Rota has 8 certified umpires

Saipan Baseball League president Rose Igitol, standing second left, and coordinator Tony Rogolifoi , third left, join the eight new Baseball Confederation of Oceania-certified umpires from Rota during yesterday’s awarding ceremony at the Kilili Pavilion. (Jon Perez)

The CNMI has eight new baseball umpires after a group from Rota completed the second part of its Baseball Confederation Oceania Level I certification course over the weekend on Saipan.

Oscar Hocog Quitugua II heads the group composed of Ray Anthony T. Cabrera, Danny King, Jonovan Lizama, Daniel Rangamar Jr., Antonelli Rosario, Ryan Taisacan, and Albert H. Toves. The eight stayed on Saipan for almost a week to earn their BCO certificates and they also attended a coaching course.

Before coming to Saipan, the group had the first part of its certification seminar in Rota in October with BCO-certified instructor Tony Rogolifoi teaching them about theories and actual officiating of games. They continued the umpires course here and took the final test last Saturday. Rogolifoi also allow them to help in officiating Saipan Baseball League games—Under 25 and Masters divisions—with the guidance of veteran umpire James Miwata. Roy Celis helped with the pitching drills behind the plate, while Ray Palacios assisted in the statistics.

Quitugua said earning their certification is timely since the Rota Little League is scheduled to open either in late February or early March.

“This certification course will be a big help to our Little League program. Now we have certified and more qualified umpires that would be officiating games, while coaching would help enhance the skills of our youth players. From practice to the actual games, the education that we received would facilitate in improving their baseball skills,” Quitugua said.

Rogolifoi thanked the group for taking the time to complete the certification course that was done in cooperation of the Department of Community and Cultural Affairs under Sec. Robert Hunter, who was represented by Jojo Attao and Steph Aulerio during the presentation of certificates.

“We’re proud that we have a new group of BCO-certified umpires under SBL. Their certification allows them to become umpires in BCO tournaments in the Pacific Games, Mini Games, and our regional Micronesian Games and the Micronesian Baseball Classic,” said Rogolifoi.

“We need new umpires especially those who would volunteer in Little League games. We [SBL] thank you for your dedication in completing the umpires and coaches courses,” added Rogolifoi, who will also conduct a similar training with a group from Tinian before the year ends.

Attao congratulated the new umpires and urged them to continue with the learning process in officiating games.

“On behalf of Sec. Hunter, we congratulate you for completing the course. Eight is a lot since there are less than 10 [certified] umpires on Saipan. Whatever you decide or your call, you must stick with it. This is a Level I certification, hopefully you could earn Level II,” added Attao.

Toves, who spoke on behalf of the group, thanked Rogolifoi and the entire SBL leadership under president Rose Igitol and DCCA for organizing the certification courses. “We need this in Rota that’s why we are very thankful for getting the opportunity to earn BCO certification.”

Toves, Rangamar, and Taisacan are from the Rota Sports Division, while Cabrera works for Rota’s Department of Public Works, and Danny King with the Rota Municipal Council.

Rogolifoi, aside from being a BCO-certified instructor, is also a certified umpire along with Miwata, Celis, Tony Satur, and Highness Asanuma. Rogolifoi and BCO president Ray Brown signed the certificates of the new umpires.