CNMI makes the most of final day in Japan

KITAKYUSHU, Japan—The final day of activities was ushered in with a cloud-filled sky, but the threatening rain failed to dampen the spirits of the international players, parents, coaches, and volunteers at the Global Arena as the organizers of the 2005 Little League Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament bid them all a fond adieu during the closing ceremonies last night.

Before the evening’s festivities were set to begin, the Saipan team woke up early and boarded a bus to the train station where they hopped a ride on the rail to the shopping district. Many of the boys bought equipment for the upcoming season, gifts for friends and family, and clothes for the start of the school year on Monday morning.

After hitting the town for a day, the entire team boarded a train bound for where they have called home for the past few days, but baseball was never far from their minds.

While some recalled the previous day’s roller coaster riding and trip to the “Panic Room” at Space World, others were already rekindling the rivalries for next year’s season of Junior League ball.

The only thing that managed to cut all off their discussions short was the tunnel section of the tracks, as players and coaches alike let out over a minute’s worth of “La, la, la, la, la” until the train finally returned to open skies.

According to assistant coach Jo Ann Aldan, this was not unique to the boys from the Marianas, as she explained that at least two of the other squads from the Pacific Division share similar stories.

“That’s nothing. The Filipino team keeps saying “night club, night club” until they get to the other side and the New Zealanders say “lights, lights, lights” all the way, and it’s a long tunnel,” she said.

Once the team reached Akama Station, all 14 players, three coaches, and their interpreter walked across the street to the bus station wearing their blue ball caps with white CNMI lettering on the front. It was hard for the passersby not to take notice of the happy islanders as they laughed and joked along they way.

While waiting for the No. 75 bus to take them home to the Global Arena, the players continued to talk shop about last season’s campaign at Tan Ge Field. As the boys mulled which teams got lucky and which teams will return to the championship, they caught the eye of their host county’s residents of all ages.

The waving hands of the passing children were returned by the Commonwealth’s All-Stars, and some of the boys exchanged friendly glances with the Japanese girls. One of the boys made a special connection with a charming lady, as an elderly Japanese woman was so taken by the team that she shared a conversation with Joel Kaipat and Aldan through their interpreter.

“She said that we looked like we came from the beach because we were wearing our Zories and carrying the plastic bags,” said Aldan.

Soon after the bus arrived on schedule and the team boarded the bus for the 200-yen trip to Global Arena where they cleaned up and readied for the 4pm Japanese-style barbeque.