Pac Chain wins Labor Day Softball tourney

Pac Chain of Boise, Idaho topped the 16th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament held last weekend at the Willow Lane Sports Complex in Boise, Idaho. (Contributed photo)

Home team Pac Chain defeated Sweet Rolls of Saipan in the finals and was hailed champion of the 16th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament held last weekend at the Willow Lane Sports Complex in Boise, Idaho.

The team had to really work hard for the championship though as despite earning the first seed with a 5-0 record in the eliminations, they were ambushed by No. 2 seed Sweet Rolls in Game 1 of the finals, 24-8.

With their twice-to-beat advantage gone, Pac Chain had to dig deep against Sweet Rolls in Game 2. They got some much-needed offensive momentum back by putting up 17 runs through five complete innings and scored six more runs in the bottom of the sixth as insurance.

But Sweet Rolls had no quit in them and kept the pressure on the host team by scoring three more in the top of the seventh. Pac Chain’s defense held it together in the bottom of the seventh to close it out with a final score of 23-20.

This year’s championship gave Pac Chain their fourth CNMI Labor Day Softball title. They previously won in 2011 and 2014 in Portland, Oregon and 2016 in Las Vegas, Nevada. The team also finished second three times in the tourney—2010 in Kent, Washington, 2015 in Tacoma, Washington, and 2018 in Enumclaw, Washington.

Sweet Rolls of Saipan finished runner-up in the 16th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament held last weekend at the Willow Lane Sports Complex in Boise, Idaho. (Contributed photo)

The 2021 champion team is made up of Jonathan Villagomez, Ton Salas, Johnathan Salas, Chris Salas, Jay Kintol, Justin Kintol, Nate Kintol, Jordan Pangelinan, Shine Tenorio, Ion Rasa, Riley Hayes, and Kevin Hallock.

Fat Boiz of Seattle, Washington finished third after losing to Sweet Rolls in the semifinals, 8-23. Da Couve of Vancouver, Washington was fourth place. The Sportsmanship Award was given to Marianas Native Islanders.

Another powerhouse squad that has multiple CNMI Labor Softball championships is Atmarao out of Arizona. They won titles in 2015 in Tacoma and 2017 in Santa Clarita, California. They also have multiple runners-up finishes in 2011 in Portland, 2013 in Gilbert, Arizona, and 2014 in Portland.

TNB/Machalapun, Sakudi, Kimason, and Bulacheru Kings round up the other powerhouse teams that still consistently participate in the annual softball showdown. Teams Adai Hao, Isao, Chamlau, Island Boys, Trenchers, and Kommonwealth all put up solid outings as well during the tournament. During recent years there have been new teams that came out to play in the popular annual softball tournament.

Fat Boiz of Seattle, Washington finished third in the 16th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament held last weekend at the Willow Lane Sports Complex in Boise, Idaho. (Contributed photo)

The annual softball tournament showcases a lot of the CNMI’s former Little League Major, Senior, and Big League All-Stars. Also many of the islands’ home-grown players who have represented the CNMI in the Micronesian Games, Mobil Games, and South Pacific Games also take part in the annual tournament held during Labor Day weekend.

Aside from playing softball, the tournament serves as family reunions for many CNMI residents living in the U.S. mainland, a weekend where friends and relatives gather to enjoy playing and watching the game on the diamond. CNMI culture and the Marianas way are in full display during the tournament with local dishes, live local music, and great hospitality for all ages.

Starting as a six-team tournament back in 2005 in Salem, Oregon, the CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament has truly grown much larger and for everyone to enjoy.

The 2021 Boise Labor Day tournament committee would like to thank all the sponsors, volunteers, umpires, and supporters for all their help in making the tournament a safe and successful event.

Organizers would also like to thank Jesse and Jojo Attao of Idaho, Kelvin Duenas of Oregon, and folks up in Washington state for opening up the annual softball tournament to all teams outside of the Pacific Northwest. Before that it was only CNMI residents living in Oregon and Washington that played the softball tournament during the late 1990 to early 2000s. Washington state will again be hosting the annual tourney in 2022. (Saipan Tribune)