Softball

KAILUA-KONA, Hawaii — Locals say it never rains in Kona. Well, it finally did, but only on the first day of the COVID (Mayor’s) Cup held Jan. 15-17 at the Old Airport Field in Kailua-Kona.

With the COVID-19 pandemic still surging in most states, numbers were low enough on the Big Island to allow 12 teams, who followed safe playing protocols, to finally commence tournament play.

Almost a third of the players who played in the COVID Cup had to fly into the Big Island and were subject to taking a mandatory travel pre-test. As of Feb. 1, there were no reports of any COVID cases from playing this tournament.

With so many people hesitant to fly or play softball because of COVID, the tournament committee (Bob Fitzgerald, Jeffrey Kimoto, and Dave Fukumoto) made the decision to allow one additional younger player to a team (from three to four) to round out a team’s roster—this rule was temporary.

A new team brought attention to the Men’s Mauna Kea (upper) 60s division, Team Kia’i, a fusion of players from Kauai, Maui, and the mainland, powered their way through the tournament going undefeated and winning by an average of 11 runs per game.

The team is managed by Shawn Hosaka and Bully Balocan. Gary Chaney garnered the MVP award for hitting at least one homerun every game.

“I thought our team played well enough to win, we made the plays we had to,” said Hosaka.

“We tried to keep our errors to a minimum and we did our best to answer our opponents runs with runs of our own throughout the tournament. We were also lucky that none of our guys got hurt since we were 10 strong.”

In the Mauna Loa (lower) 60s division, Earl Wakakua’s Hilo Legends had to play the if game against local rivalry Kona Legends. Hilo Legends defeated Kona Legends 11-7, giving them back-to-back tournament wins.

Next year’s tournament, the 10th Hawaii Mayor’s Cup, will be held Jan. 17 to 21 and will have a slightly different format. There will now be a new 70s Men’s division to be held on Thursday, Jan. 20 and Friday, Jan. 21. This division will allow four younger players 68 and 69 years old.

“I wanted to protect the older players so they can enjoy playing among their own age group without worrying about getting hurt by younger, stronger players,” said Jeffrey Kimoto, tournament co-chair.

In the 60s Men’s division, we will revert back to allowing only three players 55-59 on a team, playing on Monday, Jan. 17 to Wednesday, Jan. 19.

The Wahine (women’s) division will also play Monday, Jan. 17 to Wednesday, Jan. 19.

Entry fee is $550/team. More information is available at hawaiimayorscup.org

Kauai Senior Softball Association’s League Commissioner, Pedro Patrick Baniaga passed away on Dec. 11 2019 at Wilcox Medical Center.

He was born on March 29, 1947, in Waimea, and served in the U.S Army,

He was a purchasing supervisor and worked at Budget Rent a Car.

Pat has administered the senior league on Kauai for over 15 years.

He was preceded in death by his father Pedro Pete Ramos Baniaga, grandfather Apolonio Baniaga, grandmother Maria Ramos Baniaga, and wife Evelyn Suku Baniaga.

He is survived by his sons Sanoe (Lani) Baniaga of Kaumakani and Patrick “Patches” (Xiani) Baniaga of Kaumakani, companion Carol Apilado of Kekaha, grandchildren Sum-Yee, Maikoa, Maika, Makaio and Railee Baniaga, mother Consuelo “Connie” Baniaga, and sister Marianne (Mark) Lipward of Vermillion, South Dakota, and by numerous uncles, aunts, nieces, nephews and cousins.

A celebration of life will be held on Saturday, January 11, 2020, at Hanapepe senior softball field next to Hanapepe Stadium. Family visitation will be held from 9 to 11 a.m. Sarge Soto will be officiating.  He welcomes input, and can be reached at 651-0149.

Several Kauai players, with the help of other island players and some mainland players, medal at this year’s Huntsman Senior Games in St. George, Utah.

Kauai 70s, Ho’oikaika 74, Ho’oikaika 70s, and Hanapaa 65s garnered gold.

Islanders 55s and 60s garnered silver.

Kauai Rebels took Bronze in the 60s division.

KONA — The Islanders of the Kauai Senior Softball League were down 2-0 following two innings of play against Kolohe in the finals of the F division at the Hawaii State Senior Softball Tournament last week in Kona.

That shook the Islander bats and defense into action, and the Islanders went on to clinch the division crown with a 20-5 win over Kolohe.

According to Islanders’ coach Joe Bertucci, they were the only team out of 12 participating Kauai teams to come home with a championship and an undefeated record.

The 44th annual state tournament included 67 teams representing four counties.

Bertucci said the team came out swinging in each game, taking wins over the Waiakea Seniors, 16-11, the Golden Eagles, 17-5, and Pu‘ukapu, 19-10, before setting up against Kolohe for the division title.

Article from The Garden Island

Current information on the 2019 Hawaii State Senior Softball Tournament is now available.

The 2019 Hawaii State Senior Softball Tournament is scheduled to play on the Big Island (Kona side), Tuesday, Aug. 6 to Thursday, Aug. 8. The coach’s meeting is Monday, Aug. 5.

