The group will include 16 players — all from the Saipan Major League’s 2011 Summer Youth League — and will be coached by Sylvio Ada and Bernard Cabrera.
Manager Tony Rogolifoi knows exactly what to expect next year and has set up a weekly program to prepare the team.
“The other countries usually have taller players and are more aggressive, but we have the programs here to develop our players,” he told Variety.
The tournament will last from January 27 to February 2, with the championship set for the final day. The CNMI will face Guam, Australia, New Zealand, and Palau. American Samoa recently opted out of the tournament.
A maximum of 20 players are allowed per team. Aside from the usual 16-18 age requirement, at least three 15-year-old players may be included in a team’s roster.
The AAA tournament will take place at the Paseo Stadium in Agana.
The national team practices three times a week at the Francisco “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field and may leave around January 25.
The group includes: Dave Hosono, Poland Masaharu, Frankie and Brian Camacho, Davin Ada, Cedric Ada, Russel and Kyle Hocog, Jake Flores, Jonah Flores, Lancaster Secharmidal, Ian Rogolifoi, Carl Camacho, Jerald and Steven Cabrera, and Khobby Kaipat.
The event, used as a qualifier for the 2012 18U Baseball World Championship in Korea, will utilize wooden bats.
The CNMI last competed in the AAA Championship on 2004 in Palau.
3 sluggers to be scouted
Former big leaguers Josh Jones, Keone Lizama, and Juan Maratita will also join the national team in Guam — but they won’t be competing.
The trio will be scouted instead, said Rogolifoi.
They’ll join exhibition games with other Guam-based players during their stay next year.
