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Rota to host Saipan in district meet
The 19th CNMI District Tournament is set to take place this weekend with Rota ready to host Saipan in a best 3-of-5 competition for the right to represent the Commonwealth to the Asia-Pacific-Middle East Regionals.
A Saipan player pitches in this season’s Little League game at the Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan Ballfield. Saipan will battle Rota this weekend for the right to represent the CNMI in a regional tournament in China. (Jon Perez)
Tinian begged off from the tournament after failing to come up with a team, leaving Rota and Saipan to contend for the berth to the regionals, which will be held from July 13 to 21 in the City of Guilin in China.
Saipan and Rota will play a double-header starting at 9am on Friday and one game on Saturday. Schedule of the remaining two matches will depend on the turnout of the first three.
The Saipan All-Stars, who have been practicing for almost two weeks, are set to make their southern trip this Wednesday.
Former CNMI district administrator James Ada said the district tournament is in compliance of the policies and regulation set by Little League headquarters in South Williamsport in Pennsylvania.
“We’re honored that Rota, with the help of Rota Mayor Efraim Atalig and Rota Municipal Council chair George Hocog, managed to pull this through after being hit by Typhoon Dolphin,” Ada said.
“The Rota Little League is prepared to host the tournament and welcome Saipan next week. The ballfield is in shape and after this tournament we’re going to install lighting so night games can be played,” he added.
Ada also said there is a plan to install pull-away bleachers.
“Refurbishing will also take place and pull-away bleachers will be added. Engineers have already done the scope of work. I thank both the parents of the kids from Rota and Saipan. Hats off to the Rota Little League, the volunteers, and all of their supporters,” Ada said.
Saipan represented the CNMI in last year’s regionals held in July at the Clark Freeport Zone in Pampanga. The CNMI Little League All-Stars finished with a 3-2 card and failed to advance to the semis after losing in the tiebreak to Chinese-Taipei. They placed fifth overall following a win over New Zealand.
In the pool play, the CNMI players overpowered Vietnam, 17-2; defeated Hong Kong, 6-3; and scored a morale-boosting 3-2 win over Chinese-Taipei. In other results, they fell to Saudi Arabia, 4-9, and suffered a 0-7 shutout against Dubai.
