Two Lihu‘e Baseball League Pinto All-star teams will be representing Kaua‘i in back-to-back tournaments on O‘ahu starting this weekend. The teams took time out to thank their benefactors who stepped forward to provide equipment and uniforms for the squads before
Two Lihu‘e Baseball League Pinto All-star teams will be representing Kaua‘i in back-to-back tournaments on O‘ahu starting this weekend.
The teams took time out to thank their benefactors who stepped forward to provide equipment and uniforms for the squads before the first team leaves for the Mililani Goodwill Tournament, June 9 through 11.
The LBL teams will follow this tournament by participating in the 2007 Hawai‘i State Pinto Tournament, June 22 through 26 at the Central O‘ahu Regional Park.
Heading the sponsors, King Auto Center, Kukui‘ula Development Co., and the families of Philip and Kim Banquel and Scott and Francine Nakata provided contributions that will see the players equipped with equipment bags, new helmets and jackets for the tournaments.
Some of the team players have family members who work for King Auto Center who came to present a check for $800 that will equip the team with equipment bags for their tournament bid, said Carol Furtado, who accompanied Charlie King to the practice field.
Gini Kapali, community relations officer for Kukui‘ula Development Co., was joined by other members of the firm who had relatives who are part of the LBL program to support their tournament bids.
“For most of the team, this will be a once in a lifetime event where the players will gain valuable baseball experience,” said Donna Leanio, business manager for the LBL.
Team roster for the “A” team includes Keli‘i Alcos, Kobey Dias, Patrick Esteban, Blaise Gokan, Chase Ibia, Keala Iwasaki, Kaylin Kawamura, Kristin Kawamura, Kekai Leanio-Balagat, Douglas Miyasato, Sam Nakata, Troy Tanigawa and Gunner Vallatini.
Danny Miyasato is the coach for the “A” Team with Timmy Ibia, Kevin Gokan and Stacy Iwasaki as assistant coaches.
The “B” team roster includes Ryker Amimoto, Blaise Banquel, Justice Camarillo, John-Lloyd Corbillon, Brenden Costa-Perreira, Michael Dressler, Tayedyn Francisco, Jace Ilae, Austin Maghanoy, Kapena Texeira, Chase Tokita and Kobe Viloria.
Rory Ellamar is the head coach with Philip Banquel, Stan Yoshimori, Kyle Oshima and Lane Tokita as assistant coaches. Alton Amimoto is the team scorekeeper.
Leanio said in addition to the headline sponsors, there are numerous other community businesses, parents and friends who make this undertaking possible.
