Saipan Little League opening day a go

Saipan Little League Baseball Inc.’s board of directors has decided to go ahead with this Saturday’s 9am opening ceremony at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

SLLBI president Juan I. Tenorio along with some other board members were at Tan Ko field yesterday awaiting team managers to submit their required paperwork and entrance fee deposits, which are needed before the teams will be allowed to participate; board members will also be at Tan Ko field today conducting the same procedure.

In the past, the SLLBI has featured rematches of last year’s divisional championships on opening day, however, due to the rules compliances issues, officials may have to make tweaks to the game schedule in order to keep forfeits to a minimum.

Team managers were instructed back in October about the board’s plans of submitting official Little League baseball team rosters and volunteer forms to the LLB head office in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. All coaches and managers are required to register as official LLB volunteers and undergo local background checks or else the SLLBI may face sanctions on the national level.

The managers and coaches received such documents over a month ago and have had ample time to have their teams ready to go by opening day.

In fact, the managers and coaches got to pick the date for this year’s opening day and their request of only having to pay half of each team’s $500 entrance fee by Saturday was also approved by the board, however with one day left before the opener, many teams have not delivered their end of the deal and still only seven of the teams have submitted their entrance fee deposits.

There are some rumors about some sponsors pulling out from teams, but the teams’ respective coaches have not confirmed such stories.

In any rate, Tenorio and the board have issued the green light and are remaining positive about the upcoming season.

“We welcome all of the parents to come out and spend some time at the ball park on Saturday to spend some quality time with their kids. Once we get these documentation requirements fulfilled and collect the required entrance fee funds we will be on track for a successful little league season this year,” said Tenorio over the phone yesterday afternoon.

This Saturday marks the SLLBI’s 40th anniversary since its establishment in 1972.

The Rota Little League Baseball Association will be held at 9am on Sunday morning followed by a Major Division matchup.

The Junior, Senior, and Big League openers are set for Monday.

CNMI District Administrator James Ada will be in attendance alongside the RLLBA board of directors.

The RLLBA board members include president Vivian Hocog, vice president Tilford Toves, secretary Sharon Manglona, treasurer Nadia Manglona, player agent Donna Ogo, safety officer Clifford Ogo, chief umpire Roddy Manglona, board of directors chair Efrain Atalig, vice chair Geroge Hocog, and board member Ryan Manglona.