Little League shaping up

While wind surfers were busy carving out waves along the crystal clear waters along the American Memorial Park Saturday morning, organizers of the Saipan Major Little League Baseball Association were busy carving out the framework of the upcoming season.

The organization that sent three out of a possible four teams to the mainland to compete in the Little League World Series, held an open meeting for all members at the conference room inside of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium to discuss their plans for another successful season.

According to association secretary Peding Tenorio, there will be plenty of teams from which the Major Little, Junior, Senior, and Big leagues will be able to choose for their respective all-star teams following the season.

The Saipan Major Little League boasts 12 teams for the upcoming season, such as the Tanapag Braves, Church’s Chicken Bombers, the Blue Jays, Hawks, Hustlers, Kagman 1-2-3, Little Legals, Ol’ Aces, Pirates, Toyota Mariners, As Matuis Twins, and McDonald’s.

The competition gets a little tougher from there, as the Junior League will have only seven teams. The Falcons, Jets, Marlins, Ol’ Aces, Hustlers, Pirates, and Fielders will run their nine out onto the ball field this spring, but only the top players from last year were able to find teams in the five member Senior League.

The Aztecs, Dan Dan Eagles, Hustlers, Ol’ Aces, and Fielders will be playing for a shot at the pennant as well a shot at the all-star team, but even fewer will have the opportunity in the Big League.

The Braves, Comets, Ol’ Aces, and Expos had the luxury of choosing from the crème de la crème in the off-season, as only the most seasoned and dedicated players stuck around for the 2005 season. With last year’s players gaining added experience during the tournament in Guam last summer, and some of the top Seniors from last year’s squad moving up, this year’s all-star roster should have a serious shot at advancing to the World Series in the mainland.

The season kicks off in just a couple of weeks, as teams will strap on the cleats under the sun on Saturday, Mar. 5 at the Oleai Sports Complex. As it stands now, the players will catch some rays while they make some plays until the repairs are made to the typhoon damaged illumination stations. While Tenorio said that she was assured that the repairs would be finished in time for the start of play, league organizers have planned for the worst and hoped for the best.