CNMI Junior, Senior all-stars not going to regionals

The Junior and Senior CNMI all-star teams will not be competing in this year’s Little League Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament, according to Saipan Little League board members Annie Flores and Patrick Tenorio.

“We’re deeply sorry the kids are unable to go,” said Tenorio during an 11th hour meeting of about 20 parents and coaches yesterday at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.

“The whole time the kids were practicing they told us to look after what’s in front of you and we’ll take care of what’s behind you,” added Tenorio.

The “we” to whom Tenorio was referring was Saipan Little League District Administrator James Ada and acting administrator Mike Borja who were not present at the meeting.

Naturally, their absence was the very first question asked by those in attendance.

The Senior League all-stars swept last year’s Asia-Pacific regionals in Jakarta, Indonesia. This marks the first time ever that Saipan will not be able to send a team or teams to the Little League regionals.

The Major and Big League teams, meanwhile, are still expected to appear.

The regional tournament for the Major division will be held in Guam from July 7 to 15. Jakarta, Indonesia, meanwhile, will host the Junior League regional tourney from June 26 to 29, while the Senior and Big League regionals will be held in the Philippines from June 26 to July 1.

The Senior team alone would need over $20,000 just to cover the airfare to the Philippines and would still need additional funding to pay for its hotel, food, and transportation expenses.

“The defending Asia-Pacific champion Senior League CNMI All-Stars are in dire need of help to raise funds for their title defense,” said Tenorio in an interview held after the meeting.

Tenorio added that the travel plans require the team to leave by Saturday, June 25, but to work out flight plans with the travel agencies he would need to obtain the funding preferably by Monday or Wednesday at the very latest.

“From here on out, every day we wait, the higher the airline tickets get,” said Tenorio.

Flores was also apologetic and shared that during her conversations with Borja for the past two weeks, he told her not to worry and just get the teams ready.

Flores was directed to go through Borja because Ada is on medical leave, however Ada did attend the CNMI district tournament on Rota last month and even met with Borja, Rota Mayor Melchor Mendiola, and various Rota Little League organizers to discuss preparing a bid for Rota to host next year’s Senior an Big League Asia-Pacific Tournament.

After two weeks of exchanges, Flores received a call Monday morning from Ada and Borja, who were together, and was flatly informed that Little League would need $100,000 by Tuesday, June 14, or the two teams would not be able to book the trip.

Tenorio then informed the party that the trip to Rota for the CNMI district tourney was more expensive than expected and also reasoned with the parents that he did not want the players to stay in a lodging with questionable or unsafe accommodations.

The Rota trip cost $25,000, which was provided by the Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos.

“Well that’s still a waste of money to send the kids to Rota if they do not get to compete in the regionals,” cried some members in the audience.

Other issues raised included fundraising ideas for next season and modifications to next year’s Little League board election where elected members will be locked-in to a three-year term in effort to reinforce commitment from the management level down.

If anyone would like to help support the teams, contact Tenorio at 286-8625.