By James Sablan
[email protected]
Variety News Staff
THE Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field will see the return of baseball action this weekend as the Seniors Division playoffs of the 2026 Saipan Little League Inc. resume, with four teams — Fielders, NSA Braves, Kagman Lions, and Ol’Aces — vying for a spot in the championship game.
The Fielders have locked down the coveted No. 1 seed in impressive fashion, finishing the regular season with a perfect 8-0 record. They enter the postseason as the favorites, but three determined teams stand in their way. The NSA Braves finished second with a 5-2 record, followed by the Kagman Lions at 4-4 and the Ol’Aces at 2-5.
The Seniors Division playoffs begin today, Friday, with the NSA Braves taking on the Kagman Lions at 9 a.m. Game 2 will follow at 2 p.m., featuring the Fielders against the Ol’Aces.
On Saturday, the consolation game will be played at 9 a.m. between the losers of Games 1 and 2.
The championship game is scheduled for 9 a.m. Sunday and will feature the winners of Games 1 and 2.
While the Seniors Division will crown its champion this weekend, local baseball fans will have to wait a bit longer for the league’s grand finale.
League officials said the closing ceremony will likely be postponed until a later date to accommodate the Majors and Junior All-Stars, who are currently preparing to compete in the Asia-Pacific Regional Tournament. Once those teams return home, they will complete their respective playoff schedules, allowing all divisions to conclude their seasons together.
James Sablan has been a sports reporter for Variety since 2013. He was a liberal arts student of Northern Marianas College and covers all local sports.
