Managers' Winter Meetings

At the end of last season, despite the general economic slowdown of 2008, it appeared as though a 7-team league would again be scheduled for 2009. However, citing economic problems, both J. R. Mori of the Crush and Doug Pattengill of the Marlins announced that they were not in positions to renew their team licenses.

In addition, there was uncertainty as to who would take over the helm of the Angels' team. A perennial tossing of the "hot potato" resulted in nobody surfacing as skipper for the 2009 season. As such, rumors began spreading around Kailua-Kona town (via the coconut wireless) that one of the original teams in the KonaBaseball.com league might, unbelievably, be disbanded. A feeding frenzy of free agents seemed imminent.

Under league rules, at each season's end, all KonaBaseball.com players become free agents. Managers can begin talking to players about the next year's season, but may not begin "signing" anyone up any earlier than January 1st. This annual, clearing-of-the-slate keeps the league fresh and competitive. It also fosters friendships across team lines throughout the league.

Returning players are always cautioned that some manager might just hand them a KonaBaseball.com registration form shortly after toasting in the New Year. Upon making such a written commitment, the player is "off limits" to other managers for the season. Subsequent inter-team transfers of players require both managers' approval.

As the 2008-2009 off-season progressed, the concern among the four managers (each of whom had made his team's financial commitment) suddenly became one of too many players and not enough teams, especially if the Angels could not resolve their management problems. Proposals were made to form a league-sponsored team consisting of free agents taken from a pool of players. The scenario called for each team to keep 15 protected players.

League management expressed concerns over forced trades, a contradiction of league principles that are designed to encourage teams to be formed as a result of natural friendships ... thus the annual free-agency rule. Also heretofore, the league has been comprised of independently-owned teams, each operating its business activities with its players and sponsors privately.

Over the years, the league had varied in size from five to eight teams. Accordingly, league Umpire-in-Chief Jim Donovan had developed a variety of workable schedules, including 2-divisional play for both a 6-team league (as was used in 2006) and an 8-team league (as was used in 2007). A 7-team schedule has been the norm. For 2009, it was feared that a milk toast, 4-team schedule might need to be created.

Fortunately, spring fever hit the air just in time. Oscar Delgado announced that he had assumed the role of manager for the Angels, and a squad of former Mariner veterans were assembling an "old guys-and-young guys" team comprised of who knows what - from scruffs to diamonds in the ruff?

Only a fortnight prior to the start of the season, uncertainy seemed to abound. The modest turnout of new players on April 19th did not justify the formation a new, league-sponsored team. Accordingly, free agent Bailey Pattengill, earmarked to be the on-field manager of the proposed team, and his brother Holden promptly signed up with Nick Hill, manager of the Black Sox.

Talk of the return of the Angels, coupled with the formation of a new team from Kohala, caused the remaining free agents quickly claim their loyalties. Suddenly, there seemed to be no need for a formal draft to continue. The top draft pick, beloning to the Earthquakes, was satisfied by the selection of former Concordia University player and Internet registrant Josh Bourelle, the first time in league history that the top pick was made sight-unseen.

The remaining free agents gravitated to other teams, three players electing to bolster the new Kohala team. Former Mariner/Angel catcher Mike Medina was the most notable free agent to declare his intention to join Kohala. At age 44, the ex-college player still plays the game with energy and skill, versitile as a third baseman as well.

Joining him in declaring for Kohala was another seasoned veteran Guy Newberry (also a former Mariner) and new-to-the league, youth-player Devin Chong. The latter entrant looks forward to playing with his fellow up-and-coming peers from Kohala, he himself destined to oppose those same cronies in high school action over the next couple of years.

Even though the full Kohala roster is still a mystery, the team is beginning to look like last season's Marlins, chocked full of father-son, uncle-nephew relationships. Few could argue against that formula as being one that fosters multigenrational baseball and helps to perserve Americas' favorite past time.

So, despite a lot of off-season uncertainties, the 2009 season begins. KonaBaseball.com may have downsized to a 6-team league, but baseball is bigger than thie temporary downturn in our economy, isn't it? Well, at least for now, men's hardball continues here on the Big Island of Hawaii, each Sunday in Kailua-Kona. Let's play ball.

Tobe or not to be - turns out to be earthshaking for a bunch of B.S.

