Boys of summer will compete to represent Hawai'i

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

For kids playing baseball at neighborhood parks around Hawai'i right now, places like Bangor, Maine, and Clifton Park, N.Y., might seem very distant.

But as several local teams proved last summer, destinations like those — and the World Series championships that are fought for there — are well within reach.

Three Hawai'i teams took the ultimate journey last summer and came home with world titles. Maui's Bronco (ages 11-12) All-Stars won the Western Zone championship in Whittier, Calif., and went on to defeat Seoul, South Korea in the World Series title game in Monterey, Calif.

'Aiea's Junior League (age 13) All-Stars won their second straight World Series championship at Taylor, Mich., after capturing a Western Regional crown at Salem, Ore.

And the O'ahu Canefires won the Babe Ruth (ages 13-15) World Series title at Hamilton, N.J., after taking the Regional championship at El Segundo, Calif.

But before packing their bags for the Mainland, most teams first must make it through the various state tournaments that now are either in full swing or fast approaching.

The biggest growth in youth baseball here continues to be seen in the Babe Ruth leagues, which now feature 130 teams in seven age group divisions on two islands (O'ahu and Maui). Babe Ruth Baseball was revived in Hawai'i in 1999 after a nine-year hiatus.

In its first year back, Babe Ruth had eight teams participating. Since then, it has seen exponential growth, including a merger with Manoa's youth leagues.

"We see it as giving kids more opportunity to play," said Hervy Kurisu, Hawai'i's Babe Ruth commissioner.

Babe Ruth is operated by the Hawai'i Winter Baseball Foundation.

Tournament schedule

PONY

• Pinto (7-8) — No state tournament. There are no Mainland tournaments for this age group.

• Mustang (9-10) — State tournament continues through tomorrow (if necessary) at Central O'ahu Regional Park. Winner advances to West Zone tournament Aug. 2-6 at Chino Hills, Calif. West Zone winner advances to World Series Aug. 8-13 at Irving, Texas.

• Bronco (11-12) — State tournament continues through tomorrow (if necessary) at Central O'ahu Regional Park. Winner advances to West Zone tournament Aug. 1-5 at Whittier, Calif. West Zone winner advances to World Series Aug. 7-14 at Monterey, Calif.

• Pony (13-14) — State tournament July 19-23 at Pilila'au Community Park, Wai'anae. Winner advances to West Zone tournament Aug. 9-13 at Fullerton, Calif. West Zone winner advances to World Series Aug. 17-24 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 League

• (9-10) — Halawa won state tournament. There are no Mainland tournaments for this age group.

• Majors (11-12) — State tournament July 22-27 at Kaunakakai, Moloka'i. Winner advances to Regional tournament Aug. 2-13 at San Bernardino, Calif. Regional winner advances to Little League World Series Aug. 16-25 at Williamsport, Pa.

• Juniors (13) — State tournament July 12-16 at Barbers Point. Winner advances to Division I tournament July 26-30 at Ala Wai Park. Division winner advances to Regional tournament Aug. 3-9 at La Mirada, Calif. Regional winner advances to Junior World Series Aug. 12-17 at Taylor, Mich.

• Seniors (13-15) — State tournament July 12-17 at Kailua High School. Winner advances to Division I tournament July 27-31 at Missoula, Mont. Division winner advances to Regional tournament Aug. 3-9 at San Jose, Calif. Regional winner advances to Senior World Series Aug. 11-17 at Bangor, Maine.

• Big Leagues (16-18) — State tournament July 12-14 at Wong Stadium, Hilo. Winner advances to Regional tournament July 24-Aug. 1 at Scottsdale, Ariz. Regional winner advances to Big League World Series Aug. 3-10 at Easley, S.C.

Babe Ruth, Hawai'i

O'ahu Cal Ripken

• (9-10) — Champion advances to Regional tournament July 17-24 at Globe, Ariz. Regional winner advances to World Series Aug. 3-10 at Bakersfield, Calif.

• (11-12) — Winner advances to Regional tournament Aug. 9-10 at Guam. Regional winner advances to World Series Aug. 17-25 at Matoon, Ill.

Babe Ruth

• (13) — All-Star team advances to Regional tournament July 25-31 at Napa, Calif. Regional winner advances to World Series Aug. 10-17 at Abbeville, La.

• (14) — All-Star team advances to Regional tournament Aug. 3-8 at Fallon, Nev. Regional winner advances to World Series Aug. 17-24 at Clifton Park, N.Y.

• (13-15) — All-Star team advances to Regional tournament July 27-Aug. 3 at Fresno, Calif. Regional winner advances to World Series Aug. 17-24 at Connersville, Ind.

• (16) — All-Star team advances to Regional tournament July 25-31 at Arcadia, Calif. Regional winner advances to World Series Aug. 9-17 at Russellville, Ark.

• (16-18) — All-Star team advances to Regional tournament July 26-31 at Galt, Calif. Regional winner advances to World Series Aug. 11-17 at Stamford, Conn.

American Legion

• (18-and-under) — State tournament Aug. 3-7 at Hans L'Orange Park, Waipahu. Winner advances to Region 8 tournament Aug. 15-19 at Las Vegas. Region 8 winner advances to American Legion World Series Aug. 23-27 at Danville, Va.