Posted on: Friday, July 11, 2003

Every player is a winner in goodwill tournament

Advertiser Staff

While youth baseball leagues statewide enter serious playoffs, another tournament lacking of fanfare but not fun has been taking place for the past 25 years.

A goodwill Mustang-Bronco tournament featuring more than 300 players and emphasizing sportsmanship while de-emphasizing winning will be held today and tomorrow at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

"Everyone's a winner," said police officer Jon Almodova, a 28-year veteran of the force and this year's organizer of the event that is hosted by the Police Activities League.

The tournament will have 16 teams, eight in a Mustang (9- to 10-year-olds) division and eight in a Bronco (11-12) division.

Teams are from Mililani, Kona, Kaua'i and the Honolulu PAL.

In this tournament, final scores will not be kept, everybody bats, no player sits out two consecutive innings, pitchers can only pitch for two consecutive innings per game and there is a five-run limit per inning.

"These kids are not the kids who play in the state games. These are the kids who don't play to win all the time. Our criteria is we go on good attitude before we go on skill," Almodova said.

Almodova said all players will receive participation medals and tournament shirts.

"It helps with their character because they are around good kids ... so there is a bond the kids have."

Palama Settlement gym will house the Neighbor Island players. Also, a banquet that drew 650 was held last night.