KAPA‘A — Fig Mitchell is hoping the bats come alive this weekend. “You see how many Mariners there are on the team?” Mitchell said. “Normally, they can hit the ball, but in the finals, I don’t know what happened.” One
KAPA‘A — Fig Mitchell is hoping the bats come alive this weekend.
“You see how many Mariners there are on the team?” Mitchell said. “Normally, they can hit the ball, but in the finals, I don’t know what happened.”
One of the team moms on hand for practice Monday said Kalia Kaui, the only girl on the roster, can swing a pretty hefty bat, and Kaden Palenapa-Likelio always sends the ball over the fence.
Mitchell said the Kawaihau Majors All-stars start the first step towards what can end up as World Series champions when they open play at the Little League District 1 tournament this weekend on O‘ahu.
The Kawaihau Majors All-stars have the opportunity to advance to as far as winning the Little League World Series Championship.
Earlier this month, the Kawaihau Community Little League sponsored two teams to the District 1 tournament, but those age-group players could advance to just winning the state title.
The Majors have an opportunity to advance beyond the state title to eventually reach the World Series.
Teams from Hawai‘i have participated in the Little League Baseball World Series nine times, and reached the World Series championship game three times, states the Little League Web site.
In 1988, Tai Ping Little League of Chinese Taipei defeated Pearl City, 10-0, and in 2005, the West O‘ahu Little League from Ewa Beach won the World Series Championship by defeating Curacao’s Pabao Little League, 7-6, in seven innings.
The Waipio Little League hit Matamoros Little League, a team deep with pitching, all over the park en route to a 12-3 win in the spring of 2009 for Hawai‘i’s second Little League World Series title in four years.
“We leave Thursday and play our first game Friday afternoon against Kahalu‘u,” Mitchell said. “That game is at 4 p.m. and depending on what happens there, we play Saturday either at 1 p.m., or 4 p.m.”
In addition to the five Mariners, there are three Yankees, two Marlins and another two Astro players on the all-star roster.
Karl Kimura and Chad Rausch head up the coaching staff with Mitchell and others adding their volunteerism.
Team players include Bradley Villanueva, Mitchell Alves, D.J. Lacaden, Chaz Pacleb, Tyler Barton, Thomas Stern, Keola Lutz, Denmark Aladin, Kaui, Palenapa-Likelio, Grant Mitchell and Matthew Cummings.
“The loser of the Friday game plays at 1 p.m., Saturday, the winner plays at 4 p.m.,” Mitchell said. “We’re playing at 4 p.m.”
