AFTER a year-long break due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 16th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament was held this year with PAC CHAIN coming out victorious in a tight championship match against SWEET ROLLS 23-20 over the weekend in Boise, Idaho.
PAC CHAIN entered the three-day tournament ready for the challenge and it showed as they blew through the preliminaries with ease, securing a spot in the championship round unscathed 5-0. Their opponent, SWEET ROLLS, earned their shot at the title as they took down FAT BOIZ twice in order to make it to the final round. FAT BOIZ were the 2018 CNMI Labor Day champions.
This year’s championship round started with SWEET ROLLS swinging with confidence and dominating PAC CHAIN who suffered their first loss in the three-day tournament, 8-24.
But in the second and final game of the tournament, PAC CHAIN scored 17 runs in five innings and notched six more in the bottom of the 6th as insurance.
SWEET ROLLS did not show any signs of quitting and kept the pressure on the host team by scoring three runs in the top of the seventh. However, PAC CHAIN’s defense held it together to win the game and the championship, 23-20.
Also recognized were third placer FAT BOIZ (Seattle, WA), DA COUVE (Vancouver, WA), which finished fourth, and the Marianas Native Islanders who won the Sportsmanship Award.
It was PAC CHAIN’s fourth CNMI Labor Day Softball Title. They also won in 2011 in Portland OR; in 2014, again in Portland OR; and in 2016 in Las Vegas NV.
They finished second in 2010 in Kent WA; 2015, Tacoma WA; and 2018, Enumclaw WA.
The PAC CHAIN team members are Jonathan Villagomez, Ton Salas, Jonathan Salas, Chris Salas, Jay Kintol, Justin Kintol, Nate Kintol, Jordan Pangelinan, Shine Tenorio, Ion Rasa, Riley Hayes and Kevin Hallock.
Another power house squad that has won the CNMI Labor Softball championship twice is ATMARAO, out of the state of Arizona.
They won the title in 2015 in Tacoma, WA; and in 2017 in Santa Clarita, CA.
They finished second in 2011, Portland OR; 2013, Glendale AZ; and 2014, Portland, OR.
FAT BOIZ, TNB/MACHALAPUN, SAKUDI, KIMASON, and BULACHERU KINGS are the other teams that participate in the annual showdown.
Teams ADAI HAO, ISAO, CHAMLAU, ISLAND BOYS, TRENCHERS and KOMMONWEALTH also participated in the annual tournament which showcases a lot of former and current CNMI Little, Senior, and Big-League All-Stars.
Many have represented the CNMI in the Micro Games, Mobil Games or South Pacific Games as part of the CNMI Junior National and National Baseball Teams.
These annual tournaments in the states are family reunions for many CNMI residents living on the U.S. mainland. Friends and relatives gather to enjoy playing and watching the game on the diamond. Also highlighted are CNMI culture and the Marianas Way as well as local dishes, live local music, and great hospitality for all ages throughout the weekend.
What started as a six-team tournament in 2005 in Salem OR has now grown much larger and more enjoyable.
The organizers are grateful to Jesse & Jojo Attao (ID), Kelvin Duenas (OR), and folks up in Washington State for opening up the annual softball tournament to all teams outside of the Pacific Northwest.
Before, it was only CNMI residents in Oregon and Washington who played in the softball tournament.
Next year, Washington State will host the event.
The 2021 Boise Labor Day tournament committee would also like to thank all the sponsors, volunteers, umpires and supporters for all their help in making this year’s event safe and successful.
PAC CHAIN, 1st Place
SWEET ROLLS, 2nd Place
FAT BOIZ, 3rd Place
