CNMI Unites in Tacoma for Historic 20th Labor Day Softball Tournament

The 20th Annual CNMI Labor Day Softball Tournament has a historic 60 teams participating, and is expecting more than 3,000 people from across the States and Marianas to attend the festivities in Tacoma, Washington, this weekend.

The event officially kicked off yesterday with a Marianas Night Concert featuring island artists who got everyone on the dance floor to celebrate the historic event. It is anticipated to be the most well-attended Labor Day celebration in the tournament’s history.

“It is something we are putting together to bring the culture, to continue to strengthen and teach the culture, and bring on the fellowship as well with our families out here in the stateside. The softball thing has just been a catalyst to this,” Ed Sablan, chair of the Labor Day Committee, told Marianas Press. He added, “It is a big reunion every year and who does not look forward to, you know, having a big party every year.”

Matt Agulto, treasurer of the event’s committee, echoed Sablan’s sentiments. He said the event is a big family reunion.

“Most of us grew up together…and the generations are about the same…We never thought it would be this long. It started out as just a picnic gathering on Memorial Weekend, and then we shifted to Labor Day, and that is when it officially became the Labor Day Tournament,” Agulto said.

Today, coaches and managers from 60 teams across the country will be meeting ahead of this weekend’s games. Last year’s event in Las Vegas had 35 teams participating.