State Tournament Schedule-A Division
State Tournament Schedule-B Division
State Tournament Schedule-C Division
State Tournament Schedule-D Division
State Tournament Schedule-E Division
State Tournament Schedule-F Division
State Tournament Schedule-G Division
State Tournament Schedule-H Division

Hotel Accommodations

King Kam, Kona Seaside and Royal Kona does give discount to teams.

King Kam hotel contact is Alana Yamamoto (808) 329-2911.

A handful of local senior softball teams competed at the 2018 Huntsman World Senior Games in St. George, Utah earlier this month.

This year, 349 teams played in the softball competition.

Hanipa’a 60s won gold in the Men’s 60s C+ Red division.

“It was awesome. (Being from) a small island in the middle of the Pacific and competing with players from 35 countries, there were like 5,500-some softball players there,” said Hanipa’a 60s first baseman Sia Salausa. “This was our second year. We won gold last year, and this year we won gold again. It’s all about camaraderie, (meeting people) from all around the world and playing the game we love to play.

Hanipa’a 60s defeated Edmonton Vintage of Canada in the final game, 19-16.

CONTINUE

Entry application for this event is now available.

Jan. 21-24, 2019

Old Airport Field in Kailua Kona.

60 and over, three players under 60 allowed to play on the field.

Entry fee is $500 team/$50 individual

For more information, contact tournament coordinator Dave Fukumoto, Phone: 808.989.3195
Email: [email protected]

www.hawaiimayorscup.org

The state of Hawaii sent nine senior softball teams to the Huntsman Senior Games in St. George, Utah that started Oct. 9 thorough Oct. 21. Seven teams represented Kauai and two were from Oahu.

The Kauai Islanders, sponsored by Aloha Roofing, a mixed roster of players from Kauai, Hawaii, and California, managed by Jeffrey Kimoto, garnered the bronze medal in the 55 AA division. Leading the team to the medal round were locals Al Banach, Steve Kaui, Kimoto, Donald Ouderkirk (Kauai/Hawaii), Mark Gomes (Hawaii), and Peter Ngringotel (Hawaii). Islanders lost to Nomad Xpress from Calgary, Alberta 27-16 in the third round.

Guy Ruiz’s Hanapa’a 60s won gold in the 60 B division. Hanapa’a beat Hewcore Legends from Ontario, Canada 18-14.

Guy Ruiz’s Hanapa’a 65s also won gold in the 65 A division. Hanapa’a defeated Reliant 65s from Beaverton, Oregon 21-20.

Kauai 70s, managed by Frank Bukoski made it to the championship round in the A+ Black division, but lost to Pacific Group Advisors 21-10 and brought home the silver medal.

Ron Chittenden’s Hekili team garnered bronze medal in the 70 C division. They lost to Sequoia Bark Sales from Reedley, Calif. 21-16.

In the 74+ AAA Blue division, Ka Uila, managed by Lily Tamashiro, came up a game short of medal and finished in fourth place. After scoring 27 runs in the morning game, the team came up short in the must-win game and lost to Bull Dogs from Surrey, British Columbia 16-12. “Everyone had fun and the main thing is no one got hurt,” said Tamashiro.

Kauaians Paul Silva and Guy Ruiz played for the Oahu team Ho’o Ikaika, managed by Butch Tenn, and won gold in the 70 AA Red division. They beat Coyotes 70 from Oceanside, Calif. 21-16.

Kimoto and Kapaa’s Bully Balocan also played on a 50’s team, Woodlawn Hitting Club from St. Petersburg, Florida, who hobbled into the championship round, but lost to Grand Slam Sports Card of Port St. Lucie, Florida and won silver in the 50 AAA Black division.

Three teams took championship at the 42nd Hawaii State Senior Softball Tournament held on Oahu Aug. 7-12.

Lihue A’s won the C division by defeating Hui Ohana 14-11.

Rookies won the E division by beating local nemesis Islanders 20-11.

Kawaihau swept the G division going undefeated. They beat Golden Eagles 27-7.

All final scores can be found at oahuseniorsoftball.org

The Kauai Senior Softball League will open its 49th season of play this Saturday, Jan. 28, at the Bryan Baptiste Sports Complex in Kapaa. Opening ceremonies will start at 8:45 a.m. with greetings from local and state dignitaries, followed by the opening pitch ceremony.

Opening the season with the first pitch will be represented by four players who will turn 80 this year: Jack Lucas (DaKruzers), Ben Aranio (West Kauai), Hank Nishikawa (Rookies), and Daniel Manus (West Kauai).

This year’s league has expanded to 13 teams, with the new team Islanders, coming from Hanamaulu and coached by Joe Bertucci. Kauai will now have the same number of teams as Maui, with Big Island having 24 teams and Oahu with 17 teams. With over 200 senior players, this is one of the largest ongoing activity for our kupuna.

“Kauai’s active seniors continue with another season of softball. The ball players are often retired from leading government, business, and professional endeavors.  Some are still employed, and having fun and recreation with this League activity.  We look forward to another great season,” said Mike Curtis, league president.

This year’s league officers are incumbents, President Mike Curtis; Vice President Sia Salausa; Secretary Jed Somit; Treasurer Stephen Fujii; and League Manager Jeffrey Kimoto.

Click here for the Opening Day program (PDF).