KALAHEO — Seventeen teams converged at the Kalawai Park for the 2013 Kaua‘i Pinto Baseball Tournament, which opened Saturday with 15 games. “This is so good,” said Lenny Rapozo, director of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation and a
KALAHEO — Seventeen teams converged at the Kalawai Park for the 2013 Kaua‘i Pinto Baseball Tournament, which opened Saturday with 15 games.
“This is so good,” said Lenny Rapozo, director of the county’s Department of Parks and Recreation and a coach with the Lihu‘e Giants. “I’m glad they brought this (Pinto) tournament back. They (Kalawai Baseball Association) used to hold it during the three-day weekend. Next year, we’re already talking with at least three teams from Mililani on O‘ahu who want to come.”
Pinto baseball involves players, ages 7, 8 and 9. The Kalawai and Lihu‘e baseball associations hosted opening ceremonies within the past several weeks.
Waimea High School baseball coach Michael Rita had his 2013 team players and coaching staff at the park, assisting with the tournament. “This is all Kevin Akita’s idea,” Rita said. “It’s all about the little guys and the fun they have playing baseball.”
Rita said he had the Waimea High School coaching staff and players volunteering their services as field officials for the many games taking place over three fields at the popular Kalawai Park.
Dale Keep of the Kalawai Baseball Association, host of the tournament, said games will be played on Saturday, 13 games on Sunday and the final nine games unfolded Monday morning at 8:30 a.m. Games are played until about 4 p.m.
Punctuating the games, home run derbies brought all of the teams together, cheering their teammates who competed to see how many they could hit “out of the park.”
Sunday, Chet Pimsaguan of the Kalawai Tornadoes taking top honors in the ages 7 and 8 division and Ricky Ballesteros of the Lihu‘e Red Sox getting the runner-up berth. A home run derby for the 9-year-olds took place Monday. “Anytime you can get all the kids together like this is good,” said Larry Ephan, former Texas Ranger catcher and a coach with the Waimea High School softball team. “I’m really glad they brought this tournament back.”
Participating teams include the Lihu‘e Rays, Lihu‘e Royals, Lihu‘e Red Sox, Lihu‘e Giants, Lihu‘e Cardinals, Lihu‘e Reds, Lihu‘e Nationals, Lihu‘e Blue Jays, Hanapepe Cubs, Koloa A, Koloa B, Koloa C, Kalawai Killer Bees, Kalawai Pink Skins, Kalawai Yankees, Kalawai Tornadoes and Kalawai Blue Jays.
