IN celebration of its 50th anniversary, Tan Holdings Corp. on Wednesday donated a check for $10,000 to the Saipan Baseball League whose 2023 season begins on Saturday, March 25.
“We are very grateful to [Tan Holdings CEO and President] Jerry [Tan] and [his] executive team for bringing baseball back in the CNMI,” SBL President Jay Santos said. “They have always been an important part of our community,” he added.
“We are happy to be part of baseball,” Tan Siu Lin Foundation Executive Director Merlie Tolentino said. The foundation is Tan Holdings’ charitable arm.
Tan, for his part, said: “I’ve known [Jay Santos] for many years and I’m glad Jay agreed to lead SBL. We can’t talk about the NMI without talking about baseball. For many years, baseball was out, but during [last year’s Pacific] Mini Games — with thousands of crowds, fans and players — the NMI somehow was able to still win gold. Imagine if they had full use of the baseball field.”
Tan added, “It means a lot to the community and to me. March 25 will be a very happy day, not just for the players and coaches, but the community. We are also thankful and happy for this opportunity. Without this sponsorship we would not have a chance to get involved with baseball.”
Tan will throw the ceremonial first pitch before the opening games on March 25 at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
Santos said Tan Holdings’ title sponsorship will help SBL “with the utility cost, the field maintenance cost…. It will go a long way in determining the success of our season.”
There will be 11 teams this season: the CK Bears, the Cardinals, the Braves, the Falcons, the Brewers, the Bandits, the Blue Jays, the Junior Nationals, the Comets, the Natives and the D9ers.
They will vie for the title in a single-elimination format.
Also witnessing the presentation of Tan Holdings’ donation on Wednesday in the Ada gym conference room were SBL Vice President George Camacho, board members Kyle Hocog and Shine Tenorio, General Secretary Herman Kintol and Northern Marianas Sports Association board member Alex Sablan.
Jay Santos and Jerry Tan, center, pose with Tan Holdings and Saipan Baseball League officials as well as coaches on Wednesday in the Ada gym conference room.
