Little League Diary

Timo Donahue, coach of the Waipi'o baseball team in the 11- to 12-year-old Little League World Series in Williamsport, Pa., will provide insights from youth baseball's oldest and most prestigious tournament. Waipi'o is the 10th Hawai'i team to compete in the World Series, which started in 1947. The last team, West O'ahu, in 2005, is the only team to win the title.

WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — At least we know we're one of the top four teams in the nation. Win that, then you're one of the top two.

It feels good (to beat Tampa). The kids worked hard for it and it's well deserved.

We didn't get to see any of the regionals. There was a lot of hype up here about them, from announcers.

Was good to get on the field with them. They supposedly were picked to be one of the teams up here. Feels good to beat them.

Good to be the underdog.

Everywhere we went, we're the underdog, except for the states.

At the regionals, they picked Nevada.

Up here, they liked Connecticut and then Florida. (Waipi'o beat both).

In pregame, we don't focus on the other team, we just focus on what each guy has to do to be successful.

Only time we talked about the other team was getting prepared, mentally prepared, for (Nevada's hard-throwing) Michael Blasko.

HIT PARADE

We started swinging the bat good, so it's a step in the right direction.

It was matter of time before we got our hits to start falling.

These guys are capable of hitting a lot better.

We have guys, if they all were to hit (at same time), I think it would be a sight to be seen.

Tonight (10 runs) was pretty good.

I think we have a bunch of guys on this team who can hit for power who just haven't shown it ... and hitting is contagious.

INJURY UPDATE

(Starting catcher Iolana Akau) is making progress, hoping to get him back by the semifinals.

(Starting pitcher Khade Paris) elbow flared up again. We'll wait and see (if he pitches again).