Wednesday, June 9, 1999
Hawaii Island
By Al Chase
Movers skip Alaska
for Japan
Star-BulletinThe Hawaii Island Movers will mix baseball with a variety of cultural experiences this summer.
The Movers begin their 41-game schedule with an 18-game tour of Japan starting next Wednesday with a three-game series against the Fukuoka All-Stars.
The Movers will take a one-year hiatus from Alaska League competition due to the length of time they are in Japan.
"We had the opportunity to play a major schedule against major competition in Japan. If we also went to Alaska, that would mean another two weeks on the road playing a butcher schedule there," said Don Takaki, president of Pacific Region Baseball, Inc.
"It's hard for kids this age. Some have ... summer school, some have to work and they have girlfriends.
"Another compelling reason is Hawaii and Fukuoka have been sister states for a long time, but never have had a competition at this age and skill level. In a meeting I had last May with the Fukuoka people, they thought it would be a wonderful idea.
"It's also the 40th anniversary of the sister city relationship between Honolulu and Hiroshima."
After the Fukuoka series, the Movers play in the Hawaii-Hiroshima Goodwill Tournament, June 20-21. They finish the trip with 10 games against Japanese universities, including national runner-up, Tohokufukushi University.
"It's not like we're bypassing the Alaska League to play a rubbish schedule. I wouldn't do that," Takaki said. "The kids will be exposed to a number of American scouts in Japan. They will be helping to market Hawaii. They are ambassadors."
Upon returning, the Movers will play five series against local all-star teams, all with present and former collegians on their rosters.
The San Diego Oceanside Waves and Portland (Ore.) Aloha Knights come to town for games in late July and early August, then join the Movers and three all-star teams from Japan in the Hawaii International Baseball Championship Tournament, Aug. 5-8.
Takaki has until September to inform the Alaska League if the Movers will participate in 2000.
"It's not like we don't mesh well, but we'll also explore some other options," he said.
Pepperdine utilityman Benjamin "Woody" Cliffords, San Francisco right-hander Peter Dunkle, Hawaii Rainbow outfielder Rah-Miel Mitchell and Hawaii-Hilo right-hander Ben Siff are Movers who played high school ball on the mainland. The rest of the Movers played their prep ball in Hawaii.
Island Movers schedule
June on Japan tour
16-17-18: vs. Fukuoka All-Stars. 20: vs. Hiroshima All-Stars, vs. Shikoku All-Stars. 21: vs. Chugoku All-Stars. 23-24: vs. Kansai All-Stars. 26: vs. Nittaidai U. 27: vs. Tokai U. 28: vs. Kokushikan U. 30: vs. Aoyamagakuin U.
July on Japan tour
1: vs. Komazawa U. 2: vs. Hosei U. 3: vs. Keio U. 4: vs. Tohokufukushi U. 5: vs. Tohokugakuin U. 6: vs. Sendai U.
July at home
10: vs. Kauai All-Stars (2), 2 p.m. 11: vs. Kauai All-Stars, 3 p.m. 14: vs. West Oahu All-Stars, 6 p.m. 15: vs. West Oahu All-Stars, 6 p.m. 16: vs. Oahu All-Stars, 6 p.m. 17: vs. Oahu All-Stars, 4 p.m. 18: vs. Oahu All-Stars, 3 p.m. 20: vs. High School All-Stars, 6 p.m. 21: vs. High School All-Stars, 6 p.m. 23: vs. Maui All-Stars, 6 p.m. 24: vs. Maui All-Stars, 4 p.m. 25: vs. Maui All-Stars, 3 p.m. 31: vs. San Diego Oceanside Waves, 4 p.m.
August at home
1: vs. San Diego Oceanside Waves (2), 2 p.m. 2: vs. Portland Aloha Knights, 6 p.m. 3: vs. Portland Aloha Knights, 6 p.m. 5-8: Hawaii International Baseball Championship Tournament with Shuto U. All-Stars, Kyushu U. All-Stars, Tohoku Fukushi U. All-Stars, San Diego Oceanside Waves, Portland Aloha Knights and Hawaii Island Movers.Home games at Rainbow Stadium.
Island Movers roster
Player Pos B/T HT WT CL School Kris Cambra P R/R 6-2 180 Fr. Puget Sound Brandon Chaves IF S/R 6-2 175 Fr. Hawaii-Hilo Ben Cliffords OF/IF L/R 6-2 180 Fr. Pepperdine Peter Dunkle P R/R 6-5 205 Fr. San Francisco Kanoa Fong P L/L 6-0 175 prep Iolani Derek Honma OF S/R 5-10 160 Fr. Hawaii Jared Kitamura IF R/R 5-6 150 Fr. New Mexico Scooter Martines OF/IF R/R 5-10 190 So. Hawaii Rah-Miel Mitchell OF S/R 5-11 172 Fr. Hawaii David Perreira IF R/R 6-1 185 Jr. Washington St Matt Ramie OF/IF R/R 6-2 190 Fr. Laney College William Rayl P R/R 6-3 190 So. Hawaii-Hilo Duke Sardinha IF R/R 5-11 180 Fr. Pepperdine Ben Siff P R/R 5-11 175 So. Hawaii-Hilo Chris Small C R/R 6-0 210 Jr. Princeton Scott Tajima C R/R 5-9 170 Fr. New Mexico Marvin Wong P R/R 6-2 190 Fr. New Mexico Sean Yamashita P R/R 5-9 168 Fr. HawaiiHead coach: Thomas Gushiken. Assistants: Kevin Takahashi, Kallen Miyatake.
