BANGOR, Maine — The Senior League World Series is a long way from Saipan, Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands, which was devastated by a typhoon this week.
The Bangor community, including the staff at Shawn T. Mansfield Stadium, and fans at the tournament, are rallying around the team representing the Asia Pacific region.
Saipan players can only wonder what is happening at home with their families as they play baseball in Maine.
“No, not yet,” Asia Pacific’s Henry Lizama told Nate Long of Comcast SportsNet New England when asked whether he had been able to talk with anyone from his family in Saipan.
“Our lines are down; no power, no water. Our island’s like trashed right now,” said an emotional Lizama.
The fundraising effort under way in and around Mansfield Stadium, and on the Internet, is designed to support the players and coaches of the affected team.
Fans passing through the main gate had the opportunity to put some cash in a bucket earmarked for the cause. And tournament volunteers circulated through the crowd during Wednesday’s Asia Pacific-Maine District 3 game seeking more assistance.
“It would be nice to send the kids back with a little bit of money for their families, but a hundred dollars ain’t gonna cut it,” said enthusiastic Mansfield Stadium manager David Mansfield in encouraging some larger donations.
Volunteers also combed the stands on Tuesday asking for cash donations.
Tournament director Mike Brooker said Tuesday’s collection brought in a little less than $1,000, but he is hopeful that more work behind the scenes may produce some corporate donations.
“Today [Wednesday] we’ve been having some people associated with the city, and others, talk with some service organizations, some other charitable organizations,” Brooker said. “We’re going to try to drum up a little bit more money, and then we’re going to give that to them Friday night at the banquet.”
There also is an Internet initiative spearheaded by Hermon native Erinne Magee. She has created a page on gofundme.com entitled “Relief Fund for Sapain Team.”
“I have no ties to the team or tournament, but several years ago, I had the opportunity to live and work in Saipan for a short time,” Magee said on the site. “To say the island and it’s people are beautiful and good-spirited is a vast understatement.
“As the host city [Bangor], let’s rally behind the team and send them away knowing that community extends beyond the edges of their magical island,” she added.
The site had raised $820 as of late Wednesday night.
Brooker pointed out that the Asia Pacific squad could face significant travel issues in trying to return home.
“To the best of our knowledge, there’s still no air travel in and out of Saipan,” said Brooker, who said the team is slated to arrive in Tokyo on Monday. “They could be stuck in Tokyo for a period of time until there’s some air travel back to Saipan.”
Brooker emphasized that all monies raised connected with the Senior League World Series will go directly to the Saipan players and coaches.
“We want to make sure people understand that it’s for the team that is here, it’s not money that we’re then going to turn over to an international organization because several of the kids have actually lost their homes,” he said.
The Saipan contingent is aware of how the SLWS community has rallied behind it.
“I heard one person up there gathered everybody and started collecting a relief fund for us,” Camacho said. “I want to thank the people of Bangor, Maine, for doing that. I know that our people appreciate that.”