Little League, CDC partner to host baseball world series qualifier

MANILA, Philippines – Little League  Philippines and Clark Development Corporation on Tuesday formalized their partnership for the hosting of the 2013 Asia-Pacific Middle East Tournament on June 30-July 8, a world series-qualifying event also aimed at making Clark Freeport Zone a sports hub.

Little League district administrator Jolly Gomez and CDC chairman Art Tugade signed a memorandum of agreement at the Philippine Sports Commission conference room, together with assistant district administrator Chito Gonzales and CDC legal counsel Vic Aguirre.

"According to chairman Tugade, next year he wants to make a proclamation that Clark is sports; they will bring sports back to Clark as a way to promote Clark. In order to jumpstart Clark sports, Little League, together with CDC and PSC, are hosting the AsPac tournament and we'll start with youth sports," said Gomez.

"By being proud and supportive of this event, we'll be able to rightfully say: it's more fun in the Philippines," said Tugade.

Preparations for the hostilities featuring teams from all over the region are in full swing, according to CDC tourism promotion office manager Noemi Garcia.

"We're starting to rehabilitate the Clark Parade Ground, which will be the venue for the games, as well as preparing box stops and outfields and other requirements," Garcia said of the 22-hectare grounds, which will accommodate 11 fields.

Arrangements for the billeting of some 2,000 expected guests are also being finalized.

"The participating teams will be housed under one village, the Montevista Villas, which is a just across the Parade Grounds, while the rest of the entourage, like parents, will be billeted all over Clark and even outside of Clark," said Garcia.

To date, a total of 56 teams from 15 countries have confirmed their participation in the big tourney.

The Philippines will field bets in all nine divisions – Tanauan City (Little League Baseball and Junior League Baseball), ILLAM (Senior League Baseball), Muntinlupa (Big League Baseball), NCR (Intermediate 50/70), Iloilo (Little League Softball and Junior League Softball), Sta. Cruz (Senior League Softball) and reigning world titlist Manila (Big League Softball).