NMI, like the other member countries, has been sending youths to the BCO training center but according to Saipan Major League Baseball president Rose Igitol, this year’s batch has the biggest number of participants from NMI.
This year’s Baseball Academy students from NMI are Saipan Little League junior division’s Cedric C. Ada, Frankie B. Camacho, Jonah M. Flores, Arthur Jebehn, Henry T. Rabauliman, Jeremy O. Rabauliman, Justin Reyes, Ian I. Rogolifoi; senior league’s David Hosono, Keoni Lizama, and big league’s Vince Cepeda.
They were selected from the 35 players picked for the initial screening that started a few weeks ago.
They will be accompanied by coaches, Syl S. Ada, Mark Flores and Saipan Little League Baseball Inc., president, Tony Rogolifoi who will also attend a separate training for coaches.
The Baseball Academy will start tomorrow in Hagatna.
The academy aims to establish a program that will allow each country to achieve a higher level of understanding of the teaching, development and commitment necessary to play at their highest attainable level, to provide each player an opportunity to achieve a better understanding of the skills necessary to play at their highest attainable level, to provide coaches an opportunity to achieve a higher understanding of the baseball and sports development knowledge needed for player and game development and to provide umpires with opportunity to develop their umpiring skills to the highest attainable level.
Igitol said, “These kids stuck it out for the past month and a half with BCO development officer, Ray Brown and then Tony Rogolifoi took over from where Ray left off.”
With these 11 picks giving all their bests to stand out among others shows their commitment and the desire to become better ball players, she added.
“I want to thank the coaches, Syl Ada and Mark Flores and the parents for believing in the program and playing a big role in your kids’ baseball career. Lastly, on behalf of the Academy Team, I’d like to give a big appreciation to the Division of Youth Services, DCCA, and the Saipan Little League Board for their assistance,” Igitol said.
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