Dallas Correa and Taran Tani, both collegiate players, were guest speakers during the opening ceremonies for the Lihu‘e Baseball League Pinto Division, Jan. 5 at the Lihu‘e County Park. “This season’s opening was focused on the importance of education, and
Dallas Correa and Taran Tani, both collegiate players, were guest speakers during the opening ceremonies for the Lihu‘e Baseball League Pinto Division, Jan. 5 at the Lihu‘e County Park.
“This season’s opening was focused on the importance of education, and should these young players decide they love baseball enough to take it to a collegiate level, and beyond, they need to realize that they are Student Athletes, and not Athlete Students,” said Nani Sadora, LBL president, in an email. “This point was stated by both our guest speakers.”
Correa, a catcher with the Pacific University Tigers, and Tani, playing for Saddleback, told the young student athletes to not let any obstacles get in their way, or let negative things people say affect their decision.
“Take the initiative to learn everything you can,” the two Kaua‘i natives said. “Play hard, with determination, and never give up. Always remember, family first, school, then baseball.”
A parting message to the boys was, although you are competitive, do it with true sportsmanship and learn to always be humble to your teammates and opponents.
“A good amount of these players attended the Collegiate Showcase and Clinic hosted by Kirk Correa at the Hanapepe Stadium,” Sadora said. “Both of the guest speakers participated as hosts during the clinic and our LBL players all recognized them with true appreciation. We at the LBL are thankful that they were still on-island and available to share their time and, as they said, ‘the opportunity to give back to their community.’”
The LBL Pinto Division, for players ages 7 through 9, is supported by eight teams: the Royals, Reds, Rays, Nationals, Red Sox, Cardinals, Giants and Blue Jays.
Visit www.eteamz.com/lihuebaseballleague/ for a complete listing of Lihu‘e Babeball League games.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 253) or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
