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Major League helps local players get in the swing
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Posted on May 13 2004
Little League in a box was delivered to the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium today, as part of a grant from Major League Baseball that included bats, balls, gloves and equipment for catchers and umpires.
This is the second shipment from the big league that has been received by local organizations to help support youth baseball programs in the area.
The grant is available to all island organizations that can show a need for support and are island nations affiliated with the International Baseball Federation, according to Tony Rogolifoi, tournament coordinator for the Saipan Major League,.
The vice president of the SML, Bob Coldeen, found out about the grant through his many dealings with people associated with the league, and decided to find out if the local baseball leagues would be able to receive such funding.
“I have been in contact with people in the league for many years, and I asked the Director of International Programs, Mike Mc McClelland if (the CNMI) would be eligible since we are not a state. He said yes and gave me the application. I filled it out last year, and now we’ve received two shipments,” he said.
Now that it has finally arrived, the only thing left to decide is to whom the gear will be distributed. Coldeen said that the SML plans to meet with the Little League and let them decide how to dispense the equipment.
Major League Baseball’s owners formed an organization called Major League International Partners, which serves as a source of supply for coaches and offers nations an opportunity to promote, develop and market baseball locally and worldwide.
