Saipan Little League opening is tentative

Murig

Saipan Little League Board Inc. president A.J. Palacios Murig said that the opening of the 2016 season of the island’s longest-running youth baseball program would all depend on how fast the Francisco M. “Tan Ko” Palacios and Miguel “Tan Ge” Pangelinan ballfields will be repaired.

The Saipan Little League is one of the main users of both ballfields with the Junior, Senior, and Big League divisions being played at the Tan Ko baseball field, while the Majors (9-12 year olds) utilizes the Tan Ge softball field.

The lights of the Tan Ko baseball field are either broken or not aligned, while the Tan Ge softball field suffered major damage after Saipan was hit by several typhoons.

Northern Marianas Sports Association is still waiting for the funds, given as by the Federal Emergency Management Agency, from the Governor’s Office to be released so repairs of all the damaged facilities inside the Oleai Sports Complex could start.

“We have met with [NMSA executive director] Tony Rogolifoi and he gave us a go, provided that we all assist in the preparation of the field,” said Murig in an email to the Saipan Tribune.

Murig added one of their main concerns is the Big League division, which holds night games at the Tan Ko baseball field every Tuesdays and Thursdays. The Saipan Baseball League plays nightly every Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.

But it remains unsure if the Tan Ko baseball field could already host a night game with the lights still not being repaired. That’s why Murig said there’s a possibility of not holding night games, especially in the Big League division.

“Game schedules will be amended from last season, mainly the Big League division. The board has agreed to call for a general membership assistance day to be scheduled to [help director] Rogolifoi and his [staff] prepare the field,” added Murig.

With this scenario, Murig said that unless the lights at the Tan Ko field are repaired this weekend the Junior, Senior, and Big League divisions will play one game each every Saturdays and Sundays. “All are subject to change depending on the number of teams in each division.”

Murig said that they are facing the possibility of a longer season without the night games and the Big League division matches only played every weekend.

“[Rogolifoi] has informed us that the complex has been approved for funding repairs out of the CIP Office, but as to when those funds will become available we do not know.”

“We are hoping it will come out soon as the repairs are greatly needed to resume the normal schedule of the Little League program,” Murig ended.