Bright future ahead for CNMI baseball

The 2011 Pacific Games conquest in New Caledonia is just one of the many good things the CNMI will accomplish with its promising pool of youth baseball players.

Jerome Delos Santos, one of the few veterans on the CNMI Team that won the gold medal in the 2011 Pacific Games, said his young teammates are the future of baseball in the Commonwealth and with support from both the government and private sectors, proper training, and discipline, they will continue to dominate the sport in the region.

“Most of my teammates are in their early 20s and some are under 20 so they have a lot of playing years to come and they could bring more to CNMI baseball. They have the talent, aggressiveness, and the dedication to help the CNMI reign in the Micro Games, Mini Games, and Pacific Games,” said Delos Santos, who also donned the colors of the CNMI in the 2002 and 2006 Micro Games in Pohnpei and Saipan, respectively.

“I missed the 2010 Micro Games in Palau as I had to go to the mainland. I returned to Saipan early this year and I am proud to be back to the team and be part of the gold medal squad. We veterans provided leadership for the team, while the young guns did those hustle plays and big pitches and saves. We had a good mix of veterans and young players. We jelled well,” Delos Santos said.

Other veterans on the team were Manny Sablan, Craig Sanchez, Byron Kaipat, Keoni Lizama, and Franco Flores. Also on the squad are U20 players Joshua Jones, Juan Maratita, Eric Tenorio, Ian Rogolifoi, Mike Iguel, Vince Cepeda, Elton Santos, Jesus Iguel, Tyrone Omar, Franco Flores, and Thomas Joab. Most of the young players in the CNMI lineup played in the Big League.

“These young players are the future,” Delos Santos added in an interview during the team’s celebration for their gold medal win last Wednesday night at the Minatchom Atdao Pavilion.

The team’s celebration was capped by an awards ceremony with the Rotary Club of Saipan presenting each member of the team and manager Tony Rogolifoi and Saipan Major League president Rose Igitol a certificate of recognition for their outstanding performance in the Pacific Games.

“All our hard work paid off when we returned with the gold medal. We played as one unit in New Caledonia, everybody gave their share in the win,” said Santos, who didn’t mind playing second fiddle to ace pitcher Jones.

“As long as we win, it does not matter if Josh gets to play in most innings in the crucial games. We’re there to support each other and when it was our chance to play, we went all out,” said Santos, who had 10 strikeouts in their elimination game against New Caledonia.

Tenorio, who played outfield, added that besides teamwork, discipline was also another factor in their victory.

“Right after the game, we we’re not allowed to go out. We went to the games and practices, ate, and returned to the Athletes Village. We slept early and focused on each game,” Tenorio said.

“Our young players follow our manager and coach’s instructions. They knew what it takes to win games and championships and if they will continue to do that, have the discipline and will to win, more glories await CNMI baseball,” said Delos Santos.