HITTING for the cycle? How about hitting for the re-cycle? Hawaii Winter Baseball
still making impactThat what Herve Kurisu, president of the Hawaii Winter Baseball League World Foundation, aims to do.
While the Hawaii Winter Baseball league will be dormant after four seasons, the foundation arm of the organization refuses to be sent to the showers.
"We are continuing our mission, which is to give back to the community," said Kurisu, brother of league founder, Duane. "We've always believed in working with youth and there are various projects we are pursuing. Through our clinics, we are able to raise funds and then return those funds in the form of equipment."
Earlier this month, the foundation sponsored the Baseball and Softball in Paradise youth tournaments, which drew 115 teams from Hawaii and the mainland. It began with a phone call from a mainland travel agent who sent teams to international competition.
"He asked if we'd be able to host a tournament," Kurisu said. "When he told me the number of teams (about 30 from the mainland), I thought it would be great for the Hawaii economy.
"The most frustrating thing was securing all the fields. We had to fight with the football and soccer leagues, but it worked out. It can only get better."
And bigger, too, when Kurisu hopes to draw more teams from the neighbor islands.
HAT about Hawaii Winter Baseball?
The four-team circuit had players from single-A and double-A as well as rehabbing major leaguers. There also were players from Japan and Korea in keeping with Duane Kurisu's vision of "Hawaii: Where the world comes to play baseball."
"The league is pretty much dead this year but negotiations are still going on," Herve Kurisu said. "When Major League Baseball concludes its season and the teams have problems finding spots to develop their younger players, they'll be thinking about us."
Outside of the Arizona Fall League, there are no domestic leagues to which Major League Baseball can turn. Players may play in Venezuela and the Dominican Republic but "living conditions are not up to par in some of those places," Kurisu said. "They'd rather come to Hawaii."
Duane Kurisu sank millions of dollars into the developmental league with little return from Major League Baseball. He estimates that it would take between $30,000 and $40,000 from each MLB team to cover all the expenses of Hawaii Winter Baseball.
"The bottom line is how much are they (MLB) willing to meet us?" Herve Kurisu said. "Duane was tired of subsidizing them. All we want from them is to do what they do for the Arizona League. Which is to pay the salaries and a participation fee."
W HILE Hawaii Winter Baseball is sidelined, the league's merchandise is selling well. Kurisu said he continually receives calls for logo ware and for permission to use the various team logos.
There is even a team in Texas called the CaneFires, after the West Oahu franchise.
Whether he likes it or not, Kurisu's office has become Baseball Central. Calls are constantly coming in, asking about recreation leagues, high school leagues and tournaments.
A senior league team from Japan is looking for games in January. Know some makule baseball players (ages 55-65)? Call Kurisu at 973-7247.
And call him if you'd like to become a corporate donor. Or if you're a coach or player willing to lend your expertise at a youth clinic. Name your sport.
"Duane and I grew up in a plantation community where we didn't have matching uniforms," Herve Kurisu said. "Maybe Duane is so persistent about holding onto the winter league because he wants the kids here to have the opportunity to see pro baseball live.
"We're looking for funds but that money is going to circle back to the community."
It's called a home run.
Cindy Luis is a Star-Bulletin sportswriter.
Her column appears weekly.