That Black Sox bunch surely seems to have a nice addition to its team on the mound this year - a young fastballer by the name of Tobe. On Sunday morning it was Tobe Kailimai in his Kona Baseball.com league debut, mowing down a solidly fortified Earthquakes team to record the unassisted win.

Tobe's pitching was close to perfect (except one walk) through two outs in the fourth inning when the Earthquakes put together back-to-back base hits: Scott Krueger getting things started, then scoring on Josh Carlucci's RBI single. From there however, the neophite retired the side in order in each of the remaining 5th, 6th and 7th innings, going the distance in the game, fanning a dozen EQs in the process.

For the Earthquakes, their off-season find: Hopu Ahonima-Blanco was no slouch on the mound, either. Through three innings, he held the Black Sox scoreless, and opening-day's first game looked to be a defensive, pitchers' duel.

With one out in the fourth, a pair of walks came back to haunt the Earthquakes when Bronson Arenue broke the ice. Holden Pattengill followed suit, plating what was to eventually be the winning run, scoring as a result of his own heads-up base running. Pono Gacayan then scored on Sam Hori's double, and the pitchers' duel was officially over. By the end of the next inning, it was clear that Hopu's pitch count had exceeded his arm's limit.

Coach Jeff Barbas called his own number for relief pitching, apparently electing to preserve the arms of his bullpen: C.J. Hanna and Phil Prisby for another day. Reliever Barbas walked five Black Sox batters including Atlee Riddle, who later scored on a wild pitch. The finishing touches (runs #7 and #8), were made by Holden Pattengill and Pono Gacayan, the only players who crossed home twice in the contest.

In retrospect, the variance in the final score of Black Sox - 8, Earthquakes - 1 seems to exceed the difference in the overall play of the game. Despite the valient effort by the Earthquakes, the record books are the record books.

Once again, Mountain Thunder appears to be the goods in 2009, looking more cohesive than any other team in the league. With strength at every defensive position, depth in pitching, and a powerful offensive lineup, coach Michael Sofranko is in pursuit of his team's third consecutive league title. Despite some injuries, things seem to be starting off right in 2009, the reigning premiers notching a 6-3 victory over the Dodgers Sunday afternoon.

Top scorer in the game was the Thunder's James Juarez who went 2-for-2 with a pair of singles, scoring both times, and who also stole a base. Offensive credit also goes to his teammate Shadow Diessner for driving in three runs with timely hits in the third and fifth innings.

Ian Glass, last year's top pitcher in the league (undefeated at 4-0), and a trio of relievers were able to scatter a handful of Dodger base hits, keeping the underdogs looking at the heels of the Thunder all afternoon. Jon Vitale was in the right place at the right time, earning a save as the pitcher of effort, despite having to toss only five pitches (to retire the side in the fifth inning) in his mound appearance.

After watching racehorse "Mine That Bird" win the Kentucky Derby on Saturday, Dodgers' manager Ray Uribes anticipated an upset in Sunday afternoon's game, but it was simply not to be. Nevertheless, quality play by Dodgers' Joe Kern (last season's rookie of the year), Drew Camacho (who blistered the ball twice in this game) and Keegan Lerma (effective on the mound, despite taking the loss), give renewed hope to the Waikoloa-based Dodgers.

Mauka Division:                    
                      W   L  G/B  
Black Sox ..........  1   0   -   
Mountain Thunder ...  1   0   -   
Angels .............  0   0  0.5  

Makai Division:                        
                      W   L  G/B  
Kohala .............  0   0   - 
Dodgers ............  0   1  0.5  
Earthquakes ........  0   1  0.5  

Dodgers stave off that pesky bunch from Kohala, 10-6

Los Angeles Dodgers fans may be lamenting the 50-game suspension of Manny Ramirez, but Dodger uniform #99 was swinging a hefty stick Sunday morning in Kona. No it wasn't Manny ... it was KonaBaseball.com Dodger manager Ray Uribes wearing that same numbered jersey, smacking a pair of solid singles up the middle in his first two at-bats. However, later in the game with the bases loaded, the "Manny" factor ran out, Uribes swinging for the fence, only to discover the strike-three pitch to be securely lodged in the opposing catcher's mitt. Still, it was not too bad an early-season appearance for a guy whose age is half that of the number displayed on his back.

