By Jonathan V. Perez
Variety News Staff

THE Saipan Little League Baseball Association opened registration for a two-day mini camp to be conducted by Toronto Blue Jays third baseman JR Hattig next week.
Hattig’s mini camp is made possible through the efforts of Jerry Ayuyu of Crime Stoppers.
Hattig, the first Guam/Micronesian player to make it to the major league, will hold a mini camp on Jan. 27 and 28 at the Oleai Sports Complex.
Borja said the SLLBA will hold a press conference on Monday, Jan. 22, at 10 a.m. at the Gilbert C. Ada Gym conference room to let the public know of Hattig’s arrival.
“We just want to let people know that he is coming. (Hattig) will hold a mini camp for all interested players just like (Kouichi) Taniguchi did last year,” said Borja in an interview.
Borja was referring to the one-day clinic held by Japan’s former Major League pitcher Taniguchi in August last year. Taniguchi played for the New York Mets.
“The mini camp is open not only to kids who will be playing in the upcoming Little League season. The camp is open to all interested participants. Even if you do not have a team in the Little League you can join.”
Borja said he wanted all kids to have of the chance to learn from a Major League professional player.
Hattig, who was born in Tamuning and resides in Dededo, will arrive on Saipan on Jan. 26, Friday. He played 13 games this season in the MLB posting a .333 batting average and getting three RBIs.
For more information about the mini camp, call Borja at 322-0340 or 322-9888/9451 or Ayuyu at 287-9104.
In other news, SLLBA president Joe Salas reminded teams that will be joining in the second Co-ed Softball Tournament Fundraiser to attend a meeting today at 6 p.m. in the Ada Gym conference room.
Salas said the deadline for submission of team rosters will be at the meeting. The entrance fee is $100 per squad.
The softball fundraising tournament will be held on Jan. 20 and 21 at the DanDan Elementary School Ballfield.
This will be the SLLBA’s last fundraising before the 2007 season opens on Feb. 11 at the Francisco M. Palacios Ballfield.
For more information, call Salas at 483-7511 or SLLBA treasurer Annie Flores at 664-8800 or softball tournament vice chairman John Maratita at 287-7350.
On Dec. 10, the Man Amigos scored a 13-7 win over Watta Guy to claim the Saipan Little League Softball Fundraising Tournament crown.
More than 20 teams joined in the softball tournament.