CNMI Majors and Junior League All-Stars in Korea for As-Pac/Middle East Regional Tourney

A 28-member team of Majors and Junior League All-Stars flew to South Korea early morning Friday, June 26, to participate in the Asia-Pacific & Middle East Regional Tournament from June 27 to July 3.

Despite having limited practice time due to Super Typhoon Sinlaku, the CNMI's Little League players are ready to compete with pride at Hwaseong Dream Park and show the region what they have to offer.

The Juniors Division is in a competitive pool with Japan and defending champions Chinese Taipei, along with American Samoa. They are facing off against American Samoa first on Saturday, June 27, followed by Japan on Monday, June 29, and Chinese Taipei on Tuesday, June 30.

Juniors Division coach Kyle Hocog was asked how the boys are feeling and their mindset heading into it and he said, “Two and a half weeks of preparation is short, but needed. Chinese Taipei are the defending champions for the Junior League World Series and the Little League World Series. So it’s huge. Going in there, being able to give the boys the experience—get the experience and be a part of that—just repping the CNMI hard, big, proud, with a lot of honor—that’s the mindset.”

For Aiden Lizama, an outfielder, pitcher, and third baseman, he said of representing the CNMI, “It feels good finally showing off our island. We’re going there to compete, try out best, win some, lose some, work as a team, and try and bring home a trophy for Saipan—that’s what we’re trying to do.”

As to what he’s looking forward to in the tourney, he said it’s to hit a homer, but most importantly, just playing and having fun with his team.

On how he feels about his team and their chances out there, he said, “It feels good. I think we have the power to beat them. My boys are strong, we’ve been practicing and putting in the hard work, and it all comes down to this.”

The Majors Division are in the same pool as New Zealand, Indonesia, South Korea, and Saudi Arabia.

Majors Division manager Bobby Coldeen, for his part, said, "Everybody please root us on, wish us the best of luck. It’s going to be tough—we didn’t have much time and I’m not here to make excuses—we’re going to show up and we’re going to show out. I’m proud of our boys and I believe in them. We got this.”

With the opportunity to represent the CNMI on this stage in the midst of recovery, he said, “We’ve been through it all—we’re resilient, we like to say that about ourselves. We believe that—and just like in baseball, we might not have the amount of game experience we wish to have this year, but we ain’t scared, we’re ready to take on the challenge.”

The Majors Division team is managed by Bobby Coldeen, with Brandon Lieto and Chuck McDonald serving as assistant coaches. The roster is composed of Jesse Reyes, Gavin Deleon Guerrero, Skyler Leon Guerrero, Madden Deleon Guerrero, Joshua McDonald, Legend Coldeen, Khoen Torres, Carlos Rivera Jr., Elijah Pelisamen, Quinton Muna, Landon Lieto, Wilson Aguilar, Scott Muna, and Jo'ell Herman.

Meanwhile, the Juniors Division team is led by manager Eric Palacios, with Kyle Hocog and Jesse Reyes as assistant coaches. Representing the team are Kaleb Reyes, Liam Sablan, Preston Santos, Aiden Lizama, John Damien Sablan, Trevor Manglona, Byron Cruz, Dayton Marchadesch, Lashawn Ada, Drew Nepaial, Eric Palacios Jr., Kai'po Camacho, Tiwsor Taisakan, and Tim Galvan.