Thursday, March 15, 2001
It’s not easy Brandon League's value to the St. Louis baseball team extends beyond his 92-mile-per-hour fastball and biting slider. While the senior may possess the nastiest stuff in the state, even more significant is the sense of invincibility he instills in his teammates every time he takes the mound.
to hit against
this ‘League’
St. Louis pitcher can be
By Jason Kaneshiro
dominating, but he's also learned
to rely on team defense
Star-Bulletin"When the team goes out, they just feel his presence," said St. Louis coach Dean Sato. "So they step it up a notch when he's pitching."
League, a senior right-hander, will make his 2001 debut at Ala Wai Field either in St. Louis' season opener Saturday against Iolani or in Tuesday's showdown with Kamehameha. But whenever he steps on the hill, League's teammates know their opponents will get few good swings against their ace.
"He brings the same thing to his team that Kahi Kaanoi brought to our team last year -- that confidence that when he's pitching, you're going to win," said Kamehameha coach Vern Ramie, referring to his star hurler of a year ago. "And that's invaluable."
And like Kaanoi, now pitching in the Kansas City Royals farm system, League's future may lie in the professional ranks. Baseball America rates League among the nation's top 10 high school prospects. He has already given a verbal commitment to attend Pepperdine University next fall, but whether he sets foot on the Malibu, Calif. campus depends on how high he goes in Major League Baseball's amateur draft this summer.
"He's going somewhere very high in the draft, I feel," said Sato, who also serves as a scout with the Philadelphia Phillies' organization. "I've been following him since his sophomore year. ... My boss, who is the area supervisor, has been following him also and really likes his physical makeup, his contribution to baseball in Hawaii and especially his disposition. He's really grown mentally."
Radar guns began pointing in League's direction during a sophomore campaign in which he went 5-2 with a 2.47 earned run average and struck out 70 batters in just 51 innings. His 6-foot-2, 185-pound build and whip-like arm action had scouts counting the days before they would be able to sign the youngster from Waialae Iki. But League's stats slipped as a junior as he posted a record of 2-3 and watched his ERA balloon to 5.24. League struck out 52 batters, but gave up 48 hits in a little more than 42 innings.
"That's because he fell behind in the counts," Sato said. "He was throwing curveballs as leadoff pitches and not throwing strikes."
League learned to trust his pitches and his defense last summer while playing with the USA Junior Olympic team. The new attitude freed him to bring pitches over the plate without trepidation. Once ahead in the count, he can then use his assortment of pitches to bait batters into taking weak swings.
"I know my defense will do good against anybody, so it gives me extra confidence to let the batters hit and put the ball in play," League said.
But putting the ball in play against League is easier said than done. While few can catch up with his fastball, League can keep hitters off balance with a curveball, slider and change-up. St. Louis pitching coach and former major leaguer Carlos Diaz has helped League put more bite on his curveball and has him tinkering with a split-finger fastball. League is also adjusting his arm angle to give his fastball maximum movement without sacrificing velocity.
"Ninety-two miles per hour is nice, but it's his movement," said Mid-Pacific coach Dunn Muramaru. "He has great movement and that's what the scouts talk about."
Ah yes, the scouts. League is leaving the details of his professional future to his mother, Leigh Sogi, who is handling the business end of her son's baseball career. In the meantime, League can concentrate on leading the Crusaders into the new season and making life miserable for Interscholastic League of Honolulu hitters.
"We look forward to the challenge," Ramie said. "But I don't think anybody really looks forward to facing him."
The following is a look at how the baseball races around the state shape up entering the new season. The ILH begins play Saturday, while the Oahu Interscholastic Association gets underway next week.
ILH
Parity reigns in the ILH this spring. Kamehameha and Iolani may be the early favorites to return to the state tournament, but Mid-Pacific, Punahou and St. Louis all have title aspirations. Traditional second-tier teams like Damien, Maryknoll and Pac-Five also have the talent to make life interesting for the perennial powers.
"That's the beauty of our league," Ramie said. "They all have quality people and if you're not really ready to play, anybody can beat you."
The Warriors' righty-lefty combination of Hubert Pruett and Shannon Kahale will try to fill the void left by Kaanoi's departure. Shortstop Bronson Sardinha, who has also committed to Pepperdine, is a draft prospect, but Ramie also has weapons in first-baseman Alika Kuraoka and center fielder Tyler Perkins.
Iolani returns a bevy of experienced talent, led by first-baseman Blaine Umeda, third-baseman Brad Takamori and designated hitter/pitcher Kila Kaaihue.
Corey Yamamoto, Travis McGaughy, Tyler McCreadie and Rich Olsen round out a deep Raider pitching staff. "The ILH always comes down to pitching, because you play three times a week," said Iolani coach Dean Yonamine.
Mid-Pacific infielder Dane Marcoullier moves from third base to shortstop to solidify the Owls' middle infield, along with second baseman Dane Omura. A key to the Owls' title run will be finding quality starting pitching to back returnee Ricky Bauer.
