2024 SBL season tees off today

The much-anticipated 2024 Saipan Baseball League season tees off today, Monday, April 15, at the Francisco “Tan Ko” M. Palacios Baseball Field.

It’s a return to the diamond for CNMI’s major league sluggers with 13 teams vying for the championship—last season’s champions the Cardinals, the Natives, Falcons, Sandlot, Royals, Whitesox, Blue Jays, Bandits, Braves, BlueShark, Bears, D’9ers, and Padres.

The first game tonight at 6:30pm is between the Cardinals and the Falcons. Before the first pitch, an awards ceremony for the 2023 season will be held at 6pm.

Games this season are scheduled from Monday through Thursday at 6:30pm at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Softball Field. Fridays and Saturdays are reserved for make-up games.

League coordinator and SBL board member Shine Tenorio invites the community out to watch and support the teams as the season unfolds. He said, “we’re excited to start our SBL season… We have 13 teams playing a 10-game season each. Each team will not be playing two teams but it looks to be an exciting season. The Top 7 will be included in the playoffs and will be vying for the championship.”

Tenorio said it’ll be about 5-6 months long depending on the weather as it comes into the rainy season.

Before the opening game tonight, he said an awards ceremony for last season will take place to award last season’s winners. “We never got to it because we were so busy and we apologize for delaying it,” said Tenorio.

“We would like to thank the [Northern Marianas Sports Association] and their staff Nate [Guerrero] and Janelle [Pangilinan] for helping teams secure practice times at the field, and also taking care of facilities. Also like to thank Alvin Takai and Derron Flores for getting the field ready for Monday (today),” said Tenorio.

“Also big thank you to Tan Holdings for getting us started last year and for their continued support,” he said.

He added, “SBL would also like to give a shout out to Natibu Sports Association for getting the U15 and U12 games rolling this weekend (Sunday).”

In the 2023 SBL season, the regular season was dominated by an undefeated Cardinals team and took the championship home after winning two of three in the championship series against the Junior Nationals.