Hawai'i's young guns ready for World Series journey

By Wes Nakama
Advertiser Staff Writer

Last year's emerging stars were Travis Jones and Kurt Tanabe of the Waip'io Little Leagues.

Two years ago, teams from Maui (Broncos), 'Aiea (Juniors) and O'ahu Babe Ruth (ages 13-15) captured the attention and hearts of the state en route to winning regional championships on the Mainland and winning their respective World Series titles.

Who will it be this summer?

That remains to be seen, but the story lines will begin to take shape soon as state tournaments have either been completed or will be conducted over the two weeks.

Winners will then travel to regional or zone tournaments on the Mainland, with the fortunate ones advancing to the World Series.

One team — the Mililani 'A' Bronco All-Stars of PONY baseball, has secured a World Series berth after winning the state championship on Tuesday.

Mililani will advance directly to the Bronco World Series Aug. 7-12 at Monterey, Calif. after being awarded the Asia-Pacific Zone's berth stemming from problems related to the SARS outbreak in Asia.

For others, earning a World Series berth may involve going through one or two more tournaments on the Mainland and a stay of up to three weeks or more.

But as we saw with Waipi'o's magical run to South Williamsport, Pa., last year, the journey is half the fun, right?

Here are the tournament schedules:

LITTLE LEAGUES

• Little League (9-10 year-olds) — Makakilo won the state tournament on July 3. There are no Mainland tournaments for this age group.
• Majors (11-12) — State tournament will be held July 18-23 at 'Aiea Annex Park. Champion will advance to Western Regional tournament Aug. 1-12 at San Bernardino, Calif. Regional winner advances to Little League World Series set for Aug. 15-24 at South Williamsport, Pa.
• Juniors (13-14) — State tournament begins tomorrow and runs through Wednesday at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu. Champion advances to Division tournament July 26-31 at Vancouver, Wash. Division winner advances to Western Regional tournament Aug. 2-7 at Union City, Calif. Regional champion advances to Junior League World Series set for Aug. 10-16 at Taylor, Mich.
• Seniors (14-16) — State tournament begins tomorrow and runs through Tuesday at Walter Victor Stadium in Hilo. Champion advances to Division tournament starting July 25 in Tigard, Ore. Division winner advances to Western Regional tournament Aug. 2-7 at Lemoore, Calif. Regional champion advances to Senior League World Series set for Aug. 10-16 at Bangor, Maine.
• Big Leagues (16-18) — State tournament begins tomorrow and runs through Sunday at Iron Maehara Stadium in Wailuku. Champion advances to Western Regional tournament July 26-30 at Billings, Mont. Regional winner advances to Big League World Series set for Aug. 2-9 at Easley, S.C.

PONY

• Pinto (7-8) — No state tournament. There are no Mainland tournaments for this age group.
• Mustang (9-10) — 'Ewa/'Ewa Beach won the state championship on Tuesday and advances to the West Zone Regional scheduled for July 31-Aug. 4 at Chino Hills, Calif. The World Series is set for Aug. 6-9 at Irving, Texas.
• Bronco (11-12) — Mililani 'A' won the state championship on Monday and will advance directly to the Bronco World Series set for Aug. 7-12 at Monterey, Calif. Mililani was awarded the Asia-Pacific Zone's berth due to problems related to the SARS outbreak in Asia.
• Pony (13-14) — Section tournament ends Sunday at Mililani District Park. Hawai'i Region Tournament is set for July 18-22 at Pilila'au Community Park in Wai'anae. Winner advances to the Western Zone tournament Aug. 2-6 at Fullerton, Calif. Zone champion advances to the Pony World Series set for Aug. 9-16 at Washington, Pa.

CAL RIPKEN/BABE RUTH

• Cal Ripken (9-10) — 'Aiea won the state championship on Sunday and advances to the Regional tournament July 17-23 at Kingsburg, Calif. The Regional champion will advance to the World Series scheduled for Aug. 2-9 at Williamsberg, Pa.
• Cal Ripken (11-12) — State tournament begins today and ends Monday at Kilauea District Park. Winner advances to Regional tournament July 31-Aug. 6 at San Luis Obispo, Calif.
• Babe Ruth (13s) — State tournament set for Saturday and Sunday at Central O'ahu Regional Park. Champion advances to Regional tournament July 24-30 at Surprise, Ariz. Regional winner advances to World Series Aug. 9-16 at Pine Bluff, Ark.
• Babe Ruth (14s) — All-Star team will play in Regional tournament July 31-Aug. 6 at Murray, Utah. Regional champion advances to World Series set for Aug. 16-23 at Quincy, Mass.
• Babe Ruth (13-15) — State tournament will be played Saturday and Sunday at Central O'ahu Regional Park, with winner advancing to Regional tournament July 24-30 at Visalia, Calif. Regional champion advances to World Series set for Aug. 16-23 at Williston, N.D.
• Babe Ruth (16s) — All-Star team will play in Regional tournament July 24-30 at Hanford, Calif. Regional champion advances to World Series set for Aug. 9-16 at Jamestown, N.Y.
• Babe Ruth (16-18) — State tournament set for tomorrow through Sunday at Iron Maehara Stadium in Wailuku. Champion advances to Regional tournament July 25-30 at Woodland, Calif. Regional winner advances to World Series set for Aug. 9-16 at Weimar, Texas.

AMERICAN LEGION

• American Legion (18-under) — State tournament scheduled for July 26-31 at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu. Champion advances to Western Regional tournament Aug. 14-18 at Lodi, Calif. Regional winner advances to World Series set for Aug. 22-26 at Bartlesville, Okla.