNMI,” Cepeda said in an interview with Saipan Tribune.

Cepeda observed that players were not going to bed on time and were shuffling in and out of the hotel to go shopping with their families instead of focusing on baseball, the primary purpose of their Guam trip. He added that practices were never conducted, even on the team’s off day and some deserving players were not given enough playing time.

CNMI started its ASPAC bid with a 10-0 blowout of the Philippines, only to fizzle out in its next two games before fumbling a four-run lead with three outs to go in its make-or-break match against Guam.

The Commonwealth absorbed a 0-7 shutout loss at the hands of Korea and then bowed to Hong Kong for the first time, 5-8. Then against Guam, CNMI officials seemed to have given away the win to the host after a controversial rain delay was supposed to grant the victory to visitors

CNMI led, 4-0, after five innings when heavy rains halted the game. Guam Little League officials convinced the CNMI staff to pause play for the second time (the match had already been previously postponed when it rained on July 13). When game resumed Guam launched a four-run rally to extend the match and eventually won after three bonus frames, 7-4

Guam defeated the CNMI fair and square in the clutch, but the game could have been awarded to the latter by default. During the contentious decision, CNMI District Administrator James Ada indicated the 30-minute window requiring event officials to rule on a rained-out game to his Guam counterpart, Steven Guerrero. However, it was left up to the CNMI coaching staff to make the final decision.

The Commonwealth was eliminated after the crucial loss and watched the rest of the tournament from the grand stands.

”We started off with a strong win, but the kids lost their focus and did not come out with the same fire in the next two games and in my opinion, the coaches didn’t do much both in preparation or at game time. They didn’t really push the kids to step up when they lethargically took their positions out in the field. They made pitching changes when they perhaps should made defensive adjustments and also stiffed a number of good players to just one at bat per game,” Cepeda said.

Notably, Saipan Little League’s top batters Cedric Camacho and Perry Celis were visibly under utilized in the CNMI lineup and a number of players did not take the field at their previously selected positions.

Cepeda was also disappointed with the team’s lack of preparation for the ASPAC closing ceremony, which team manager Chel Castro did not even attend. Ada appeared, but left early.

“The other teams, especially the title contenders, were very organized and disciplined throughout the week, but our players were running around all over the place in the hotel and at the closing ceremony. This was my first-ever ASPAC experience and I was disappointed to see that we did not take the event as seriously as the other groups. We treated it like more of a vacation than a competition,” Cepeda said.

“For example, I learned that it is customary for teams to come up with a skit to perform at the ceremony, but we never discussed this and had to scramble and make something up at the last second. I was worried, but the coaches didn’t even care. The manager wasn’t even there and our district administrator left early,” Cepeda added.

Cepeda saved assistant coach George Camacho from the fire, adding that Camacho was the only coach who reprimanded players for being rambunctious. Cepeda said Castro, head coach Randall Aguon, and Ada routinely looked the other way.

Cepeda said he was frustrated with the Saipan Little League board members’ selection of the coaching staff.

“Aside from head coach Randall Aguon (from the runner up Bank of Saipan Red Sox), it doesn’t make sense why no one from the undefeated Pacific Amusement-Juan S. Santiago Jets or third place DPS Enforcers represented the coaching staff,” Cepeda sid.

Cepeda urges the board to communicate next year’s election date in a timely manner and pleads for a larger voter turnout among parents to avoid the same problems.

Cepeda also wishes to split the fundraising efforts per division instead of using one big pool for all four age groups, He also suggest having independent fundraising efforts throughout the season.

“We can’t depend on the government to provide funds for the teams. The Saipan Little League is a non-profit organization and it’s not the government’s responsibility,” Cepeda added.

As for the selection of players, Cepeda suggests that a try-out is held after the season to better evaluate players’ attitudes and talent and ensure healthy team chemistry heading into the competition.

On a brighter note, Cepeda had a long list of supporters that helped the team during its ASPAC run.

“I’d like to send a special thanks to Guam Vice Mayors Pete Benavente of Dededo and Jun Blas of Barrigada for providing transportation and meals during our stay. They helped us out a lot, especially on the last day when we had over an eight-hour layover before our departure. A big thanks also goes to assistant coach George Camacho and the House leadership for their $12,000 private donation, Wings Travel for holding our flight reservations, Senator Ralph Torres, Island Apparel for the uniforms, Pete Guerrero for providing the CNMI flag, Mr. Lee, for providing the CNMI banner, Ho Joon Joo and P&A Corporation, Pacific Amusement, Torres Brothers-LLC, Juan S. Santiago, J’s Restaurant, and all the parents who helped out with the coin drives,” Cepeda said.