By Rod Ohira
Advertiser Staff Writer
Aside from the new wire braces running across the top row of her teeth, ‘Iolani School senior Amy Taniguchi looks the same as she did before being hit in the mouth by a golf ball 13 days ago during a state softball tournament game at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium.
 |
| Sharing a laugh at 'Iolani School are friends and senior classmates, from left, Amy Taniguchi, Terri Sasaki and Alicia Higa. Taniguchi is holding a stuffed animal she received from her boyfriend.
Bruce Asato • The Honolulu Advertiser |
"I’m doing OK," the 17-year-old Taniguchi said. "I never saw the golf ball, even after it hit me."
Taniguchi was standing on the steps of the first-base dugout at the University of Hawai‘i campus stadium when she was hit on the left side of her face by a golf ball from right-center field. The ball came from the rear of Johnson Hall dorm at 2555 Dole St., which overlooks the stadium, and traveled between 200 and 220 yards to reach Taniguchi, police said.
Police Detective Rodney Noguchi, who is investigating the case, called the injury senseless.
"A lot of times in cases like these things happen because people do crazy things without thinking," Noguchi said. "Unfortunately, an innocent girl got injured because someone’s lack of good judgment. It was senseless."
A 19-year-old University of Hawai‘i student from Minnesota surrendered to police the day after the incident and was booked for investigation of second-degree assault. He was later released pending further investigation after giving a statement to police.
"It shouldn’t have happened but since it did, the good thing is that Amy got hit in the mouth," said former ‘Iolani School varsity baseball coach Herb Yoshimura, the girl’s stepfather. "Two inches above or below could have been fatal or she could have lost an eye. We’re very fortunate it wasn’t worse.
"We don’t feel any animosity but it’s mind-boggling that someone would be hitting golf balls while a game is going on just to create attention," said Yoshimura.
The impact of the ball knocked out a bottom tooth and loosened several of Taniguchi’s upper front teeth.
"I felt something hit me but I thought it was a softball," Taniguchi said. "It wasn’t sore.
"When I ran my tongue on my lips, I could feel a tooth missing and my teeth on the top were bent in. That’s when I heard (pitching coach Roger Javillo) say, ‘What was that?’ He was the one that told me I was hit with a golf ball."
Taniguchi, however, was more concerned about the game than her injury at that point.
Wanted one more shot
Two-time defending state champion ‘Iolani and eventual champion Baldwin High of Maui were scoreless in the top of the seventh — and last regulation inning — and Taniguchi was the third scheduled batter. She had reached base twice against Baldwin pitching ace Shannon Tabion and wanted one more shot to hit.
"I just wanted to play, to go out and hit again," Taniguchi said. "Maybe I got hit so hard (by the golf ball) and it was numb already but I didn’t want to come out of the game."
‘Iolani head coach Chris Shimabukuro was on the field and was unaware Taniguchi was hurt until she did not come out to bat.
"Blood was dripping on my uniform and they sat me down at the end of the bench and gave me gauze for my mouth," Taniguchi said.
It was at that point that Yoshimura, seated in the grandstand with his wife, Elsie, received a call on his cell phone from ‘Iolani trainer Jared Nihi advising him that their daughter was hurt.
"He said Amy got hit with a golf ball and I said, ‘What?’ " Yoshimura said. "We took her to Queen’s (Medical Center) emergency."
Dr. Wendell Hoshino, Taniguchi’s orthodontist, came to the hospital to check her teeth.
"He told us all her teeth were crooked," said the girl’s mother, who noted that Taniguchi just had her braces removed last summer. "They pushed the teeth back out and wired the top. Then we found out last week that the bottom teeth had shifted too so they’re going to wire them, too."
Dental nightmare
The missing tooth, which was never found, has been replaced with a temporary tooth. Dr. Dennis Nagata will put in a permanent replacement in about three months when Taniguchi’s gums are stronger.
There’s a potential problem with the roots of Taniguchi’s other teeth, her parents said.
"Right now the roots are all alive but in two or three months, some could die," Elsie Yoshimura said. "If that happens, they’re going to have to do root canals and cap each affected tooth."
Taniguchi’s parents are grateful for the outpouring of support from the community.
One of her teachers, Fern Ige, has been preparing tofu dishes, soft patties and sukiyaki for Taniguchi to eat because she cannot bite into anything, Elsie Yoshimura said.
"I know Amy feels the love and support around her," she added. "I think it’s helped her to keep on track."
Taniguchi returned to watch her team play its last game of the season the day after. She is now playing basketball.
"I have no ill feelings," said Taniguchi, who plans to attend the University of Hawai‘i in the fall and try out for the softball team. "I only wish it had hit me in the helmet or something so I could have stayed in the game."
[back to top] |
