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SML needs just another day
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Posted on Aug 09 2005
The sun made its triumphant return to the CNMI skies yesterday after a weeklong hiatus behind the clouds, but despite one of the nicest days in a while, the conditions at Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field were still considered less than ideal for both preparation and for play.
The phone was ringing off the hook at the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium yesterday as site coordinator and Saipan Major League coordinator Tony Rogolifoi explained to many players and fans that the postseason would have to wait another day as the surface of Tan Ko Field was still not ready for action.
“Today is clear, it’s just that the field is still wet from the rain last night and this morning. We’re still waiting for the dirt to dry up so we can ask the [Department of Public Works] if they can provide us a bulldozer so that by [today], we should be ready for the playoffs,” he said.
A number of players stopped by the Oleai facility to double check the schedule after feeling the rays of the sun, but they were sent away disappointed. The good news is that the games will commence tonight so long as the same conditions as yesterday return.
Though the Northern Yankees took the pennant to wrap up the regular season months ago, the postseason action was put on hold to provide the CNMI all-star team ample time to prepare for the international competition. Now that the Mini-SPG’s are finished and the players have returned, the only thing that will further delay the race for the championship is the weather. If today is anything like the dry heat of yesterday, the playoffs will be a go with the Yankees facing off against the Budweiser Kings tonight at 6:30pm. More dry weather will allow the defending champion Miller Lite Brewers and the Ford Rangers to continue the postseason schedule with the start of their best-of-three series tomorrow night. The winners will advance to a best-of-five series in the championship.
