Saipan all set to host regionals

Saipan is all set to roll out the red carpet and welcome more than 200 players and officials when the 2015 Asia-Pacific-Middle East Junior, Senior, and Big League Regional Tournament kicks off next week at the Francisco M. Palacios Baseball Field.

A CNMI Junior All-Stars pitcher makes eye contact with his catcher before delivering a pitch during a training session at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field. The CNMI Junior All-Stars hope to end a five-year drought when they take on powerhouse teams Australia, Guam, Hong Kong, the Philippines, and defending champion Chinese-Taipei in next week’s regional tournament. (Jon Perez)

Saipan is hosting the regional tournament, slated from June 26 to July 4, for the first time since 2008.

The six competing teams in the Juniors are expected to bring at least 20 players and officials each, while 22 and 23 are the probable numbers for the four Senior and four Big League squads, respectively.

The delegation from Australia, Guam, Hong Kong, and the Philippines are expected to arrive on June 24 while a couple more teams are set to plane in before the June 26 opening ceremonies.

The regional tournament organizing committee said buses that will take each team from the airport to Mango Resort, where all delegates are to be billeted, are already available. The committee added that squads that will be arriving early will have to pay for their accommodation and food since the official start of the tournament is on June 26.

“Teams that will arrive before the June 26 opening will be provided accommodation but they will have to pay on their own. They should also inform the committee in advance if they’re going to get food on their own,” said organizing committee director James Ada.

The CNMI, along with Guam and the Philippines, will be competing in all three divisions with the Commonwealth hoping to defend the Senior league crown. Chinese-Taipei is aiming for its second straight Junior and Big League division titles. Australia is competing only in the Juniors division, while Hong Kong will be sending Junior and Senior League teams.

The Juniors division will follow a single round-robin format with the Top 2 teams playing for the title. The Senior and Big league divisions will play two rounds with the top squad facing the No. 4 team and the second-ranked contingent taking on No. 3 in the semifinals.

The CNMI will be facing Guam in the Big League division in the lone opening game at 3pm on June 26, while the hosts and their Southern island neighbor will clash on Saturday in the Juniors at 9am and Seniors at 11am.

Hong Kong battles Chinese-Taipei (Junior) at 1pm, while the Philippines collides with Hong Kong (Senior) at 3pm, and reigning Big League titlist Chinese Taipei will meet the Philippines in the 5pm nightcap.