KAPAA – The Warriors picked up their sixth KIF baseball title in Kapa’a school history with Saturdays dramatic 7-5 come-from-behind victory over the Waimea Menehunes at Ron Martin Field. Skipper Shannon Masada has been an integral part of three of
KAPAA – The Warriors picked up their sixth KIF baseball title in Kapa’a school history with Saturdays dramatic 7-5 come-from-behind victory over the Waimea Menehunes at Ron Martin Field.
Skipper Shannon Masada has been an integral part of three of those titles both as a player (1988) and as the head coach (2000, 2002). He preferred to shy away from individual attention throughout the season and instead deflected the focus on the importance of a strong team foundation. When asked for a post-game interview, the soft-spoken Masada would always beg off with a promise to speak at the conclusion of the regular season.
With the hard-earned 2002 league title freshly under his belt, that time has finally come and I spent some time at Monday’s practice speaking with the insightful Warrior head coach.
The premature loss of assistant coach Jay Gatiuan (#24) this past February continues to weigh heavily in Masada’s (well as the team’s) thoughts and his presence continues to be felt around the diamond.
As I approached the field, Coach Masada was quietly standing behind the batting cage with an observant eye on his hard working assistants Dennis Bonilla (outfielders), Henry “Hank” Ibia (hitting), and Gary Gatiuan (pitching) readying their young champions for their first taste of post season play.
Q You’ve been on KIF championship teams in the capacity of both player and coach. Which did you enjoy more?
Masada – I cant say which one I enjoyed most, they were all very special to me. This one though, might be the one that tops the list because its the first one that Jay is not here to celebrate with me as a teammate or as part of the coaching staff.
Q The 2002 championship seemed to be a very emotional one for you personally. Can you explain what this one meant to you?
Masada – It’s hard to describe the feelings that I have right now. For me, it was the only way to honor Jay as a teammate, as an assistant coach, and most of all, as a friend who was always there for me. It was for Coach Gary, who somehow found the strength to continue the season even after losing his brother. It was for Coach Ibia, who has helped me so much as my coach and as my assistant, and who somehow makes time in his busy schedule to be with our team. It was for Coach Bonilla, who also has always been there for me doing whatever is asked of him. It was for these kids, who endured and persevered through so much, never quitting; instead working harder and harder every time an obstacle was thrown in our way. It was for our supporters who remained behind us whenever we needed them the most. It was for Jay’s parents (Jose and Josie), family, and girlfriend, who had the strength to move forward and most of all this one is for my family, friends, and girlfriend, who have all helped me get through the roughest season in my 23 years of being involved with baseball.
Q You and your coaching staff go back a long ways. Could you elaborate on that relationship?
Masada – Its really hard to believe but at sometime or another each of my assistants was once my coach. They have all taught me so much and we’ve always remained friends. The respect that I have for them right now, as assistant coaches, is so much greater than when I was a player because of the support and respect that they have now returned to me. Even though I am the youngest of us all, they never use it against me. We always discuss certain situations together but whatever final decision I make, they stand firmly behind me unconditionally. Our ability to communicate with each other is unbelievable!
Q How does this years squad compare to your title team of 2000 which gave the competition quite a scare on Maui?
Masada – The 2000 team had a lot more talent than this years squad. They were winners all their lives and just knew how to win. We had to teach this year’s team what it takes to be a winner. It took a while but they finally realized that when you work hard and stay together as a “team”, good things happen.
Q Your current team has battled back from adversity all season long. What was the secret of their success?
Masada I really believe that the adversity that we endured is what won us the championship. Whenever it seemed that we were on the right track moving forward, it always seemed that something else would come up and knock us on our butts. But these kids never stayed down- they always got back up and never quit. They continued to work harder and become closer as a team. Their determination and will to win is incredible! No matter what challenges we were faced with or what the score was, we ALWAYS believed that we could come back!
Q The parents and fans of Warrior baseball have faithfully shown their backing for this team, especially in Saturdays title game. How important was their support toward meeting your seasons goals?
Masada – Like I said, no matter how bad things got, our parents were always there for us. Their support and enthusiasm played a key part in our season. On Saturday they definitely made the difference.we really fed off the energy that they brought to the game. Hopefully, some of them can make it to Oahu for Wednesdays game.
Q You now take on the Waianae Seariders (a team Masada first saw as the Warriors tournament-opening opponent at Aloha Stadium as a player in 1988). Will you approach this tourney any differently than your last visit on Maui in 2000?
Masada – We will approach this game the same way as we did in 2000 and the same way we did this entire season- no fear, nothing to lose, just another bump in the road.
Masada – Thanks! We miss you #24!
Kapa’a is scheduled to meet the Oahu Interscholastic Association Western Division co-champion Waianae Seariders today at 11:30 a.m. in the Wally Yonamine Foundation State Baseball Tournament at Les Murakami Stadium on Oahu with the winner to take on #1 seed Kamehameha in Thursday action.
The Seariders finished the OIA regular season with an 8-1 divisional record but lost to the eventual conference champion Kailua Surfriders in last Thursday’ s quarterfinal match-up. The opening contest is scheduled to be broadcast live on KQNG-AM 570 with Anahola Joel Pahukula doing the play-by-play.
NOTE: In 1988, the Warriors fell to the Seariders in a 4-0 rain-shortened (five inning) contest before storming back with a dramatic 5-4 consolation victory over the Maui High Sabers. Further consolation play that year was wiped out by bad weather.
