Hosted by the newly organized Chamolinian Softball Association Inc., the league is considered by many as the biggest softball league on Saipan.
The teams acknowledged in the simple opening ceremony are led by 2009 Budweiser King & Queen of the Diamond Champion, Saipal.
The other teams are Go-For-Broke, San Roque, 6-Pack, Lancheros, Hitz, Ur Balls, Chura, Ramblers, Island Rebels, Man Amigos, Team Familia, G-Ballers, Berdax, Freedom Air Flyers, Natibu, Blazers, Advance Xterminators, Team Fuegu, Calikano Falcons and Red Eye.
Calikano Falcons and San Roque were scheduled to battle it out for the opening game at 6:30 p.m., to be followed by 6-Pack versus Team Fuegu at 7:30 p.m., and Go-For-Broke versus Red Eye at 8:30 p.m.
These teams will play in a single round robin with the top ten advancing for the double-elimination play-offs. The bottom half of the playing field or those that will be placed 11th to 21st will also have a separate single-elimination tournament.
Tournament coordinator, Joey Dela Cruz said this format is to give teams that didn’t make it to the top 10 a chance to play more games.
MCV’s Bob Coldeen recalled in his opening remarks how empty the current location of the ball field always was back in the 80s, despite the fact that softball is played more people than any other sports on the island.
In the 90s, he said interest in softball started to dwindle away.
With the help of a number of people who love softball, the idea of putting up a ball field in the area that later became the best place for softball games on s
Saipan.
Coldeen foresaw that children who always play outside the field during leagues will soon take their turn inside.
MARPAC’s Mel Tenorio thanked the Chamolinian Softball Association, its president, Mark Palacios for maintaining the Capital Hill Ballfield.
He swore that as always, MARPAC will continue to be support the softball community.