First-year Punahou coach Eric Kadooka prepared a young Buffanblu squad by scheduling 20 preseason games.
Returning all-star Reid Matsushima returns as Punahou's leading hitter and pitcher. Fellow seniors Peter Phillips and Kea Kometani provide experience on the mound, while Todd LaFountaine returns behind the plate.
While St. Louis' title hopes ride on League's right arm, the development of pitchers Guy McDowell and Kaimi Mead as quality starters may prove to be more important. Catcher Nick Tudisco and third-baseman Milton Graddo power the Crusaders' offense. St. Louis opens against Kamehameha Saturday and Iolani Tuesday, and Sato has vowed to shave his head if his team wins both contests.
OIA East
Kailua's pitching and experience makes the defending OIA champion Surfriders a favorite to keep the division crown in Windward Oahu. Kailua coach Corey Ishigo will build around a quartet of veterans in pitcher/infielder Kawika Kekaula, shortstop Travis Hayashida and outfielders Jory Pearce and Mike Cathcart.
Castle, which won the East last year, must replace 11 seniors, including seven starters. Still, the Knights have the weapons to contend -- with shortstop Jordan Tom and catcher Jason Taniguchi leading the attack. Castle's keys will be the development of a pitching staff featuring four sophomores and defensive consistency.
"We've never had a team this young," Tom said. "We've been in every game in the preseason when we do the routine things."
Roosevelt has no such experience problems with 12 seniors on the roster. Rough Rider coach Kerry Higa enjoys the luxury of a pair of quality left-handed pitchers in Chris Mols and Jason Yasuda. Leadership will come from catcher Joey Shimabuku, outfielders Corey and Jonathan Higa and infielder Bryson Villanueva.
Kaiser could contend if the Cougars find more pitchers to complement senior Nathan Ota. A strong junior class led by shortstop David Chu and outfielder Jason Peters pace the Kaiser offense.
Kalani's experience and the addition of a solid Moanalua squad to the division should add to the congestion in the race for the division's six OIA playoff berths.
OIA West
The division, which boasts four of the last six OIA winners, appears wide open, as at least six schools will challenge for the division title. "It's a tough division because of teams like Aiea, Waianae, Pearl City and Campbell," Mililani head coach Glenn Nitta said. "We're pretty equal as far as talent. Any one of us could win the division, that's how equal the division is."
The Trojans return the talented trio of pitcher Gainor Nitta, third baseman Galenn Nitta and shortstop Donald Cy from last year's OIA runner-up squad. Campbell's Chad Bailey, a 6-5 lefty, brings a dominating presence to the mound. Bailey, however, isn't the only talent on the team, as right-hander Jensen Matta returns to create problems for Saber opponents.
In spite of Leilehua coach Garrett Yukumoto's wishes to be picked last in the preseason rankings, it's unlikely the defending division champion Mules will end up anywhere near the cellar. Leilehua returns two first-team all-stars in catcher Jay Baptista and infielder BJ Clifton. Though Leilehua struggled in the preseason, opposing coaches know better than to count the Mules out.
In fact, Campbell coach Lane Watanuki has an entirely different view of the matter.
"Garrett is sandbagging," Watanuki said. "He does this every preseason. They had a terrible preseason last year, and then they kicked everyone's butt in season."
MIL
The Maui season opens this weekend with two-time state champion Molokai reloading under new coach Larry Rawlins.
Infielders Keahi Rawlins and Kelii Alcon, outfielder Ikaika Lester and pitcher Ikaika Place lead the Farmers' quest for a third consecutive title. Baldwin also features an experienced lineup, led by catcher Kurt Suzuki, currently mulling a scholarship offer from college baseball power Cal State Fullerton.
Maui's Royce Fukuroku ranks among the Valley Isle's top hitters, while St. Anthony, Lahainaluna and King Kekaulike could emerge as sleeper teams.
"You can't take anyone lightly," Baldwin coach Kahai Shishido said. "There's always a team that seems to step up and spoil somebody's quest for the title."
BIIF
Waiakea enters the season as the Big Island favorite, powered by the bat of first-baseman Ryan Hanohano and the pitching of Eric Tao.
Hilo, under first-year coach Sidney Nozaki, is in a rebuilding phase with just a handful of players from last season's state tournament squad returning, led by pitcher/shortstop Davin Feary.
St. Joseph's pitching depth makes the Cardinals a threat to contend, while Konawaena and Kealakehe have the bats to make noise in the league race.
KIF
A year after Kapaa knocked Kauai off the KIF throne, the Red Raiders are bent on reclaiming Garden Isle supremacy.
Kauai is led by pitcher/outfielder Mark Rodrigues, who has captured the attention of scouts with both his arm and his bat.
Kapaa should be Kauai's closest challenger, with outfielder Kaili Panui carrying the offensive load.
Waimea is loaded with freshmen and sophomores and may be a year away from contention.
Hawaii School Web Sites
