Hawai'i's own professional baseball season started yesterday at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu, temporary home of Hawaii Winter Baseball.

Humidity didn't dampen the enthusiasm of diehard fans who sat on a grassy hill off right field, hoping to catch foul balls hit by players they expect to be watching in the major leagues someday.

"Last year there were a lot of good players," said William Leskovec, who sat in a lawn chair armed with a baseball mitt to catch stray balls. Four players from last season have made it to the majors.

Leskovec attended almost every game last year and retrieved enough baseballs to fill a shelf, the prize being a ball signed by North Shore Honu infielder Koby Clemens and his father, New York Yankees pitcher Roger Clemens.

Last season, games were played at Hans L'Orange and Les Murakami Stadium at the University of Hawai'i, but this year the four winter league teams will play all their games at Hans L'Orange.

For the privilege, the winter league helped make several improvements to the city park, adding a new skybox and scoreboard, along with new field lights and air-conditioned restrooms. In addition, the league helps keep the field groomed to Major League Baseball standards during the season.

"We would not be able to do these kinds of improvements without their help, so it's a good trade-off," said Mayor Mufi Hannemann, who threw out the opening pitch.

Opening weekend was coupled with a community Sunset at the Ball Park event featuring food booths and kiddie attractions, in addition to two Hawaii Winter Baseball games yesterday and another two games at noon and 6 p.m. today.

Many people got distracted by food offerings like fried catfish and prime rib chili and hadn't made it into the ball park a few innings into the game.

But while there was a lot of room in the stands, those in their seats were enthusiastic about the crack of baseballs against wooden bats.

For Jimmy Mendoza, 83, yesterday's game renewed his tradition of bringing his grandchildren to the games, as well as his habit of sitting on the grassy hill. "It has a better view and we can watch for fly balls," he said.

But Jensen and Charlene Tamanaha, seated in the shaded bleachers, were first-timers who said they might end up getting hooked.

"It's amazing to see the caliber of the players. The ball zips and goes where it's supposed to go," Charlene said, pointing out that most of the baseball she watches involves her son Keola's Little League team.

"It's not just good for us, it's good for the kids, too," Jensen said. He and his wife agreed that the winter league offers their kids something to aspire to.

The Na Pa'ani Waipahu girls youth softball team came to the event for a fundraiser, but parents wanted their girls to see a real baseball game, too, said mom Jennifer Garma.

Nine-year-old Jenette Garma was awed by the professional players.

"They're really good," she said.

Reach Treena Shapiro at tshapiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.