LIHU‘E — In the shadow of the excitement surrounding the opening of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation baseball season, the Lihu‘e Baseball League quietly celebrated its league opening for the 2013 Mustang and Bronco season at the Lihu‘e County Park. Mayor
LIHU‘E — In the shadow of the excitement surrounding the opening of the Kaua‘i Interscholastic Federation baseball season, the Lihu‘e Baseball League quietly celebrated its league opening for the 2013 Mustang and Bronco season at the Lihu‘e County Park.
Mayor Bernard Carvalho Jr. was joined by Major League Baseball standout Frank Sullivan, a longtime resident of Kaua‘i, who was accompanied by his wife Marilyn and son Mike.
Carvalho, in addition to rendering the national and state anthems with the aid of Bronco team players from the A’s and Angels, spoke along the lines of the LBL theme of student athletes and where education and baseball, or any sport, can take an individual.
Carvalho, a former collegiate and National Football League athlete, could nail home the importance of education while enjoying sports.
Sullivan, an MLB Player and pitcher for the Boston Red Sox from 1953 to 1961, also has experience with the Philadelphia Phillies and Minnesota Twins.
He was selected an All Star in 1955 and 1956 for the American League and has shared the field with teammates such as Ted Williams, pitching against some of the greatest baseball stars, including Mickey Mantle and Willie Mays.
Following 53 years, Sullivan is still ranked No. 9 in the Boston Red Sox statistics for complete games pitched, and in 2008, Sullivan was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame, his plaque being displayed at Fenway Park in Boston.
Sullivan also wrote “Life is More the 9 Innings,” a saga of his life and baseball, taking some lessons from those pages as he walked Bronco Angels catcher Skyler Sadora to the mound for the first pitch.
“You ready for this one, son?” Sullian asked during the walk before cheering LBL teams and their supporters, which overflowed the grand stand.
Nani Sadora, president of the LBL, said the league was honored and amazed to be in the presence of Sullivan and his family as well as the mayor.
“I’m sure Skyler will treasure for many years to come, that walk to the infield,” Nani said in an email. “Those memories will also be shared by all of whom were in attendance at the opening ceremonies.”
Following the opening, players were offered the opportunity to take photos with Sullivan and talk about the game they love — baseball.
“We, as a league, will continue to look for ways to provide life lessons for these kids while doing something they love,” Sadora said.
The LBL 2013 Mustang division fields the Phillies, Angels, Reds and Orioles while the 2013 Bronco division field includes the Angels, Athletics and Dodgers.
Visit www.etamz.com/lihuebaseballleague/ for complete Mustang and Bronco game schedules as well as more information on the LBL, which also hosts Da Bash Baseball tournament during Memorial Day weekend.
• Dennis Fujimoto, photographer and staff writer, can be reached at 245-0453 or dfujimoto@ thegardenisland.com.
