SBL needs support for playoff games

Aces pitcher Joe Guerrero prepares to throw to the plate in their game against GSM last week in the 2018 Saipan Baseball League. League officials are still discussing the playoff format for this season. (Jon Perez)

The Saipan Baseball League is asking for support from local businesses to fund the proposed additional games in the ongoing 2018 season.

SBL coordinator Tony Rogolifoi said that he has asked coaches and managers of the participating teams to assist the league in seeking extra funds so they can push through with extending the playoff matches

“Holding and organizing a league is expensive. I showed the coaches the list of our expenses as proof. They are suggesting that the Top 8 advance to the playoffs and I told them we need additional funding for the costs of holding the games,” said Rogolifoi.

“We’re not asking for one company or business. It can be two or more where they chip in to support and help the league continue with the games,” he added.

Based on the original format in each season, only the Top 4 teams will advance to the playoffs with the No. 1 team taking on the fourth-ranked squad and No. 2 clashing with No. 3 in a best-of-three series semis series. Winners in the semifinals will then battle for the crown in a best-of-five format. However, some managers and coaches, especially teams at the lower half of the standings, are hoping to play more games so they suggested to have the Top 8 move into the playoffs during a meeting last Thursday at the Gilbert C. Ada’s conference room.

If the league decides to make the Top 8 cut, the No. 1 ranked team will face No. 8, and No. 2 vs. No. 7, No. 3 vs. No. 6, and No. 4 vs. No. 5 will play in knockout matches. The four winning teams will then slug it out in the best-of-three semifinals series with the victors moving to the finals.

The Top 6 teams playing in the postseason is another format suggested with Nos. 1 and 2 having a bye and automatically moving into the semis and the four remaining squads battling it out for the last two semis berths in another knockout battle.

Managers and coaches have at least two weeks to find additional funding to help the league and follow a different format in the postseason.

GSM is the current leader with an 8-1 record, followed by the C.K. Bears (7-1), Falcons (6-2), Mariners (5-3), defending champions Aces (4-3), Titanium (4-4), Blue Jays (3-6), and Balistics (2-5). The Indians and Outlaws are at the bottom of the team standings as they remain winless after seven games.