The Ongiall Association, which conducts and officiates both leagues, met with team managers of last year’s participating teams; and they have developed a schedule of games.
According to Don Bukurrou, president of the Ongiall Association, the leagues should have started last month.“At the end of last season, the team managers had shown interest in beginning the East and West Coast softball season a little earlier in the year,” said Bukurrou. “Games should have already begun last month; however, unforeseen circumstances and events have pushed schedules forward.”Bukurrou said that all issues that caused the delay of the opening of the season have been addressed and all scheduled games will begin this Sunday – barring that the weather does not worsen.“Right now, the only thing that can postpone the opening of the season is the weather,” he said. “I am confident that this weekend the sun will come out and so would the participating teams.”The East Coast league is composed of teams from the following states: Kayangel, Ngarchelong, Ngaraard, Ngiwal, Melekeok, and Ngchesar; and the West Coast league is composed of teams from Ngardmau, Ngaremlengui, Ngatpang, and Aimeliik states.Each league is divided into two divisions – an open division for players under the age of 40 and a masters division for players who are 40 and up. According to Bukurrou, each represented state has two teams, one for each of the divisions.“Each of the participating state has registered a team into each of the divisions,” Bukurrou said. “A total of 12 teams will play in the East Coast league and 8 teams will play in the West Coast league.According to Bukurrou, the East Coast league games will be played in Ngarchelong while West Coast League games will be played in Ngaremlengui.“We are inviting everyone to either of the fields to witness the opening of the leagues season,” he said. “Short opening ceremonies will be held at each respective field simultaneously at 11:30 a.m. to commemorate the opening of the season.”Bukurrou said that all games are scheduled to begin at 12:30 each Sunday. A complete schedule of games for the East and West Coast leagues will furnished to all interested upon request.
