Mainer loyal to Philippines team Experienced team enjoys Bangor

BANGOR – He was proudly waving a flag from the Philippines.

Mount Vernon’s Mark Grenier had good reason to wave the flag for Asia-Pacific champions Makati City in their Senior League World Series game against District Three titlist Bangor on Monday: that’s where he spent the first two and half years of his life.

Grenier, who is now 27, explained that he was born in the Philippines and was abandoned by his parents at birth.

He was eventually sent to an orphanage before being adopted by Maine couple Bob and Leslie Grenier when he was two and a half.

He has lived in Maine ever since.

Even though he has never returned to the Philippines, he still feels a sense of loyalty.

“I was born there. I miss my country,” said Grenier, who doesn’t remember much about his time in the Philippines.

“I remember flying to the U.S. It was a 20-hour flight,” said Grenier.

He said he remembers being “scared” about meeting his new parents and pointed out that “I didn’t know any English.”

But he felt more at ease when he met his new brother, Scott, who is five years older than him.

The flag he had at the game was one that was given to him in the Philippines.

Grenier, a die-hard University of Maine hockey fan, said he would love to visit the Philippines some day.

“I’d like to see my [biological] parents but it would probably be hard for me,” said Grenier, who has other relatives there, also.

Despite his flag-waving and support, Makati City dropped a 14-1 decision to Bangor in a game called after four and a half innings due to the 10-run rule.

Canadians have lots of experience

The Whalley Little League players from Surrey, British Columbia have a wealth of World Series experience but it isn’t all Senior League World Series experience.

Eight of the 12 players participated in the Junior League World Series in Taylor, Mich. last summer, going 4-2 and finishing third.

Three other players were in Bangor for the Senior League World Series a year ago when they went 2-2 but lost a three-team tie-breaker which prevented them from advancing to the semifinals.

Pitcher Chris Fischer, left fielder Brandon Bufton and catcher Nicolas Buse, who played on that Junior League World Series team a year ago, said they asked friends and teammates what to expect in Bangor and it has lived up to expectations so far.

“They said it was a great tournament and they were right. The food has been good. The hotel’s awesome,” said Fischer. “They told us what the town was like and what the field was like and there’s also the Internet so we can see it from there.”

“It’s been great. It’s been much better than Taylor,” said Buse. “I’ve enjoyed it very much.”

Bufton said they have had lobster the last two nights and they haven’t been disappointed.

“[Lobster] is really good down here,” said Bufton. “Everything has been great.”

Whalley, which was also went 2-2 in the 2004 SLWS in Bangor, opened the tournament with a 7-2 win over District Three champ Bangor on Sunday.

The Chiefs will play Oahu, Hawaii tonight at 8.