Marikina hosts Asia Pacific bronco, junior baseball

It’s all systems go for the Asia Pacific Zone Bronco Baseball Championship and the Pan Pacific Junior Baseball Games at the Sto. Nino baseball grounds in Marikina City.

Boy Tingzon, president of the Philippine Tot Baseball Foundation, made the announcement during yesterday’s PSA Forum at the Pantalan Restaurant in Manila.

The Asia Pacific event is scheduled July 22-26 while the Pan Pacific event is lined up Aug. 12-16.

Competing in the first event are teams from Japan, Chinese Taipei, the Philippines and the host city. South Korea was supposed to field a team but begged off due to pressing matters within its organization.

The RP team is made up of a selection of boys from Metro Manila and nearby cities while Marikina City, being the host, was given the right to field a team. The tournament is reserved for 12-year-old boys.

In the August event, the title will be disputed by teams from Singapore, Japan, Chinese Taipei, Australia, Indonesia, Philippines and again, the host city. Players are aged 15 years and below.

Tingzon hailed Marikina City Mayor Maria Lourdes Fernando for her continued support in sports. Just recently, the city hosted the National Women’s Football Championship. It will also host the women’s football of the 23rd SEA Games in November.

"This is a great opportunity for Filipinos to see how world class baseball is played in their respective age groups. It is also a step toward making the game a spectator sport that it used to be," said the mayor.

Expected to grace the opening ceremonies of the two events are Asian baseball officials, Embassy representatives and local officials — both in government and sports.