Regional tournaments all but set for 2006

KITAKYUSHU, Japan—While all of the teams enjoyed a day off before today’s closing ceremonies, the powers that be in the Asia-Pacific region gave a glimpse of what the future holds in store for next year’s all-stars by revealing the location of the 2006 Asia-Pacific Regional Tournaments.

According to regional director B.H. Chow, getting the nod for the Little League division for the second time since 2001 is Hong Kong, while the 2006 Junior, Senior, and Big League tournaments will be held in Jakarta, Indonesia for the first time since 1995.

The games in Hong Kong will take place in Ma On Shan Field under the watchful eye of tournament director Simon Li, and Chow said that the facilities would rival that of this year’s event.

“It’s a soccer field converted into a baseball field and the players will be staying at YMCA Camp which is much like the facility that housed the teams in Japan,” he said. “Last time the tournament was in Hong Kong it was quite successful. We had 10 countries participate. It’s a lot closer since it’s in the middle of Asia, and it’s a great pleasure to host our friends from overseas.”

When the teams make the journey to Indonesia they will have the benefit of staying together as the Jakarta facility boasts four fields in the same location and a nearby four-star hotel that will allow the players and their families to stay together.

While the region’s district administrators still have to make it official with a vote when they meet next January in Taipei, Taiwan, it’s all but assured that the locations are set.

As far as this year’s tournament is concerned, CNMI district administrator James Ada made a few observations to include the lack of a championship in lieu of the team with the best record getting the bid for the mainland and contrasted the different styles of different host cities.

“This is Japan’s first time to host the tournament since 15 years ago in 1990. The playing field is fine, most of the umpires are from Tokyo, and the games were at two different sites. [The round-robin format] was brought up at the DA’s meeting but we don’t run this thing—they run this tournament. We have to abide by it and Mr. Chow agrees with it because it’s a totally different place and it all depends on who the tournament director is. It’s common sense when you look at it when you’ve come a long way. Take New Zealand for example, I don’t know how many hours it takes to get here, and they have to go to Singapore first to get here and it’s a lot of expense and a lot are expecting that after round-robin play that there’s going to be a championship,” he said.

Twelve-year-old John Maratita is one of the players who will be vying for a shot on the CNMI Junior squad and said that he will take back some valuable lessons to his teammates that could help them succeed in Indonesia.

“Just play harder and have more commitment. It’s just another level for us and I’ll just try to make it to the all-star again,” said Maratita.