NMASA honors Hall of Fame inductees

Four giants of sports were recognized for their relentless efforts in shaping their respective fields last night during the annual NMASA Athlete of the Year banquet at the Dai-Ichi Hotel Saipan Beach.

For baseball’s Francisco M. Palacios (administration), athletics’ Kurt Barnes (coach), tennis’ Irene Alpet (athlete-posthumous), and softball’s Tony Satur (athlete), getting inducted into the CNMI Sports Hall of Fame was just a matter of NMASA creating the prestigious recognition.

All four have a long list of accomplishments, and their records speak for themselves, setting the bar higher for all who intend to find success in sports in the CNMI.

Palacios has served as the official scorekeeper of the Saipan Major League since its inception in 1982, providing historical record for every game, every season, and every player who has played in the league.

“Records are intrinsic to the overall appeal of baseball, and thanks to Mr. Palacios, Saipan has a complete and accurate statistical record for pitching and hitting throughout its organized existence,” the SML said in nominating Tan Ko’, as Palacios is known.

Palacios’ service dates back to the 50s beginning in 1951 when he kept score for the first baseball games involving locals and military teams. He was also the official baseball scorekeeper in the 1969 Micronesian Games, and according to SML, Palacios still has the original score sheets.

He is considered an expert on the science of baseball scorekeeping and has maintained that reputation throughout the decades.

For her part, Alpet dominated the tennis courts like no other, with her attacking style drawing interest from spectators and tennis enthusiasts.

According to Northern Marianas Islands Tennis Association vice president Jeff Race, Alpet was considered a favorite to win nearly all matches she played throughout her career, from the mid-1970s to the early 1990s. Sadly, she passed away in the early 90s while still at the top of her game in the women’s tennis scene.

Alpet also represented the Commonwealth in international competition, seeing action in the 1979 South Pacific Games and the 1990 Micronesian Games, where she earned a bronze medal with partner Hiroko Amemiya.

She has tallied many titles and was named NMASA Female Athlete of the Year in 1986 and 1989.

Meanwhile, Barnes has been active in Commonwealth sports since 1966. The current president of the Northern Mariana Islands Track and Field Federation guided the NMI National Women’s Volleyball team to a gold medal in the 1969 Micronesian Games, and has coached teams to championship crowns in the island-wide women’s softball scene.

The highly respected athletics official will always be remembered as the first administrator of public school leagues in both high school and elementary levels, developing youths who would later take over and dominate in local sports as well as shine in regional events.

“Kurt epitomizes what a Hall of Famer should be,” said NMITFF vice president Louie Wabol. “He is a role model, teacher, friend, champion, and always willing to go to the extra stage to ensure that activities and programs are in place for the citizens of the CNMI.”

For his part, Satur has been the face of CNMI fast-pitch softball, dominating the pitching scene from a young age until today.

He was the youngest player ever to start in the Men’s Islandwide Fast Pitch League at the age of 14 in 1970, and the very next year, became a member of the Micronesian All Star fast pitch softball team to the South Pacific Games, which won the silver medal.

Satur was twice a member of the CNMI team to the ISF World Tournament in Midland, Michigan, and in 1993, was a member of the CNMI squad that took bronze at the Arafura Games in Australia.

Saipan Softball Association president Robert Guerrero said Satur has been a feared pitcher for many years, leaving opposing batters dumbfounded, and has gained the respect of many, even those who have never taken the field against or with him.

In 1995, he pitched a perfect game, and from 1996 to 2002, dominated pitching categories from strikeouts to earn run average, to name a few.

Satur also continues to assist youth programs, including the Saipan Little League.