Manager Chel Castro, Head Coach Randall Aguon, and Assistant Coach and Congressman George Camacho will be leading group of 14 players to take on Guam and the Philippines, among other participants.
Compared to last year’s regionals in Indonesia, Guam has raised the entry fee to $4,000 per team, which will include food and lodging.
According to Castro, the Saipan Little League’s funds worth $6,000 will be split in half between the majors and big divisions. In addition, $3,200 is required to accommodate the Majors Division All-Stars’ round trip airfare.
Dave Cepeda and a handful of concerned parents are doing their part to fundraise for their children’s trip, and are asking businesses and the rest of the community for help. According to them and Castro, Senator Ralph Torres has agreed to cover half of their airfare.
“We’re kindly asking the community for support and financial assistance. We’re doing what we can to help the kids out,” Castro told Variety.
As part of their fundraising efforts, the team will conduct coin drives today and next week Wednesday and Friday from 3:30 to 6 p.m. at the intersection near Microl Toyota at San Jose.
Castro stated that in past meetings with Lt. Governor Eloy Inos and Congressman Camacho, the government was unable to provide financial assistance to any teams this year.
Should the need arise, however, Cepeda and other fellow parents will compensate for any remaining costs.
Meanwhile, All-Stars’ catcher and right fielder Juden Joyner had mixed feelings about the upcoming regionals.
“I’m both nervous and excited. It feels good, but I feel sorry for them (Junior and Senior Leagues) because they worked hard to make it but they can’t go,” he said.
“I don’t think it’s fair. They should put aside some funds for the baseball association.”
After playing in the majors division for four years, Joyner will advance to the Junior League next year. He recently recovered from a minor hand injury during the CNMI district tournament in Rota last month.
Fellow teammates Allen Cepeda and Cedric Camacho were geared up as well, with the latter making his second attempt for the World Series.
The Little League All-Stars will depart on July 8 and return on the 16th.
Any individuals seeking to aid them may contact Castro at 287-0302 or Cepeda at 285-0931.
The Big League All-Stars are all packed and ready to leave tomorrow morning to the Philippines, where they will face both the hosting country and Guam.
