LIHUE — Bradley Chiba, head field official for the Lihue Baseball League Bash for Mustangs and Broncos baseball, said the rain was a headache for the traditional baseball tournament at the Lihue County Park. “I’m trying to cook fish for
LIHUE — Bradley Chiba, head field official for the Lihue Baseball League Bash for Mustangs and Broncos baseball, said the rain was a headache for the traditional baseball tournament at the Lihue County Park.
“I’m trying to cook fish for the Oahu coaches,” Chiba said Saturday while dodging rain squalls and fielding concerns about rain-delayed games. “I’m not frying. I’m steaming the fish, so that makes it easier.”
On the field in Mustang play, the Lihue Yankees were waging war against the Waikahala Blue Jays of Oahu.
Trailing 11-8 late in the game, the Yankees struggled with falling rain and muddy fields until Kaimana Kaui smacked an in-the-park grand slam to push the Yankees ahead, 12-11.
But the game was not over, as concerns over the rain pushed the Yankees into the mist to face the Blue Jays’ bats.
With the bases loaded, Kyler Agan brought the game to an end after pushing two runs home for the 13-12 go-ahead, leaving the Yankees with a two-game split in pool play after taking a 13-3 win over Koloa Friday before the rains halted play.
Sixteen teams make up the Mustang pool, playing in four brackets, and nine Bronco teams playing in three brackets make up the 2017 edition of the LBL Bash.
The Lihue Yankees and Waikahala are joined by Koloa and the Waimanalo Warriors to make up the first bracket. The Lihue Cardinals, Kawainui Red, Kalawai and Rip City make up the second Mustang bracket.
Lihue D-Backs, Jus 1, Kryptonite and the Mililani Mariners make up bracket 3, and the Lihue Astros, Kawainui Blue, Oahu Angels and Kapaa round out the Mustang pool in bracket 4.
The Lihue Brewers, Koloa and the Mililani Nationals make up the first bracket in Bronco Bash. The Lihue D-Backs, Mililani Warriors and Lugnutz make up bracket 2. Kalawai, Kaneohe Cubs and the Mililani Cub make up bracket 3.
Pool play continued at the Lihue County Park through Sunday afternoon, with the first playoff games starting Sunday as well. The championship games for both Mustang and Bronco divisions are schedule to start at 1 p.m. today.
