SSA spoiled by rain again

While fans and players have been anxiously awaiting the resumption of the Saipan Softball Association following the holiday break, the men and women of the diamonds have been experiencing some difficulty convincing Mother Nature to let them take the field.

Since the resumption of games on Tuesday, Jan. 3, the Men’s Island-Wide Fast-Pitch and Women’s Island-Wide Slow-Pitch leagues have combined for two nights of play—one each.

According to SSA president Ray Palacios, Tan Ge Softball Field at the Oleai Sports Complex was finally dry enough for the women to play ball last night, but the possibility of rain continued to cast a doubt amongst the underhanded community.

On the men’s side, the D-9ers are currently tied with the Seabees ‘4’ atop the high-speed hurlers division with matching 4-1 records, but the competition isn’t too far behind. The Islanders are in the middle of the pack at 2-3, but their talent closet is chock full of skillful players that can catapult them well above the Mendoza line.

The same can be said for the Kagman Lancheros, who have raised eyebrows with their rapid improvement from the bunch of relative newcomers that hit the field running last season. Despite holding down the fourth position in the five team league at 1-3, the Lancheros have the potential to make a playoff run in the future.

It goes without saying that the Proa is one of the most dangerous clubs in town, and the fact that the team with Saipan’s most famous pitcher is 1-4 could lull some teams into thinking that they are an easy “W” on the schedule.

On the women’s side, teams are still looking for a way to knock off the undefeated Bomsoro squad that has cruised to an unmarred 5-0 record thanks to a healthy cast of all-stars and crafty veterans. The club with the best shot of doing so may be the second place Mix-A-Lot.

At 3-1, Mix-A-Lot can mix it up with the best teams on island, but they will have to bring their “A” game to Tan Ge when they meet Bomsoro. The Hitters need to do the same, and they also have plenty of firepower to get the job done.

The Hitters are just a half-game behind Mix-A-Lot in the standings at 3-2, and they are all set to take on Bomsoro tomorrow night. It will be a good game, but only if the Hitters bring their full compliment of impact players to the ballpark.

Everything has been going fine for Its Okay, as their so-so season has them on an even keel at 3-3. The middle of the pack is not a bad place to be, as the Pacific Amigas (2-3) and the Tanapag Lady-8ers (1-4) would attest, but while they are looking to climb the ladder of success, the Sai-Steve Rookies are looking to stop holding it for them.

At 0-4, the Rookies are still in search of the winning feeling, but each of their games is more of a learning experience than a competition. If coach Mel Sakisat continues to guide them, they are bound to pull out a victory in the near future.