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The Honolulu Advertiser

Updated at 2:30 p.m., Saturday, September 29, 2007

Winter Baseball gets under way at noon in Waipahu

Advertiser Staff

The city will co-sponsor a Sunset at the Ballpark event, "Catch the Dream, Waipahu" today and Sunday at Hans L'Orange Field during the Opening Day weekend of the 2007 Hawai'i Winter Baseball season.

"We want to make opening day weekend a fun and festive time for families and all Island baseball fans," Mayor Mufi Hannemann said. "Hawai'i Winter Baseball is acknowledged as one of baseball's premiere off-season leagues, and we want fans to come out and enjoy the games in a fun and exciting setting."

There will be food booths and entertainment provided by local bands as well as the Royal Hawaiian Band. There will also be a special Market Place and Keiki Center.

Hannemann will throw the first pitch of the first game at noon today.

Last year, players such as New York Yankees pitcher Joba Chamberlain and Kolby Clemens, son of Roger Clemens, played Hawaii Winter Baseball. In all, nearly 140 HWB players have gone on to play in the major leagues, including Ichiro Suzuki, Aaron Boone, and Jason Giambi.

Two HWB games will be played on each of the days of the opening weekend. The Honu will take on the CaneFires in game one at noon both today and Sunday. The Sharks will face the BeachBoys in the nightcap at 6 p.m. both days. Players will be available to sign autographs.

Admission to the "Catch the Dream" festivities is free. Ticket prices for the games range from $3 to $6.