LIHU‘E — Pacific Tile faced Weekend Digital in the finals of the first kickball tournament benefiting the Kaua‘i United Way on Saturday.
“The last game was amazing,” said Tammy Puu, the tournament’s emcee. “The game stayed tied through the fourth inning at 2-2. Pacific Tile had three come in during the sixth, and Weekend Digital scored two. Pacific Tile finished it off by scoring one in the top seventh, and holding off the home team to win the tournament.”
Nine teams — International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, Gather Federal Credit Union, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Kuku‘iula, Airport Rescue, Kuhio Auto, Weekend Digital, Hawai‘i Government Employees Association, and Pacific Tile — took the field in the tournament sparked by the ideas of Taylor Shigemoto and Chris Nii, and firmed up by the new Kaua‘i United Way’s Special Events coordinator Melissa Ragasa.
Other contributing sponsors included Premier Restoration, Corteva Agriscience, Deja Vu Surf Hawai‘i, Kipu Ranch Adventures and Hawai‘i Foodbank Kaua‘i.
“We have the Kaua‘i High School Japanese Club selling food behind the sponsorship wall,” said Stacie Chiba-Miguel of the Kukui‘ula group that also lent the rodeo expertise of Puu as the tournament voice. “This is a lot of fun. There is even a Happy Hour place.”
In addition to Pacific Tile claiming the tournament title, other awards included Weekend Digital enjoying the runner-up award, Enterprise showing the most spirit, and the 70th anniversary commemorative garb earning the Gather FCU honors as best dressed.
Kaua‘i United Way officials suggested people keep their eyes peeled for the next kickball tournament because, based on the response at its first tournament, the registrations should go pretty fast.
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Dennis Fujimoto, staff writer and photographer, can be reached at 808-245-0453 or dfujimoto@thegardenisland.com.
