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NMI cancels Oceania baseball trip
Tony Rogolifoi, third from right, seen here in a huddle with umpires and Pohnpei coaches during the 2014 Micronesian Games, said the CNMI will not be competing in the Baseball Confederation of Oceania Under-18 tournament in New Zealand. (The Kaselehlie Press)
The tournament was originally set at the Paseo Stadium in Agana, Guam in January 2015, but organizers decided to move it to New Zealand.
“I already have the names of those who will be included on the team. We could have formed a good, strong, and competitive team but it’s too expensive to go there,” said Rogolifoi.
He added that although they really wanted to compete, it is impossible to raise funds for the New Zealand trip with less than two months left.
The champion of the BCO U18 tournament will represent the Oceania region in the 2015 International Baseball Federation 18U World Championships in Nishinomiya, Hyogo Prefecture in Japan.
The Oceania regional champion will compete against 11 other teams namely, Africa (one), Americas (five), Asia (three), and Europe (two).
Despite deciding not to compete in the Oceania event, the CNMI still has a chance to participate in off-island tournaments. Rogolifoi said the CNMI received invitations to play in various tournaments in Cleveland and Indiana next year.
“In Cleveland, the home of LeBron James, we got invited to play baseball and basketball. The only problem is funding. We’ll see if we can come up with the funds for next year,” Rogolifoi said. (Jon Perez)
6 teams for new SBL season
Saipan Baseball League coordinator Tony Rogolifoi said he is looking to have at least six teams for the upcoming season next year.
The new SBL season is tentatively set on Jan. 12 with renovations at the Francisco M. “Tan Ko” Palacios baseball field done thanks to funds donated by various generous contributors.
Rogolifoi said he would organize a meeting with the managers, coaches or representatives of interested teams to further discuss details of the new season. The meeting is set by the end of the month.
He added interested teams should start organizing their rosters and order their uniforms.
Waiver forms are now available at the Northern Marianas Sports Association office inside the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium. Entrance fee is $1,000 and teams are allowed to submit a 25-member roster.
For more information, call Rogolifoi at 234-6672. (JP)