A trio of pitchers: starter Aaron Murphy (picking up the win), Keefe Lerma and brother Keegan Lerma (credited with the save) spread the mound duties around. Top scorers for the Dodgers were the reliable Drew Camacho and the sometimes-hot, sometimes-cold Mike West, each crossing the plate three times.

On the other side of the diamond, it was an admirable effort for a team so recently orgainized. The crowd of teenagers, teamed up with a handfull of seasoned veterans, were impressive as they mounted rallies in the third and fifth innings to keep the game within reach at all times. Former Mariner/Angel catcher Mike Medina provided defensive leadership on the field.

After a topsy-turvy off season, when people began questioning the very survival of the Angels as a team, manager Oscar Delgado brought a highly cohesive group of players to the field Sunday afternoon, the few pukas in the lineup now suddenly filled with outstanding selections of ex-Mariners and ex-Crushers. For example, J.R. Mori is now sporting a halo, filling a void at third base. In addition to his defensive skills (as both a utility player and pitcher), on Sunday afternoon Mori eclipsed the field offensively, scoring the winning run and adding an insurance tally later in the game.

Perhaps of even greater impact this season is the recently-announced addition of Tanner Benbow, an Angels' acquisition that provides a youthful arm behind home plate. This young man also brings a glove that can really handle fastballs, fastballs like his new teammate Jorge Perez has been throwing for years in this league.

And once again on this particular day, it was Perez, deliberate and rhythmic in his delivery, quietly achieving what appeared to be a shutout, right up to the finish. However, down to their last out, the Black Sox finally broke through to thwart the shutout when Bailey Pattengill found paydirt on losing pitcher Royden Leong's single.

Early in the game, Perez's Angel teammates had spotted him a one-run lead, but it hardly seemed to be enough. As the game unfolded, both baseball squads delivered crisp defensive play, and base hits were scarce for everyone. Black Sox reliever Cameron Kawai was equal to the task himself, at least through the middle innings.

Unfortunately for the Black Sox, in the end their defense was good, but not good enough. And their offense was not up to its potential, again not good enough on this day against a team like the Angels.

Mauka Division:                    
                      W   L  G/B  
Mountain Thunder ...  1   0   -   
Angels .............  1   0   - 
Black Sox ..........  1   1  0.5   

Makai Division:                        
                      W   L  G/B  
Dodgers ............  1   1   -  
Kohala .............  0   1  0.5 
Earthquakes ........  0   1  0.5  

Earthquakes rumble - Dodgers humbled, 6-4

After late-evening grad-nite partying by a host of Dodgers, the Earthquakes tasted victory for breakfast early Sunday morning. Winning pitcher Hopu Ahonima-Blanco brought on the juice, going the 7-inning distance. And although striking out only a modest pair, he was able to rely on his defensive teammates to help him scramble six base hits.

Upon watching their moundsman hurl four scoreless innings, the smell of a shutout was undoubtedly in the air for team manager Jeff Barbas and the other Earthquakes, everyone careful not to utter a word that might jinx matters. However, that superstition turned out to be unfounded on this day, for despite the silence, the shutout was over an inning later.

Nevertheless, the Earthquakes had already established a lead and managed to keep themselves ahead of the sluggish Dodgers for the rest of the game, posting a final score of 6-4. Phil Prisby, last year's team MVP, eclipsed all scorers, bringing home the bacon twice, one of which turned out to be the game winner.

Having the logistical problem of barely fielding nine players, there were not a lot of highlights for the boys in blue. Dodger pitcher Aaron Murphy was good, but simply did not have offensive nor defensive support in this game. By the seventh inning, his pitch count surpassed 100, and he was toast.

The excitement of the noon game exceeded everyone's expectations, the young Kohala team taking its starch right up to the collar of a well-seasoned adversary. It took extra innings and a come-from-behind effort for the Angels to finally prevail - with a walk-off, RBI base hit delivered by Martin Morones!

Starting pitchers Jorge Perez (Angels) and Ha`uoli Alcoran (Kohala) were both effective on the mound through seven innings (a complete, regulation KonaBaseball.com game) when 90+ pitch counts and the afternoon sun took their toll on each man. Extra-inning reliever Gerardo Ibarra recorded the 5-4 victory, while Kamalani Manantan found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time, tagged with the loss.

