The public is invited to enjoy the seventh Da Bash baseball tournament which opens Friday and continues through Monday at various sites surrounding the Lihu‘e County Park located adjacent to the parking lot at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
The public is invited to enjoy the seventh Da Bash baseball tournament which opens Friday and continues through Monday at various sites surrounding the Lihu‘e County Park located adjacent to the parking lot at the Kaua‘i War Memorial Convention Hall.
“Da Bash is in its seventh year, and only getting better with each passing year,” said Maile Cox in an email. “This year’s theme is ‘Believe…Achieve’ which was the winning slogan by Lihu‘e Baseball League Bronco division player Blaise Gokan.”
Hosted by the LBL, 16 Mustang and 16 Bronco division teams are expected to participate in the tournament, Cox said.
Of the field, LBL will be fielding six Mustang and three Bronco division teams leaving 23 teams representing the islands of Maui, O‘ahu and the Big Island.
Cox said this year, for the first time in the history of Da Bash, LBL will be hosting night games at both the Isenberg Park and the Peter Rayno Sr. Park in Hanama‘u on Friday and Saturday nights.
LBL will host the annual Lu‘au Night, Sunday where prizes are distributed. Cox said this year’s entertainment will feature a special surprise guest.
“The kids will definitely enjoy the prizes,” Cox said. “Hint: one prize has the number 360 in its name and another begins with the letter ‘i’ and has touch screens, just to name a few.”
Cox said another new feature of the 2011 Da Bash will be Da Bash Store set up within the main tent area at the Lihu‘e County Park through the help of Deja Vu and the Miura family.
Joining the lineup of apparel will be the annual Da Bash logowear featuring t-shirts in an array of colors, baseball caps in both adult and youth sizes and styles, windbreaker jackets, hoodie sweatshirts, dri fit shirts, umbrellas, folder tripod chairs and eye black stickers and tattoos with different designs.
“It’s a definite must-see,” Cox said. “But come early to be sure of sizes, colors, and items.”
Action starts Friday morning from 8 a.m. and continues through the Memorial Day weekend in Lihu‘e at the Lihu‘e County Park, Isenberg Field and the Peter Rayno Sr. Park in Hanama‘ulu, a new site for this year’s event.
Cory Gokan and Ryan Koga of the LBL are co-chairs for Da Bash and Cox said the committee is appreciative of all the members who have devoted their time to make sure Da Bash is a successful event.
Cox said it is the support of the community and generous sponsors that allow this event to grow each year. Some of the contributors to this year’s event include The County of Kaua‘i, Service Rentals, Ibaan Table Rentals, Deja Vu, Smiley’s Restaurant, Island Image, Pau Hana T’s as well as all of the hotels across the island, the car rental companies, airlines, umpires and the numerous players and their families.
Nani Sadora is the president for the LBL, and committee members include Taddy Penzetta, Brandee Abreau, Cox and Craig Koga.
There is no admission to view the games, but LBL members encourage the support of the food booth located at the Lihu‘e County Park and this year, Da Bash Store.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@kauaipubco.com.
