CINDY ELLEN RUSSELL / CRUSSELL@STARBULLETIN.COM The West Oahu Little League World Series Champions of 2005 pose for a portrait at their home dugout at New Mahiko Park in Ewa. Pictured clockwise from the front are coach Clint Tirpak, manager Layton Aliviado, coach Tyron Kitashima, Ty Tirpak, Ethan Javier, Layson Kaeo Aliviado, Alaka'i Aglipay, Harrison Kam, Quentin Guevara, Kini Enos, Sheyne Baniaga and Zachary Ranit. Not pictured are Vonn Fe'ao, Michael Memea and Zachary Rosete.

Heavy Hitters

Hawaii Little Leaguers test themselves and come out as World Series champs

HAROLD REYNOLDS was an all-star second baseman with the Seattle Mariners and enjoyed a long and productive big-league career.

He has also paid close attention to thousands of baseball games at all levels as an ESPN analyst.

Through the end of the year, the Star-Bulletin will recognize 10 who changed Hawaii this year. Some were controversial, others shunned the spotlight. But all made a difference.

"It was one of the most exciting I've ever seen," Reynolds said in a phone interview this week. "But what really made it was the group of kids. Layson (Aliviado), he's such a smart player. (Vonn) Fe'ao, an incredible athlete. For them all to play the way they did at that age was something you just don't see."

Other teams from Hawaii had come close to winning youth baseball's most coveted championship, but they did not have as much power hitting and pitching depth as the 2005 team from Ewa Beach.

Reynolds, who covers the Little League World Series every year, said this team possessed physical strength along with a penchant for coming up with big plays at key points.

Both attributes converged with Michael Memea's game-winning homer in the seventh inning of the championship game. The team from Hawaii hit 13 home runs in its six LLWS games, including three in the title game.

"They were bigger than the other kids; they were monsters," Reynolds said. "They had people talking about changing the dimensions of the field, moving the fences back."

The team still has a full calendar of public appearances, and the 12- and 13-year-old boys have become role models for corporate employees.

They are scheduled to meet with IBM conventioneers from Japan when they come to Hawaii this winter, said Debbie Aliviado, wife of manager Layton Aliviado.

The players also recently met former big-league pitcher Tommy John, who was in Hawaii for a visit.

ASSOCIATED PRESS Memea was surrounded by his teammates shortly after hitting the game-winning home run in the Little League World Series championship game on Aug. 28.

And lots of Hawaii residents are still showing their appreciation. A woman knitted blankets for every team member and presented them as Christmas gifts. Debbie Aliviado said the woman refused to be acknowledged for the gifts.

Reynolds said the boys were tough on the field but humble off of it.

"They brought the charisma and tradition of Hawaii to Williamsport," said Reynolds, who played minor-league baseball in Hawaii and whose brother, Don, played for the Hawaii Islanders. "I think Hawaii should be proud of how they represented Ewa Beach and the entire state."

If nothing else, the Little League champions from Hawaii showed the world there are great youth baseball players in the 50th State.

And some of this team's toughest competition came from here: The Cal Ripken World Series champions were also from Hawaii, and won one of the two games it played against the Ewa Beach squad that went on to the championship at Williamsport.

Through the end of the year, the Star-Bulletin will recognize 10 who changed Hawaii this year. Some were controversial, others shunned the spotlight. But all made a difference.