‘Special bunch’ out to conquer odds

With a cloudless afternoon and the temperature hovering in the mid 80s, but feels like 90 degrees, CNMI Juniors All-Star manager Manny Evangelista called in his boys to get under the shade, giving them a much needed water break after a grueling two hours of practice at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field last Saturday.

CNMI Juniors All-Star team assistant coach Thomas Guerrero, right, gives instructions to one of his players during a practice session last Saturday at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field. (Jon Perez)

Evangelista, along with head coach Bernard Cabrera and assistant Thomas Guerrero, are racing against time to prepare the 14 youngsters who were selected to play as one when the Asia-Pacific-Middle East Junior, Senior, and Big League Regional Tournament kicks off later this month.

Finals most valuable player Noel E. Cabrera and regular season MVP Shakobe Jay Rangamar lead the crew that also has Henry A. Aguon, Kimo Ramon A. Aingalen, Tyrese Malcom Camacho, Spencer Dickinson, Ace Carlos Evangelista, Jester Kintaro, Tindin Terence L. Leon Guerrero, Pedro Jesus Maratita, Leonard Paul Salalila, Neldreyton Skerei, Jaydon Jude Tenorio, and Arby Brayan Yaguel.

“They come from different teams but they are a special bunch. It won’t be an easy task but we, coaches Bernard and Tom, believe that these boys can overcome anything. All they have to do is believe and help each other,” Evangelista said as he unloaded a 5-gallon water cooler and brought out two bags of ice popsicles to cool his players.

Head coach Cabrera said he likes to always share his baseball knowledge especially to youngsters who are willing and eager to learn. “I like working with kids. Just give them the extra time to develop their skills. The manager and the coaching staff will always be here to guide them.”

Guerrero, meanwhile, challenged the team when he told the players that it has been years since the CNMI has represented the region to the Junior League World Series held annually at Heritage Park in Taylor, Michigan.

“The last time the CNMI represented the Asia-Pacific was in 2009. It has been a while since the CNMI went to Taylor. Before, the CNMI had always represented the region,” added Guerrero, who is no stranger to the World Series after being part of the 2002 Juniors squad that went to Michigan and the 2004 Senior League team in Bangor, Maine.

The CNMI had a historic five-year run, reaching the World Series from 2001 to 2005. Then came the lean years when Jakarta, Indonesia represented the region in 2006 while it was the Philippines’ turn in 2007 and 2008.

Chinese-Taipei duplicated the CNMI’s feat becoming a World Series fixture since 2010 when they went to clinch the crown after a 9-1 pummeling of U.S. Southwest representatives Tyler, Texas.

Chinese-Taipei was the runner-up the following year and failed to enter the finals in 2012 before winning back-to-back from 2013 and 2014.

Now, the defending Asia-Pacific-Middle East champions will be back again this year and they will go up against host CNMI, Australia, Guam, Hong Kong, and the Philippines.

“These teams are no pushovers. They are the champions of their countries so it won’t be easy going up against them. That’s why you need to go out there and give their best every game,” added Guerrero.

Evangelista and his coaches know that they would be facing a daunting task, but they remain optimistic of the CNMI’s chances.

“We’re practicing two to three hours a day, four times a week. We’re making sure that they continue to work on the basics of pitching, batting and fielding. We’re also presenting them with situational plays so they would know what to do,” said Evangelista, who has been part of the Saipan Little League program for more than 15 years now.

“From the looks of it and during our practice sessions, I like what I see. Still needs some work but these kids are improving. It is just the little details that we need to focus on that would give us the advantage against our opponents,” added Evangelista.