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Micronesian Baseball Classic moved to January
The CNMI’s Ben Jones looks up to the umpire after diving to home plate during the bottom of the first inning of their semis game against Guam in the Inaugural Micronesian Baseball Classic at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield. (Roselyn B. Monroyo)
The third edition of the Micronesian Baseball Classic has been moved to early next year, according to MBC interim president Tony Rogolifoi.
The regional tournament will still be held at the Paseo Stadium in Guam, but matches have been scheduled from Jan. 6 to Jan.12. Guam was supposed to hold this year’s MBC in October, but had to postpone it due to scheduling challenges.
Saipan hosted the inaugural MBC in 2016 with the Commonwealth ruling the tournament after edging Guam, 15-14. The 2017 competition was originally slated in Palau, but was moved to Guam with the host defeating Palau in the gold medal game, 11-1. There was no MBC in 2018, as participating teams in the region focused on the Micronesian Games held in Yap.
After Guam’s second hosting, Rogolifoi said MBC may have its fourth edition in Pohnpei, which has expressed its interest to hold the competition late next year.
Coaches and umpires courses
Meanwhile, the Saipan Baseball League, Inc. will be holding a two-week BCO Level 1 Coaches and Umpires Accreditation Course beginning next week.
The coaching course will run from Dec. 9 to 13 at the Oleai Sports Complex, while the umpire course is set from Dec. 16 to 20. Each session will run for two hours and potential coaches and umpires interested to be certified are welcome to register. Besides coaching or umpiring locally, a certification will be mandatory for all managers, coaches and umpires selected to represent the CNMI in international events, such as the Pacific Games, the Pacific Mini Games, the Micronesian Games, MBC, and other regional and international tournaments.
Interested individuals from the local Little League program are also welcome to take these courses, while clinic for youth players will be held throughout this month and in January.
All interested parties are asked to call Rogolifoi at 285-3966 for inquiries and registration information.
