Agbayani might not be here to witness birth of first child

Advertiser Staff and News Services

Benny Agbayani wants to return home to Hawai'i to witness the birth of his first child. However, the logistics of that trip could be difficult.

Agbayani, a left fielder for the New York Mets and a former standout at St. Louis School and Hawai'i Pacific University, is scheduled to be with the Mets when they play the New York Yankees on July 8. That's the day his wife, Niela, is due.

The three-day All-Star break begins on July 9.

Mets manager Bobby Valentine said the team is looking into setting up an Internet connection that would allow Agbayani to watch the delivery. If Agbayani went to Hawai'i, he would be on a plane for 10 hours each way.

"I don't know how all that's going to work," Valentine said. "Just the logistics of getting a phone call, a flight and being there sounds difficult. But, (he would be) going west."

Agbayani said he plans to go "if they'll let me."

Agbayani is batting .283 with four home runs and 17 RBIs. The Mets trail first-place Philadelphia by 9 1/2 games in the National League East.