Sakumoto enjoying Dutch treat
By Leila Wai
Advertiser Staff Writer
Former Claremont-Mudd-Scripps catcher Chad Sakumoto is extending his baseball career in the most unlikely of places: Holland.
Photo courtesy of Chad Sakumoto
Sakumoto, a 2000 graduate of Punahou School, is playing for a team called Robur '58 this summer.
Former Claremont-Mudd-Scripps catcher Chad Sakumoto (in shorts) poses with Robur '58 teammates.
"To be honest, I never dreamed that I would have the opportunity to play after college so this has been a dream come true," said Sakumoto, via e-mail. "I always wanted to experience Europe so getting paid to play baseball, and to see Europe, it's absolutely amazing!!!"
Sakumoto, who has been in Holland since May, was chosen because his connection with the CMS baseball team. He is one of several college players from America playing on the team.
"Any time you go abroad, it's always a culture shock," Sakumoto said. "I thought it was a culture shock to go away to college in Southern California so coming here as a Hawai'i boy, it's been very interesting adjusting to the culture."
He earned all-Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference second-team honors this past season, joining CMS teammates Tyler Kimura (Iolani 2000, from Honolulu) and Kyle Seminara (Punahou 2002, from Mililani), who were on the first team.
Seminara was also selected to the American Baseball Coaches Association All-West Region second team.
Sakumoto has also found success in Holland. He was named the "Best Hitter" of a tournament Robur '58 won after batting 9 for 13.
"Well, individual accolades are nice, but winning the championship was even better," Sakumoto said. "We were just a bunch of college players from all over the country thrown together and I think we practiced together once before we started the tournament."
He said the best part of the award was that his family was visiting and got to see him win it.
"The championship and the award wouldn't have been nearly as meaningful if they weren't here to share in that experience with me," said Sakumoto, who graduated with a double major in economics and history.
He said most of the game played in Holland is the same, except for a few changes.
"There are a few different customs which they don't follow," Sakumoto said. "For example, managers won't argue with umpires as much for fear that they'll be ejected (there is a monetary fine and suspension for ejection). But the game is played pretty much the same as in America."
Reach Leila Wai at lwai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 535-2457.
