Youths swing into tournament play

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Forget about the lazy days of summer. In these busy times, state youth baseball tournaments are in full swing and by the end of the month, several teams will be packing their bags for travel to Mainland tournaments.

Some may even represent Hawai'i in youth baseball nirvana — the world series.

This year, four new teams will be Mainland-bound thanks to Babe Ruth, Hawai'i.

The state's Babe Ruth affiliation, which first began in the 1950s, disbanded in 1990 after complaints from Mainland teams about player eligibility.

Whereas the Babe Ruth of the past included only 13- and 13-15- year-old divisions, the new Babe Ruth in Hawai'i includes five age divisions. The Cal Ripken Leagues, which fall under the Babe Ruth umbrella, made their debut here last year.

According to commissioner Hervy Kurisu, the program was revived in 1999 by the Hawai'i Winter Baseball Foundation after a request by Baltimore Orioles third baseman Cal Ripken Jr.

Hawai'i Winter Baseball had conducted a camp here that year with Ripken, who had become involved in the national Babe Ruth organization.

"It was hard to organize from nothing," Kurisu said. "It was hard to compete for fields, and we didn't really want to compete with (other leagues) for players. But to me, it just provides more opportunity for local kids to go to the Mainland and play."

As in the past, many of the Babe Ruth teams in the 13-15 division are affiliated with high school programs.

Tournament schedules

PONY Leagues

• Pinto (7-8 years old) — No state tournament this year. There are no tournaments on the Mainland for this age group.
• Mustang (9-10) — Hawai'i Region Tournament Friday through Monday at Lihu'e Park, Kaua'i. Winner advances to West Zone Tournament Aug. 2-6 at Chino Hills, Calif. Winner of this tournament advances to Mustang World Series Aug. 8-11 at Irving, Texas.
• Bronco (11-12) — Maui wins Hawai'i Region Tournament at Iron Maehara Stadium, Wailuku, and advances to West Zone Tournament Aug. 3-7 at Whittier, Calif. Winner advances to Bronco World Series Aug. 9-15 at Monterey, Calif.
• Pony (13-14) — Hawai'i Region Tournament July 20-24 at Mililani District Park. Winner advances to West Zone Tournament Aug. 11-15 at Fullerton, Calif. Winner advances to Pony World Series Aug. 18-25 at Washington, Pa.
• Colt (15-16) — No state tournament this year for this age group.
• Palomino (17-18) — No state tournament this year for this age group.

Little Leagues

• (9-10 years old) — Hilo wins state tournament; there are no Mainland regionals or world series for this age group.
• Major League (11-12) — State tournament July 20-25 at Walter Victor Stadium, Hilo. Winner will advance to the Western Regional Tournament Aug. 4-14 at San Bernardino, Calif. Winner advances to Little League World Series Aug. 17-26 at Williamsport, Pa.
• Junior League (13) — State tournament Friday through July 18 at Castle High School. Winner advances to Divisional Tournament July 28-Aug. 2 at Salem, Ore. Winner advances to World Series Aug. 13-18 at Taylor, Mich.
• Senior League (13-15) — State tournament tomorrow through Sunday at Ala Wai Field. Winner advances to Divisional tournament July 27-Aug. 1 at Vancouver, Wash. Winner advances to World Series Aug. 12-18 at Kissimmee, Fla.
• Big League (16-18) — State tournament Friday through Sunday at Iron Maehara Stadium, Wailuku. Winner advances to Regional tournament July 22-Aug. 2 at Scottsdale, Ariz. Winner advances to World Series Aug. 5-11 at Easley, S.C.

Babe Ruth, Hawai'i

O'ahu Cal Ripken Leagues

• 9-10 — Champion advances to Regional tournament July 19-25 at Bakersfield, Calif. Winner advances to World Series Aug. 3-9 at Vincennes, Ind.
• 11-12 — Champion will play Guam champion in South Pacific Regional series Aug. 11-12 at 'Aiea Annex Park. Winner advances to World Series Aug. 18-26 at Vincennes, Ind.
• O'ahu Babe Ruth League
• 13-15 — All-Star team advances to Regional tournament Aug. 1-8 at El Segundo, Calif. Winner advances to World Series Aug. 17-25 at Hamilton Township, N.J.

Maui Babe Ruth League

• 16 — All-Star team advances to Regional tournament July 29-Aug. 2 at Yuma, Ariz. Winner advances to World Series Aug. 11-18 at Gulfport, Miss.
• 16-18 — All-Star team advances to Regional tournament July 27-Aug. 1 at Reno, Nev. Winner advances to World Series Aug. 11-18 at Loudoun County, Va.

American Legion (18-and-under)

• State tournament Aug. 3-7 at Hans L'Orange Park. Winner advances to Region 8 tournament Aug. 16-20 at Ogden, Utah. Winner advances to World Series Aug. 24-28 at Yakima, Wash.

You can reach Wes Nakama at wnakama@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2456.