By Roselyn B. Monroyo
Variety News Staff

THE CNMI Softball Association and Oceania Softball Federation development officer Andrew Purdon has started a series of fast-pitch softball clinics for elementary schools, teaching students at William S. Reyes Elementary School the basics of the sport.
Purdon demonstrated pitching, passing, catching and running techniques to around 30 WSR students .
The clinic lasted for more than two hours with Purdon meticulously teaching the students the proper way to pitch and throw.
In pitching, Purdon told the students to be in a sideways position keeping the feet on the ground and slightly apart. Students were told to hold the ball with their three fingers since they have a small hand, lift the ball above their heads then make an underarm throw releasing the ball only when it reaches the thigh, without twisting the waist. When pitching, the hand with a glove must remain behind the back.
WSR students were also taught the proper way to throw a ball to prevent injury. They also did running drills similar to the ways runners move around the softball field at the school ground.
The series of clinics aims to prepare students for the PSS Interscholastic Softball Tournament in April.
The PSS softball tournament is tentatively set for April 23 and will run for two weeks.
CNMISA vice president John Maratita, who assisted Purdon and WSR teacher Brandon Concepcion in conducting the clinic yesterday, is calling on schools interested in joining the tournament to contact them.
“We have the equipment they need for the game. If they want to be part of the tournament or want to hold a clinic at their school, they just have to inform us and we will be very happy to help them,” Maratita said.
The CNMISA official said the had already received inquiries from Kagman, San Vicente, Koblerville and Oleai regarding the clinic.
He added that the series of clinics are part of the association’s plan to promote fast-pitch softball among the youth.
Maratita said next year they are hoping to hold a tournament similar to the ongoing Saipan Little League Baseball tournament
Helping CNMISA develop the sport on island is Purdon, who arrived on Saipan on Feb. 16 and will stay for three months.
Purdon met with teacher-coaches last week and will spend the next four weeks preparing students for the April tournament.
The Sydney, Australia native is also planning to go to Rota and Tinian to hold similar clinics.