Free summer baseball camp for kids at Tan Ko field

A free summer baseball camp for kids hosted by up-and-coming baseball player Benjamin “Benji” Palacios is under way at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.

The 18-year-old spearheaded the camp for 9-11-year-olds that began last Friday. Even with the age range, some young players below nine showed up and joined the camp.

The first day was last Friday, with the second day last Saturday, and will continue next Friday, July 12 from 2:30pm to 5pm, and Saturday, July 13 from 3:30pm to 6pm.

The first day saw a few participants, with participants more than doubling the second day with about 30 kids.

Palacios, the grandson of whom the baseball field was named after, said that he decided to start the camp because he wanted to give back to the youth. “When I was their age, I traveled for baseball and I want them to continue the same route and represent the NMI,” he said.

The lefty pitcher who played for the NMI Junior National Baseball Team and is now a player for the Blue Jays, said that the camp consists of drills for fielding, hitting, mechanics, and a few batting practices sessions.

On the skill level he’s seen so far, he said, “They still have a lot to work on at their age, but over the years, they’re going to improve for sure.” As for their interest in baseball, the Marianas High School graduate said, “You can see some of these guys, they’re hardworking, and some of them, they’re still in the process—but we’re going to get there.”

For 11-year-old Leilani Ruszala, who was the only girl participant in the camp, she said she joined because she wanted to be better at it. “I started playing baseball this year for fun and I really like it. It’s a good sport,” she said. Her position was first base in her Pirates team in the recent Natibu Sports Association Baseball League.

With the camp, she said, “I like that they’re helping improve kids in baseball and that they’re spending their summer and their free time on this.” She then said she’ll probably be back for the last two days of the camp.

As for Jo’ell Herman, 10-year-old from San Vicente Elementary School, he said he joined because he wanted to play better at batting and catching. He was the catcher for the Blue Jays team during the recent Natibu Sports Association Baseball League and also said that Palacios is his cousin, and that the camp is great so far.

Palacios, a 2025 Pacific Mini Games NMI National Baseball Team hopeful, then thanked the local media for bringing out the news to the community and to the organizers and individuals who helped and supported the camp.

The Saipan Baseball League donated 12 new baseballs, while Rep. John Paul P. Sablan (Ind-Saipan) provided water. The rest of the equipment was provided by Palacios. Palacios also had help from fellow young baseball players Justin Camacho, J.R. Suel, J.T. Tyquingco, Angelo Igitol, and James Salalila.

For more information, contact Palacios at (670) 285-8084 or email palaciosbenjamin670@gmail.com.