Softball fundraiser dedicated to fallen Guam player

Coach Jerome Delos Santos, second from left standing, with his Scoutz Youth Baseball Team during a picnic Sunday at Micro Beach. (CONTRIBUTED PHOTO)

Aside from facilitating Scoutz Youth Baseball Team’s upcoming trip to Guam, the ongoing CNMI Youth Baseball Team Fundraiser at the Capitol Hill Ballfield is also honoring the memory of Steven Alcantara.

Coach Jerome Delos Santos said Alcantara is a contemporary of his when he and Alcantara’s brother, Roke, used to square off frequently in baseball tournaments in the region. 

“I started practicing with one kid until 50 kids eventually came. They were 13- and 14-year-olds, some 15, 16, 17, and even 18- year-olds. We practiced three times a week and then I called up Roke and said ‘brother, let’s make something happen for our kids in honor of our beloved brother, Steven Alcantra. So we both agreed.”

To this end, UOG and Roke Alcantara will host Delos Santos and his Scoutz Youth Baseball Team in the Inaugural Marianas Friendship Labor Day U18 Baseball Tournament set for next month.

Months before, Roke Alcantara, who is a coach of the University of Guam Baseball Team visited Saipan to scout and recruit players for the Tritons varsity team.

“He scouted two talented baseball players of our own and gave them scholarships at the University of Guam. He inspired me to do what he did to our own kids,” said Delos Santos.  

As far as his expectations in the Inaugural Marianas Friendship Labor Day U18 Baseball Tournament, Delos Santos said he just hopes his players will come out better players and even better persons after the competition. 

“My expectations in Guam are for my kids to have fun and enjoy baseball again. I want them to feel that spirit again. It’s been four years since Super Typhoon Yutu hit Saipan and since then our kids have never played baseball… In the very beginning of our practices, our kids made friends and they continue to. I saw weaknesses but overcame them with discipline. I see my kids change and become humble with each other. I myself and my coaches take time away from our family just to teach and to train our kids that want to learn the game that we love.”

As far as results of the CNMI Youth Baseball Team Fundraiser go, Mamaaw beat Homies, 12-6, last Wednesday to improve to 2-1, while dealing Homies its second loss in three games.

Kliq also maintained its squeaky clean 3-0 slate after wiping the floor clean of Tokahao, 15-4. Tokahao won its match against Munchies via forfeit to improve to 2-1.

In the battle of unbeatens, No Excuse beat Regulators, 20-0, to go up to 3-0, while dropping the latter to 2-1.
Skeet also edged Dat’s It, 21-20, to up its record to 3-1, while Dat’s It fell to .500 at 2-2.