PIC softball tournament this Thursday

With all of the high-powered softball teams playing in the local slow-pitch leagues, there is no reason that Saipan cannot take down a squad from Guam—especially if the game is on Saipan turf.

That is the hope of SEA manager Jon Cramer of the Pacific Islands Club, as he announced that the 11th Annual PIC Thanksgiving Softball Tournament is returning to the Oleai Sports Complex on Thursday, Nov. 18 through Sunday, Nov. 21.

Last year, the PIC team from Guam made the trip to the CNMI and won the championship in the pouring rain. This year they have announced that they will be returning to defend their title. With the local talent crop beginning to blossom, chances are high that the champs can be dethroned.

“We’re glad the team from PIC Guam is coming back this year because we’re hoping to bring the title back to Saipan, ” said Cramer.

The games of the slow-pitch, double- elimination tournament played on Thursday and Friday will be played in the evening at the Oleai Sports Complex, while the Saturday and Sunday will be played under the sun.

The entry fee for the four-day tournament is $150 per team, and the list of all players (20 players max) must be submitted no later than 1pm on Wednesday, Nov. 17, the full payment has to be in before the first game—i.e. no pay, no play.

Last year, 16 teams vied for a shot at the championship and the assortment of PIC prizes, and this year organizers are looking to have even more teams in the mix. Cramer added that PIC has been joined by Shell Marianas for this year’s softball-a-thon, and that players can look forward to some great prizes from them as well.

Aside from experiencing the satisfaction of getting in a good weekend of softball, the players can take comfort in the fact that a portion of the proceeds will go to the Marianas Tourism Education Council—the organization that governs the My Wave program.

To register for the tournament, pick up roster and waiver forms at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium, and teams can submit the completed forms to Cramer at the SEA office at the PIC or to Tony Rogolifoi at the Ada Gym.

While the schedule of events will be released tomorrow afternoon, teams can contact Cramer by calling 235-6231 ext. 5148 or Rogolifoi by calling 664-2508 for more information.