McDonald’s keeps commitment to Little League players

McDonald’s store general manager Joe E. Ayuyu Jr., second left, hands over the ceremonial check to McDonald’s Little League team official Patrick Tenorio Sr., third left, during a turnover ceremony last Tuesday at McDonald’s Middle Road. Also in the photo are manager Donivan Mendiola, left, McDonald’s Middle Road Store 2016 Employee of the Year Celso Reginio. (Contributed Photo)

McDonald’s is among the 10 teams competing in the Majors division of the 2017 Saipan Little League Baseball that will open next month.

“This is our 15th year in the SLLB under the sponsorship of McDonald’s,” team official Patrick Tenorio Sr. said.

“I think our team has the longest corporate sponsor among the participating squads in the SLLB and we are very fortunate to have McDonald’s as our supporter. We can’t thank them enough for their generosity and commitment to our youth program,” Tenorio said.

Tenorio received a portion of McDonald’s annual donation to their Little League team from store general manager Joe E. Ayuyu Jr. during a brief turnover ceremony last Tuesday at McDonald’s Middle Road.

“We would love to see the kids go out and play sports, like baseball, that’s why we intend to keep supporting the Little League team of Mr. Tenorio. We, at McDonald’s want to promote an active lifestyle for our youth by encouraging them to play sports,” Ayuyu Jr. said in a statement sent to Saipan Tribune.

Tenorio said having committed sponsors makes it easier for them to form a team, recruit players, and continue the program.

“My two sons are part of the program. They’re done playing and are now coaching, trying to give back to the community and help out in developing young players,” said the older Tenorio, whose sons Patrick Jr. and Anthony are the head and assistant coaches of McDonald’s.

Meanwhile, McDonald’s will vie for the Majors division title against the defending champions Comets, Little Legals, Red Sox, Falcons, Braves, Pirates 1, Pirates 2, Twins, and the Ol Aces.

In the Junior division, there are only six team—Comets, Braves, Enforces, Red Sox, Ol’Aces, and Falcons. The Falcons are also competing in the Seniors along with the Red Sox, Enforcer, and Blue Jays.

The 2017 season will open on Feb. 9 at 5pm at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield with teams in the Senior League playing in the first and only game that day.

The 20 confirmed squads are asked to turn in requirements during the player document drive, which will run from Feb. 1 to 3 from 5:30pm to 7:30pm at the conference room of the Gilbert C. Ada Gymnasium.

For more information about the SLLB 2017 season, call SLLB president A.J. Murig at 783-2710 or contact him via email at aj_murig@live.com or at saipanllb@gmail.com.