LIHU‘E – Nothing was on the line and everything was about having fun and getting together yesterday, before the playoff season gets underway for the Lihu‘e Baseball League. Not to mention, it was a rare chance for the players to
LIHU‘E – Nothing was on the line and everything was about having fun and getting together yesterday, before the playoff season gets underway for the Lihu‘e Baseball League.
Not to mention, it was a rare chance for the players to see their coaches take a hack or two at the ball and maybe learn something from the people that they look up to.
“This is all for the kids and that’s what we are here for,” Lihu‘e Baseball league official Warren Koga said.
With six innings of fun planned for the day and a grill that lured the hungriest of patrons, the atmosphere gleamed with little league pride.
The mustang and bronco divisions got equal time on the diamond, switching up after each inning.
In addition, Kaua‘i County councilman Mel Rapozo manned the public address announcing duties, which made for interesting and comical banter.
The score at the end of the contest really didn’t matter, but you could tell as each batter came up to face the mechanical pitching machine that it wasn’t just for fun, as the kids came out to play with the same intensity, just like any other regular season or playoff game.
“They(players) really love this and it’s good to see their parents here and enjoying this as well, for they have sacrificed a lot too,” Koga said.
After the game, all-star teams were announced for each division as the second season comes up when the best of the east meets the cream of the crop for the west for the island’s bragging rights.
Also handed out were division championship trophies and other awards.
The Lihu‘e Baseball League is trying to break through and end a streak by the West Kaua‘i Youth Baseball League, who has never lost to the its foes from the eastside. Look for the all-star lineups in an upcoming edition of The Garden Island.
