Cardinal flies in San Diego

When the Kalawai Cardinals won the West Kaua‘i baseball Mustang championships Saturday, Dallas Correa was part of that effort.

But, that championship was only the start of a very busy weekend for the 10-year-old who was already looking ahead to the San Diego Padres’ Hit, Pitch & Run competition that was coming up Sunday.

“We were praying that the flights were on time,” Kurt Correa, Dallas’ dad said. “We had the game at 9 a.m., the flight left at 9 p.m. We arrived in San Diego at 7 a.m., and the competition started at 8 a.m.” That hectic jetset schedule didn’t seem to show on the budding athele who captured First Place in the 9-10 Division during a San Diego Padres’ game.

“It was tough,” the young Correa admitted modestly.

“There were other boys who had strong individual skills,” Kurt added. “But, Dallas was consistent throughout.” That consistency paid off with a plaque and an eligibility to be considered for the competition that will take place in Houston, Texas on July 13 during the all-star game.

The San Diego competition featured players from Nevada, San Diego, Mexico, and Hawai‘i, and the winners will be part of a 120-player field that will be whittled down to four based on the top four scores, Kurt explained. Those players will meet on the field during the Houston game on July 13.

Enroute to the San Diego competition, Dallas took the Kaua‘i competition before advancing to Maui for the state finals. Earl Thronas, a Kawaihau Minors all-star, was tough throughout that competition, Correa said.

But, for Dallas, July 13 is the farthest thing on his mind as he and dad Kurt get ready for the Kaua‘i Mustang Championships which will start on June 30 when the Lihu‘e all-stars travel to Hanapepe Stadium for a showdown against the West Kaua‘i all-stars. With his trophy secured wrapped in a tee-shirt and a San Diego cap on his head, Dallas was ready to leave the airport for the ballpark where he and dad Kurt had practice scheduled.