Here is how it happened. Devin Chong lead off the game with a solid base hit and promptly stole second. He advanced to third base on Mike Oshita's infield grounder, then scored on Kamalani Manantan's sacrifice fly to center field.

The early jitters settled, Perez proceded to dominate the Kohala batters through the fourth inning, striking out six in the process. However, equal dominance was being displayed across the diamond as well. Ha`uoli Alcoran struck out seven of the first nine Angels he faced, and retired the other pair too. He had a perfect three-inning start!

Not to be denied, the veteran Angels posted scores in the fourth and fifth, and it seemed as though order had at last been restored. Taking a slender lead into the last inning, the Angels began packing up their equipment and starting to think about which toppings to order on their pizza.

But someone forgot to tell Kohala that the game was over! For in the visitors' half of the seventh, that same top-of-the-order trio, Devin Chong, Mike Oshita and Kamalani Manantan combined to turn the tables on their more-seasoned adversaries.

Accordingly, the Angels found themselves in the bottom of the seventh inning, down a run. But that is exactly the type of a situation that sparks a squad of veterans like the Angels. Moments later, Jesse Guzman, Jose Luis Ibarra and his brother Gerardo put consecutive base hits together to tie the game and send it into extra innings.

Momentum having shifed, the Kohala batters were mowed down, 1-2-3, in the eighth. Then, in the bottom half of that same inning, the hero turned out to be Martin Morones who punched a base hit through the drawn-in defense to literally win the game for the Angels and to figuratively take Kohala to the cleaners.

The Black Sox arrived early (at least most of the players did) ready to take on the reigning champs. And ready the Black Sox certainly were! By game's end, team regulars Ryan Hughes, Sam Hori, Bailey Pattengill, Shiloh Chenoweth and Atlee Riddle had each scored multiple runs in what turned out to be a slugfest for the Sox, 14-4. The triumph now hoists them into second place in the Mauka Division standings, Cameron Kawai picking up the win.

And what about the mighty Mountain Thunder? What about the team that cannardly do anything wrong these days? Well, the answer is that the kings of clubs were far from being the jacks of diamonds on this particular afternoon. A team plagued by injuries, Thunder manager Mike Sofranko wore a poker face all game, uncertain of which card to play, whether to draw, hold 'em or fold 'em. In the end, the Thunder folded 'em, and Jon Vitale was charged with the loss.

J. Lidgett produced half of the scoring for the Thunder ... what a stud! But is was not enough. Narrowly escaping the 10-run mercy rule, the Thunder limped off the field at the end of the game. Victory simply wasn't in the cards for them on this day.

Mauka Division:                    
                      W   L  G/B  
Angels .............  2   0   - 
Black Sox ..........  2   1  0.5   
Mountain Thunder ...  1   1   1   

Makai Division:                        
                      W   L  G/B  
Earthquakes ........  1   1   -  
Dodgers ............  1   2  0.5  
Kohala .............  0   2   1 

Thunder overshadows Kohala, 16-1

Mountain Thunder veteran Shadow Diessner, a utility player who is called upon from time to time as a reliever, was assigned the role of starting pitcher in the Sunday morning game. The lanky righthander began a bit shaky, walking the first two Kohala batters. One of them (Trae Alcoran) came around to score the sole run for his team.

From that point forward, the Shadow kept everyone in the dark, tossing perfect 1-2-3 innings for the rest of the contest, effectively pitching a no-hitter. For Mountain Thunder, the victory keeps them from the throws of a losing streak. Top offensive play was provided by Hondo De La Cruz and, as is often the case, J. Lidgett.

For coach Don Aiona and the Kohala team, spirits remain high, knowing that they are building a team for the future. And, despite Sunday morning's loss, they are not afraid of anyone's shadow.

Through three innings, it appeared as though the Earthquakes were about to hand the lofty Angels their first defeat in season 2009. Phil Prisby looked good on the mound for the Earthquakes, and his teammates had provided him a slim lead. Could it be enough against a team as powerful as the Angels?

In the opposing dugout, there was only modest uneasiness. The Angels players were confident that fastballer Salomon Vasquez could withstand the afternoon sun to outlast most others. On the other hand, the Angels had been hapless against Prisby, at least the first time through the batting order. And everyone knows that you cannot win games unless your team scores runs.

