HANAPEPE — Despite a short squall that emptied the bleachers and sent spectators scurrying for the shelter of the press box at the Bronco field at Hanapepe Stadium, Carlsbad, California parents, coaches, and players had a nice morning celebrating the
HANAPEPE — Despite a short squall that emptied the bleachers and sent spectators scurrying for the shelter of the press box at the Bronco field at Hanapepe Stadium, Carlsbad, California parents, coaches, and players had a nice morning celebrating the opening of the 2004 Kaua‘i-Carlsbad Goodwill Games.
Al Cabacungan, who spearheads the annual event that features competition in primarily baseball at the Mustang, Bronco, and Pony levels, and girls softball, was on hand with his ‘ohana as they cheered on the competitors despite the rain that did not delay the game.
Cabacungan headed up a contingent of about 200 people including players, and their support staff that, according to Rosie Bukoski, has booked an entire wing at the Sheraton Kaua‘i for the week’s duration of the goodwill competition.
Starting with a luau held Sunday night at the Annie Knudsen Park in Koloa, the festivities will end Friday with a “lunch and dinner” affair where the Carlsbad group and the Kaua‘i groups will exchange the goodwill of a week’s competition.
“This is good,” one of the Kaua‘i base coaches commented. “We didn’t even have time to practice together, but it doesn’t matter who wins or loses — it’s just good ball!”
Carlsbad Bronco pitcher Justin Barr was in his glory on the mound, a coach from the dugout commenting, “It’s his birthday, today!”
Hanapepe Stadium has been configured to play four games at the same time for the goodwill series.
Besides the players on the field, Kaua‘i had an opportunity to showcase one of its baseball treasures as Kura Hirokawa, 81 years young, had the honor of umpiring the Bronco competition, the veteran of many games taking time and effort to pull one of his “tricks” on the Carlsbad catcher who was fidgeting with the ball muddied by the passing shower.
Cabacungan said Kaua‘i will make the trip to California in 2005, and in the near future, he is trying to organize a softball (girls) camp featuring some of the Olympic players.
“This is a really great place to have these types of events,” Cabacungan said, especially pleased with the success of the Kaua‘i Fantasy Softball Tournament that wrapped up over the weekend.
He said that having two teams (from the weekend’s tournament) who are currently competing for national titles is a testament to the caliber of games and teams that want to come to Kaua‘i.
