The players’ performances defy pre concluded expectations and parallel those of contracted and highly paid professional ball players; and the games are heating up.
Last weekend the Salty Boys (Open Division) of Melekeok State performed superbly against the Little Reds of Ngaraard State. The Little Reds, composed of young players who are new to the league, earnestly tried to match the level of the Salty Boys performance; however, the Salty proved to be too “fine tuned” to be defeated. The Salty Boys defeated the little Reds with a score of 16 to 6. Ngaraard State fans, however, did not leave field crushed. The Redmen returned the favor and demolished the older Salty Boys (Masters Division) with a score of 23 to 13.In other games, the Ngarchelong Blue Sharks (Open Division), despite having had the lead of 11 to 0 against ChelidWith of Ngiwal State in the opening innings of their game, saw its lead disintegrate as ChelidWith rallied to earn 16 runs in the last innings of the game. ChelidWith won with a final score of 16 to the Blue Sharks’ 11.The older Blue Sharks battled against Kiueluul, Ngiwal’s masters division team in the final game of the weekend. The game was a battle of perseverance and lasted until the final minutes of regulation play. The batting was matched with outstanding defensive plays and the game was close. However, Kiueluul committed a few unexpected errors that eventually decided the outcome of the game. The Ngarchelong Blue Sharks barely won with a score of 17 to 14.The commissioner of the league, Don Bukurou, commented after the games that the players are performing professionally.“All the years of the ECSL has instilled a sense of pride in the players,” Bukorou said. “I think each player no longer feels that ‘it is just a game’ but rather that he or she is playing on behalf of his or her respective state and that losing without a fight is not an option.”Bukurrou further added that the recent rains may flood the ball field and cause postponement of the scheduled games; however, the “The wet weather certainly has not dampen the spirit that drives ECSL, in fact, the wet weather has fueled the desire within each player to be on the field as soon as the skies clear – to be among friends.”
