LITTLE LEAGUE CONTROVERSY Ada strikes back

James Ada, district administrator of the CNMI Little League Baseball, fired back yesterday against some parents of the players over allegations of incompetence and misspending of public funds by the program’s top officials.

In a letter addressed to a group of concerned parents, he denied accusations that they are using the young players for their own benefit and satisfaction even as he challenged them to back up their claims.

Describing them as misleading, Mr. Ada said these charges are nothing but a work of certain individuals who may have an ax to grind against the officials running the local sports program.

“The Little League board of directors along with my district staff are dedicated volunteer personnel. It is totally a volunteer activity and no one is get paid for this,” he said in his letter.

“They don’t accept this position to gain something but because of the love for the game they call the greatest pastime. Baseball is coming from their heart and not for any position to be recognized,” added Mr. Ada.

The statement was in response to the allegations contained in a March 27 letter addressed to Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio in which the parents sought his assistance in resolving their dispute with Little League officials.

They also called for an investigation into the recent actions of the officials and appealed to the governor to mediate a meeting between the two opposing parties in order to save the program.

But Mr. Ada, in an interview, said he is ready to face his accusers as he expressed disappointment that the group bypassed him and chose to go directly to Mr. Tenorio to air their grievances. “Why can’t they call me?” he asked, noting that he was not even given a copy of the letter.

If they want him out of office, he said that his term will be up in June. He disclosed, however, that he will seek re-election. This is Mr. Ada’s fourth year as district administrator following his election in 1996.

“Officers can nominate anybody, but let the three presidents [of the respective leagues from Rota, Saipan and Tinian] review those nominations. They are the only ones who can vote for the district administrator,” added the current top CNMI official for the Little League.

Asked what was the root cause of the dissatisfaction from some parents of the players, Mr. Ada maintained there is no problem. In fact, they provide for their necessities, and sometimes extravagance, during tournaments here and off-island.

During meetings of the board of directors, parents are usually told on how the money will be spent. If there are families of officials tagging along in overseas trips, Mr. Ada said they always spend from their own pocket.

He also clarified that the program receives only $50,000 in government funding each year, and some of the expenses in off-island games, like accommodation and lodging, are shouldered by host countries.

Subsistence allowance given by the government to players, managers and coaches is for food and other incidental expenses such as dry cleaning service for uniforms. The parents have alleged the money has not been given yet by officials during games on Rota and Palau.

“The Little League Board of Directors have every say so on its… account. It is totally in their discretion on what to do with their funds,” said Mr. Ada.

Donations come through uniforms used by players as well as the $10,000 assistance from Mamoru Itoh from Japan’s Little League.

“Where did you get your information regarding funds being used League officials’ children that went along in the trip? They paid their own way and fed on their own pocket money,” he said.

Mr. Ada said he is proud of his achievement during his tenure as district administrator, such as improving the baseball field at San Vicente school, certification of the umpires and expansion of teams. The CNMI team even won in the Big League Far-East Title for the last two years.

To the concerned parents, Mr. Ada asked them not to “waste your time sending out misleading information as I have no time to retrieve those wild pitches.”