Big League leads the way to Guam

Before many of the people in the Commonwealth had the chance to shake the sleep from their CNM-eyes, the islands’ representatives for the Asia-Pacific Regional Baseball Tournament were handing their bats and gloves over to the screeners at the Saipan International Airport so that they could board Continental Airlines flight 942, bound for Guam and baseball destiny.

In a meeting for the parents and coaches of the Junior, Senior, and Big League teams yesterday, President of the Saipan Little League Joe Borja covered a variety of topics to tack down any loose ends, just twelve hours before their flight.

Borja discussed flight plans, the time that the players need to be at the airport, the insurance coverage, the proper appearance for the flight, the tournament schedule, the exchange gifts for the teams, and an issue he termed as very serious to the volunteers that are traveling with the team.

“I want to make this very clear, you are not going on vacation. The mission is to support the three teams, not to go out on the town. You are paid by the CNMI government, the public, so do your job.”

Manager Faustino Camacho will be at the helm of the Big Leaguers with the help of coaches Greg Camacho and Robert Bansil, and he believes that his team has made the most of their time to prepare.

“Based on what was actually a short time of practice, I’m pretty confident that our team will do well. I cannot predict whether we will be successful all the way through, but I am confident that they will do well,” said Camacho.

Though he wouldn’t discuss the specifics, Camacho explained that he does several things to get the players on his teams ready for this kind of event that don’t necessarily revolve around baseball.

“I do a lot of basic stuff other than baseball techniques—a lot of conditioning. Physically, the boys are ready, and I am confident that the boys will do well.”

According to Camacho, it’s like a tradition for Guam to do well in the tournament. This year Sam Babauta, Ben Salas, BJ Ser Nicolas, JP Sablan, John Tudela, Jonathan Villagomez, Luis Iguel, Ben Jones, Ricky Jones, Sylvestre Tomokane, Leroy Kani, Jack Lizama, and Jesse Agulto might have what it takes to carry the pride of the CNMI to the Little League World Series.

At the end of the meeting, Borja shared some words of encouragement to all in attendance and reminded the parents and players alike of the task at hand.

“Players, remember sportsmanship. Our mission is to represent the CNMI in the competition. Of course our goal is to win, but please show the people of Guam the character, our character, of the CNMI. Make us proud, not just on the playing field. In my prayers I will be thinking of you and I hope that every time I watch Bob Coldeen that I will hear something good about you guys. And I ask the parents again to go down there and cheer as loud as possible. Make it like it’s Palacios Field, turn it into our field of Saipan.”

Borja ended the meeting by answering questions and by wishing the players, coaches and managers the best of luck.

The Junior Leaguers will be the first to take the field this morning as the CNMI is set to take on Guam. In Game 2, the Seniors of the CNMI will meet the all-stars of the Philippines. The Big Leaguers see their first action on Sunday when they face the Philippines as well.