THE Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League officially kicked off on Saturday with Jerry Tan and Bob Coldeen throwing the ceremonial first pitch at the “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field.
Saipan Baseball League President Jay Santos, in his remarks, said, “It’s going to be a very exciting season this year and we’re happy to have 11 teams signed up. I would also like to thank our friends from [the Northern Marianas Sports Association], [Tan Holdings Corp. President and CEO] Jerry Tan for your support…and the Umpire Association led by Tony Rogolifoi.”
Tan, who is also the NMSA president, said: “Our company decided to be the title sponsor for this year. We’re really happy to be involved — we’re just glad to have baseball back. Finally, baseball is back!”
He added, “Our national team [was] the gold medalist in the Pacific Mini Games but that is only the kickoff — today is the beginning of our local league. I want to first thank Jay Santos as well as the board of directors of SBL for working so hard in putting the league and this season together.”
For his part, retired KSPN2 sportscaster Bob Coldeen said: “I want to give credit to all the people who made this possible starting way back in 1982. [Then-SBL] President David Igitol and former Rep. Tom Pangelinan — it was him in the CNMI Legislature who got this field named in honor of ‘Tan Ko’ Palacios. After that, decades of unpaid volunteering and exemplary administration from Tony Rogolifoi and Rose Igitol helped sustain baseball in its glory years.”
Jerry Tan, left, and Bob Coldeen, right, prepare for the ceremonial first pitch of the Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Saturday.
Jay Santos, center, delivers his remarks during the opening ceremony of the Tan Holdings Saipan Baseball League at the “Tan Ko” Palacios Baseball Field on Saturday.
