Some 60 of Hawaii's top high school underclassmen have been invited to attend Major League Scouting Bureau's first-ever Hawaii tryout camp. Underclassmen
invited to campBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comThe invitation-only camp is scheduled for Sunday from 8:30 to 3 p.m. at Rainbow Stadium. The purpose is to help identify potential professional prospects from high school players who will be sophomores, juniors and seniors next year.
Dan Dixon, an area scout with the Major League Scouting Bureau, sent letters to every Hawaii high school with a baseball team, asking coaches to recommend players for the camp.
"We received responses from a little over 50 percent of the coaches and had about 90 youngsters from all the islands recommended," Dixon said. "I realize not everyone is in Hawaii during the summer, but I expect 60 to 70 players to attend."
The Major League Scouting Bureau works out of the commissioner's office and its reports are available to all 30 major league teams.
Registration starts at 8:30 a.m. Following that, the position players will be timed in the 60-yard dash and have their arms and fielding mechanics graded. Pitchers will throw in the bullpen and have their mechanics and velocity evaluated.
Approximately 45 players will stay for an intrasquad game. Family members and friends are welcome to watch the camp, which is free to all participants.
"This is a great opportunity for a youngster to showcase his skills. Wouldn't it be something if we found another Onan Masaoka or Jerome Williams?" said Dixon, who has been with the bureau for 17 years.
Dixon will be assisted by three scouts from the mainland and several local high school coaches. All local scouts, representing several major league teams, are expected to observe at the camp.
Vakasausau to Phillips
Former University High School volleyball player Litiana Vakasausau has committed to attend Frank Phillips College in Borger, Texas.The Lady Plainsmen compete in the Western Junior College Athletic Conference.
Vakasausau, a 5-foot-8 outside hitter, was an Interscholastic League of Honolulu honorable mention for the Junior Rainbows last season. She also played for the UHS girls basketball team.
Vakasausau's sister, Margaret Vakasausau, will be a junior on the University of Hawaii women's volleyball team this fall.
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