WK hosts tourney for second year by Dennis Fujimoto – THE GARDEN ISLAND There have been at least two scrimmages between the Lihu‘e and West Kaua‘i Bronco All Star teams, said Wes Masumura, the Lihu‘e Bronco All Star coach. But
WK hosts tourney for second year
by Dennis Fujimoto – THE GARDEN ISLAND
There have been at least two scrimmages between the Lihu‘e and West Kaua‘i Bronco All Star teams, said Wes Masumura, the Lihu‘e Bronco All Star coach.
But today, everything becomes real as the West Kaua‘i Youth Baseball League hosts the 2008 Bronco Region State Tournament at Hanapepe Stadium.
“Our athletes have been working hard to get to this tournament and are really excited to take the field (today),” said Andrew Lazaro Jr., coach of the West Kaua‘i Bronco All Star team.
First games in the tournament start at 9 a.m. with an opening ceremony scheduled for noon.
Kaua‘i Mayor Bryan Baptiste, a long-time and avid supporter of youth sports, will be remembered with a moment of silence.
The tournament continues through July 7 with July 8 reserved for a play-off game if needed.
Kaua‘i will be represented by two teams: a West Kaua‘i Bronco all-tournament team and the Lihu‘e Baseball League Bronco All Stars which earned its way into the tournament by besting a West Kaua‘i Bronco All Star team during the Kaua‘i Bronco Section earlier.
Other teams include two teams from Mililani A and B, Windward, ‘Aiea, Maui and the Big Island.
The state champion will advance to the Pony Baseball Zone Tournament scheduled for July 31 through Aug. 3 in Valencia, Calif.
“We are honored to be hosting this state-wide tournament for the second consecutive year and appreciate the great support from our West Kaua‘i community and volunteers,” said Paul Pancho, the tournament chair and president of the WKYBL.
An estimated 200 players, coaches, staff and supporters will be on Kaua‘i for this event.
Tournament secretary Brenda Jose said that by coming to Kaua‘i for the tournament, the Neighbor
Island visitors get the chance to check out local spots.
“Outer Island folks enjoy going to local establishments like Hamura Saimin, Tip Top Cafe, Da Imu Hut, Kaua‘i Kookies and Jojo’s Anuenue just to name a few,” Jose said. “At last year’s tournament, I think almost every team took their kids to Brick Oven Pizza at least once, and maybe even twice, before leaving the island.”
