By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

OCEANIA Softball Federation development officer Andrew Purdon is back on the NMI and will stay for three months to help develop the sport on the island.
Purdon arrived on Saipan yesterday morning and went to the Miguel “Tan Ge” Basa Pangelinan Ballfield to watch games in the ongoing 2007 Saipan Little League Baseball tournament.
The Oceania official said he will help the NMI softball association develop programs, not only for adults, but also for kids.
Purdon said he will be conducting clinics for elementary and high school students.
He met with officials of SLLB and its president Joe Salas said they are looking forward having the little leaguers attend Purdon’s series of clinics.
Salas added that through Purdon, they are hoping to expand girls’ softball.
Aside from players’ clinics, Purdon will also hold seminars for coaches and umpires.
He added that he will be bringing new equipment that will be used for local tournaments and training.
“I am here to assist the local association in whatever possible ways to improve the sport of softball on the island,” Purdon said.
Purdon also disclosed that he will help the local association select players for the men’s and women’s teams that will participate in the Oceania Softball North Pacific Championships which will be held this year on Guam.
“We have a lot of things lined up in the next three months and we hope to get the support of the public in these worthy activities,” Purdon said.
Purdon was on Saipan more than seven months ago for the 6th Micronesian Games. He also held umpire, players and coaching clinics last year and helped prepare the NMI teams for the Micro Games.
When he was on island last year, he vowed to help the NMI prepare for the 13th Pacific Games in Apia, Samoa. But that would not happen, as the commonwealth will not be sending teams to the quadrennial meet due to financial problems.
When Purdon left the island a few days after the Micro Games, he encouraged softball officials to have a standby National Team that will be ready for international tournaments any time.