No Ka Oi is King of the Diamonds

KOROR, Palau—The King of Beers crowned the Sultans of Softball last Sunday in Airai State.

Four teams—No Ka Oi from Saipan, Da Boyz from Guam, and Kebruka and Despedall from Palau—battled it out in a two-day round-robin for the Budweiser King of the Diamonds Tournament of Champions last weekend, which saw No Ka Oi take home the championship after out-slugging Da Boyz, 18-9, in the final day of competitions.

No Ka Oi and Da Boyz were tied in the bottom of the fourth, but No Ka Oi took a four-run lead in the top of the fifth inning and never looked back to beat their neighbors from the south.

The battle for third between Kebruka and Despedall, meanwhile, had the former leading 10-0 at the bottom of the third inning, but the latter rallied to win the game in a score of 18-13.

The four teams have played in three rounds in their respective islands and have competed with as many as 20 teams to win the title to represent their islands here in Palau. Palau hosted this year’s tournament so they were allowed to enter two teams into the Tournament of Champions. Guam and Saipan teams received an all-expense paid trip to Palau compliments of Budweiser to compete in this tournament.

“We’ve been amazed by the talent of the players competing in the Budweiser King of the Diamonds tournaments” said Tom Shimizu, general manager of Ambros Inc. “We’re excited to give softball players the additional exposure for their love of softball and to play a role in their success. All four teams are champions already just by making it to the final round here in Palau.”

Since the Budweiser King of the Diamonds Softball Tournament kicked off in February of this year, more than 60 softball teams have participated in Guam, Palau, and Saipan.

“Due to the success of this year’s tournament, we will continue this program into 2006 with Saipan being the designated host island for next year” said Shimizu.

The Tournament of Champions drew hundreds of people to the Yelch Softball Stadium in Airai State. Most fans were rooting for home teams Kebruka and Despedall but stayed until the end where Guam and Saipan played for the championship.

At the end of the games, Budweiser treated all four teams to a dinner awards banquet and an all-day long Rock Island Tour on Sunday, Nov 13.

Budweiser has a strong history of supporting softball and all sports on Guam, Saipan, and Palau as well as around the world. For additional information on Budweiser’s sports programs and sponsorships, visit www.Budweiser.com.

Budweiser is the world’s best-selling beer and is sold in more than 80 countries around the worldthrough partnerships with international brewers or through independent distributors. Budweiser is imported and distributed locally by Ambros, Inc., Marpac Distributors, and Shimbros International. As the best-selling beer on Guam, Saipan, and Palau, Budweiser is associated with high quality, tradition, integrity and, most importantly, responsibility—characteristics that have made it the King of Beers. (PR)