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MBC-bound team meeting on Monday
The CNMI All-Stars’ Brian Camacho waits for the pitch during their title match against Guam in the Inaugural Micronesian Baseball Classic held last year at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
Saipan Baseball League official Tony Rogolifoi is calling members of the CNMI team that were supposed to compete in the 2nd Micronesian Baseball Classic to attend a meeting on Monday, 5:30pm, at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.
They will discuss the upcoming tournament that will be hosted by Guam from Nov. 14 to 20. The team was supposed to go to Palau, which was the original host, but its preparations were halted after the original host pulled out. Palau begged off from hosting the second edition of the World Baseball Classic-inspired tournament as the Asahi ballfield in Koror is being renovated and repairs will not be completed in time for the planned October opening. Guam assumed the hosting duties with the games to be played at the Paseo Stadium.
“These are members that were supposed to go to Palau and did not pull out from the team. The tournament is next month so we need to discuss how we could move forward and start fundraising too,” said Rogolifoi.
“It would be harder for the teams since the tournament is close to the 2018 Micronesian Games in Yap this July. I’m asking the players to attend the meeting or I would get new ones who are playing in the ongoing Under-25 league.”
The CNMI is the defending MBC champion after making a huge comeback to beat Guam, 15-14, in extra innings during last year’s finale. Guam hosting the tournament this year would make things more exciting as they are looking for some payback after the sorry loss.
Henry Lizama Jr., Ben Jones Jr., Lamarc Iguel, Anthony Tenorio, Tyrone Omar, Joe Palacios, Giovanni Mira, Nathan Guerrero, Manny Cabrera, M.J. Sakisat, Richard Atalig Jr., Virgil Secharmidal, Angel Palacios, Nathan Camacho, Jhace Palacios, Jesus Iguel, Jesse Brel, Ian Norita, and Jobe Reyes were the members of the then Palau-bound squad. Changes are expected to be made from the initial roster as most of the players have either school or work commitments and would not to be able make it to the weeklong tournament in Guam.
