By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE Budweiser Saipan Major League 2007 season will kick off on March 5 with the defending champion Bud Kings opening the hostilities in the annual tournament at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Ballfield.
According to SML coordinator Tony Rogolifoi, four other teams will be joining the Marpac-sponsored Bud Kings in the hunt for this year’s championship. They are the Ford Rangers of Ford Motors, the Masters of attorney Bob O’Conner, Saipan Korean Jaguars of Viva Casino and the Tanapag Braves.
Rogolifoi said that a team to be managed by Jess Wabol also expressed an interest in joining the 2007 SML tournament.
In the kickoff game, the Bud Kings will face last year’s runnerup the Ford Rangers. On March 7, the Masters will meet the Jaguars, while the Braves might debut against the sixth team on March 9.
Rogolifoi said the final schedule of games will be released once the rosters and other requirements are turned in.
The entrance fee is $800, which is due before the opening of the season.
New teams are also asked to pick up waiver and roster forms from Rogolifoi.
Last year’s SML tournament went down to the wire with the Bud Kings and the Rangers playing fives games in the championship showdown.
The Kings, who also grabbed the pennant, took the championship after a 7-4 victory in Game 5.
They denied the Rangers’ bid for back-to-back titles.
The Bud Kings also dominated the individual awards with A.J. Allen claiming the Finals Most Valuable Player trophy and James Kintol taking the regular season MVP, Pitcher of the Year and Rookie of the Year awards.