Babe Ruth Hawaii won the championship game of the 15 and under World Series last night by knocking off defending champion Jefferson Parish of Louisiana 9-5 in Hamilton, N.J. Oahu Babe Ruth team
wins World SeriesShawn Kiriu gave up only one run in five innings to get the victory. Tournament MVP Kaimi Mead pitched the final two innings to ensure the victory. Also on the All-Tournament team from Hawaii were Michael Lam, Justin Ariki and Mark Veneri.
This is the second Hawaii team to win a national title in baseball in recent weeks. Aiea won the Junior Little League championship for the second consecutive season.
Lanikai captures Kailua Bay's Iron Challenge
Lanikai No. 1 won the Kailua Bay's Iron Challenge yesterday in a winning time of 1 hour, eight minutes, 16 seconds.The 9.5-mile course from Moku Lea to Na Moku Lua to Kailua Beach is a grueling test because the crews are not allowed to substitute. Kailua 1 placed second in 1:11:34. Hui Nalu 1 finished third at 1:13:06.
Wong, Metzger advance in beach volleyball
Eighth-seeded Eric Fonoimoana and Rob Heidger posted three-straight wins yesterday and will play Hawaii's Kevin Wong and Stein Metzger in today's opening match of the $150,000 Michelob Light Manhattan Beach Open on the sand volleyball courts south of The Pier.Metzger and Wong, who won last week's Association of Volleyball Professionals event in Santa Barbara, Calif., advanced to today's opening match with a 21-19, 19-21 and 16-14 win over fourth-seeded Brent Doble and Lee LeGrande in 81 minutes.
Name: Bob Kawamoto TIMEOUT
Volunteer work: Little League administration
It was about 38 years ago, Bob Kawamoto estimates, that he first got involved with Little League baseball in Hawaii.
He coached and managed when his kids played. Then he became a district administrator for seven years. He was the state umpire consultant for five. Then the state administrator, overseeing the whole operation for 17 years. "We don't have that position any more," he said.
So now he's back to the district level, having been elected again as one of six administrators. The retired civil engineer looks after the Windward area and Kauai.
He loves it.
During the season, he watches kids play every day there's a game. For the past 26 seasons, he's attended the regional tournament in San Bernardino, Calif. He meets new people and sees old friends. Throughout his years in Little League, he's known people in places like Japan. He's known people everywhere there is baseball.
"I find it to be fun," he said. "It's a lot of work. If people don't want to work, if they don't want to put in the time, this is not for them. But I find it to be very, very enjoyable."
There are many forms of youth baseball, and basically they are the same, Kawamoto said. But he likes the little things about Little League.
"Primarily, our program is for participation," he said. Every kid has to play, every kid learns to field and bat. Winning is nice, he said, but not the most important thing. This is the spirit of his stewardship.
"Rules and regulations are set up because we feel it's a good thing," Kawamoto said.
To nominate a volunteer, please call 529-4782 or e-mail nabramo@starbulletin.com
Hawaii's Own
Benny Agbayani, Mets: The St. Louis and Hawaii Pacific alumnus did not play in New York's 3-2, 11-inning win over San Francisco.Mike Fetters, Pirates: The Iolani graduate did not pitch in Pittsburgh's 8-2 win over Houston.
Chris Truby, Astros: The Damien alumnus struck out in a ninth-inning pinch-hitting appearance as Houston lost to Pittsburgh 8-2.
[WINNERS & LOSERS]
[WINNERS]
<< Steve Veriato: The Big Island native finally won his first Senior PGA event -- and a career-best $225,000 -- after six years and 98 previous tournaments. Veriato admitted that he wondered if he was ever going to finish atop the leaderboard, but his perseverance paid off.Thero Mitchell: The Hawaii football player -- a junior walk-on running back battling for a starting spot -- chased down a shoplifter outside of a 7-Eleven, and then shrugged off his selfless deed.
Daryl Wasano: The Oceanside, Calif., Little League manager was very gracious after a 1-0 loss to the Bronx team in the World Series semifinals -- despite an obvious blown call by an umpire that led to the game's only run.
[LOSERS]
>> Tony Tata: The St. Louis School football standout who is playing at Nebraska spent a night in jail for disturbing the peace in Lincoln, Neb. Tata and teammate Dahrran Diedrick bring the total number of Cornhuskers arrested since June to four.Phil Mickelson: Falling short in another major last weekend was fine -- he's still a great player -- but he then proceeded to tout himself for player of the year. Of course, that was before Mickelson fell six back in the NEC Invitational yesterday with a third-round collapse.
Rick Reilly: The Sports Illustrated columnist added to the growing list of writers who feel it is their job to bash San Francisco slugger Barry Bonds because they don't like his personality.