There will be one team from the mainland, but Kaua‘i will be taking care of them said Michael Koerte, one of the leaders for the Kaua‘i Junior Olympics Girls Softball program. “They’re from Carlsbad, Colo.,” Koerte said of the team
There will be one team from the mainland, but Kaua‘i will be taking care of them said Michael Koerte, one of the leaders for the Kaua‘i Junior Olympics Girls Softball program.
“They’re from Carlsbad, Colo.,” Koerte said of the team that will be visiting next week. “Actually, they’re a 16 and Under team, but we’re going to make a mini tournament of their visit.”
Softball action will move to the Waimea Canyon Park starting Wednesday and continuing through Saturday as Waimea, one of three teams in the 14 and Under program, hosts the North County Extremes from Colorado.
Wednesday night, Waimea will host Kapa‘a in a regular season contest starting at 6:30 p.m.
Thursday, June 22, Waimea 16 and Under team will play North County Extremes starting at 6:30 p.m.
Friday night means a double-header for softball fans as Waimea 14 and Under opens against the North County Extremes at 5 p.m., followed by Kapa‘a and Central at 7 p.m.
A triple treat is in store for fans on Saturday, June 24, when Central opens against the North Country Extremes at 10 a.m. Kapa‘a will take on the Colorado team at 12 noon, and the final game pits Waimea against Kapa‘a at 2 p.m.
“Even if it’s just one team, we’re going to take care of them,” Koerte said. “It’ll be like a mini tournament, and it gives our girls opportunities to play.”
Koerte said the visiting team is not a part of the Carlsbad contingent that has established a goodwill relationship with Kaua‘i counterparts.
Rather, Koerte said, this is a 16 and Under team that wanted to visit the island.
After talking with the team’s coach, Koerte said many of their girls will be enjoying their first trip to Hawai‘i on this visit.
“Our girls will be playing up a level, but we should still see some good games,” Koerte said.
The Kaua‘i Junior Olympics program is made up of three 14 and Under teams: Waimea, Central and Kapa‘a.
Games are played on Wednesday evenings at 6:30 p.m. and on Saturday mornings at 10 a.m.
In the game played Wednesday evening at Isenberg Field, Waimea 14 and Under soared over Central 29-7 in a contest shortened by the ten-run rule.
Currently, Kapa‘a, who will host Central on Saturday, holds the lead in the Junior Olympic 14 and Under league.
The girls, under the coaching of Rory Rayno, have a 3-0 record after downing Waimea 18-4 on the opening game and followed that with a 16-11 win over Central at Isenberg, then a 6-4 squeaker last weekend against Waimea.
“This goes to show that Kapa‘a can win,” Kris Borrero, one of the Central parents said following their 16-11 loss. “If these girls continue to keep their focus, they’ll move up to the Kapa‘a High School program.”
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
