Palacios, Laniyo, and Pritchard lighting up the Belau League

There won’t be any softball being played on the marshy damaged fields of Saipan anytime soon, but as the island recovers from the effects of Supertyphoon Chaba, it’s time to reflect upon sunnier days when the bats of the Belau Softball League were in full swing at the Dan Dan Softball Field.

Of the top 10 sluggers with at least 26 at bats, all but one have an average at or above .600. That’s great news for the hitters and their fans, but it’s not too comforting for the pitchers and the fielders.

Joltin’ Joe Palacios leads the way with an average of .678, muscling out 19 hits in 28 appearances at the plate for Ready Mix. Right behind Palacios is Swingin’ Stan Laniyo of Servistar with an evil batting average of impressive .666, and Cole Pritchard, the Colossus of Crush from the P.I.C. at .633. Pritchard is also leading the league in doubles, with five.

In fourth place is Frances George of the Recruits with a .620. George has managed to hit safely in18 of 29 plate appearances, while Tom Torres of the Bombers and Kinziro of Ngardmau are all knotted up at .615.

Poland Masaharu of Peleliu is next on the hit list with a .607, while Jonathan and Jerome Delos Santos are providing ready bats for Ready Mix with twin .600 averages. The DLS Express doesn’t stop there as the brothers are among the league leaders in runs scored, RBI’s, and homers.

Jerome is tied for second in runs scored with 18, and tied for third with 14 runs batted in, while Jonathan has the most ribbies with 20. The J and J one-two punch have been providing steady “O” for Ready Mix with six dingers apiece.

Last but not least on the list of top batting averages is Leo Bobai of Peleliu, with a .558. Bobai has been more than consistent, going 19-for-34 at the plate.

Nobody has hit more three-baggers than John Reyes (3), but Dex Palacios is hot on his trail with two. Reyes also leads the league with 20 runs scored.

There is a familiar name in a familiar place in the homerun race, as Joey Dela Cruz continues his dominance over the island with seven fence-clearing salvos to lead the league.

Tied with the DLS Express are Laniyo and Sakuma with six, followed by Joe Lizama and Nick Castro with a nickel per.

In a league that is practically owned by the hitters, pitchers rarely receive praise, but there are a few under-handers that are deserving of a pat on the back.

With the power out around the island, Henry Palacios has been providing his services, fanning 17 batters to lead the league. The lowest earned run average belongs to Frances George with 2.04. Ray Villagomez has the second lowest ERA with a 2.21 followed by Bob Coldeen with a 2.33.

If the weather clears up, you can see these players in action every weekend at the Dan Dan Softball Field. All of the underhanded lobs and moon-shots begin at 9am on Sunday mornings at the park on the hill.