The anticipated turn of events began in the fourth inning when the Angels' bats got hot. Replacement pitcher C.J. Hanna stayed in the game just long enough to throw a few wild pitches and post an "L" on his 2009 pitching chart. The fifth inning was even worse - a six run nightmare for the Earthquakes as the wheels fell off the proverbial wagon, and the Angels put the game out of reach.

For the Angels, Salomon showed that he was the "solo man" on the mound at the end of the contest, standing up to the springtime wind on this Kona afternoon to record the win. Offensive support came from a host of players in the eventual 13-3 rout. However, none compared to the standout performance by Jesse Guzman, accounting for four runs offensively and providing sensational defensive play at third base.

Mauka Division:                    
                      W   L  G/B  
Angels .............  3   0   - 
Black Sox ..........  2   1   1   
Mountain Thunder ...  2   1   1   

Makai Division:                        
                      W   L  G/B  
Earthquakes ........  1   2   -  
Dodgers ............  1   2   -  
Kohala .............  0   3   1 

Off-the-diamond news

Dodgers upset the champs, 7-6

It took a full nine innings for the Dodgers to finally prevail over Mountain Thunder in a Sunday morning thriller. The lead changed hands several times in the game, the final flip occurring in the bottom of the ninth.

Keegan Lerma escaped with the win, even though the curve-balling lefty gave up three bases on hit batsmen, hurling pitches that failed to break. Under league rules, one more such errant pitch would have forced his removal from the mound. For the Thunder, Shadow Diessner took the loss.

Despite being out of form lately, the champions seemed to be in the control of the underdogs for much of the game. The Dodgers kept pace throughout, but generally found themselves chasing their opponent's heels through most of the contest.

Starting right, the Thunder posted a run in the top of the first inning, only to give a run back to the Dodgers in the home half of the frame. Round two was a twin of the first, the score again knotted at inning's end.

The champs continued the one-run per at-bat pace of the game, but this time the Dodgers failed to answer. The 3-2 Thunder lead held up until the bottom of the fifth when two "Evans" made things even, then more than even. Dodger hitters Evan Moniz and Evan Morris both plated, giving the Dodgers the lead and causing the bench to erupt in celebration.

The Dodgers maintined that narrow margin through the sixth inning. All they needed to do was get three outs in the seventh, and the game would be over. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, the players on the red side of the diamond had other ideas. The champs tied the game in the top seventh inning, sending the game into extra innings.

The Thunder proceeded to score two runs in the ninth, and it appeared as though the Dodgers' bubble had been burst. "Not so", said the men clad in blue. In the bottom of the seventh, Dodgers Ryan Landis and Mike West both scored, the game now tied thanks to Keegan Lerma 's timely double. Moments later, the knock out punch was deliverd when Joe Kern lined a base hit past the drawn-in Thunder defense.

The walk-off victory hoisted the Dodgers into top spot in the Makai division and sent the Thunder deeper into the basement of the Mauka division.

Without a doubt, the play of the game was Aaron Murphy's all-star catch of a sinking line drive in the fourth inning. Where were the cameras?

The scrappy Kohala Canefire team outplayed the veteran Black Sox all afternoon, except for fifth inning, and that the fifth inning spelled d-e-m-i-s-e for north shore team.

The Black Sox started by establishing a modest lead over the youth-oriented Canefire, and everything seemed to be normal. Sox' starting pitcher Holden Pattengill was effective, at least through the first two innings. But the third inning proved to be the young pitcher's nemesis.

In that highly-productive Canefire third inning, the Kohala team posted five runs, plating Danny Caravalho, Issac Sproat, Ho`okele Aiona, Kamalani Manantan and Jeremiah Kanehailua, to take a commanding lead. Unfortunately for Kohala, its 8-2 lead did not hold up. The aforementioned fifth inning proved to be the Canefire's undoing, the Black Sox eventually capturing the victory over Kohala, 11-8.

For the Black Sox, just about everyone touched home plate, multiple crossings recorded by Sam Hori, Chris Ishiki, and John Brumbaugh. On the mound, it was Tobe Kailimai over Kamalani Manantan.

Mauka Division:                    
                      W   L  G/B  
Angels .............  4   0   - 
Black Sox ..........  4   1  0.5   
Mountain Thunder ...  2   3  2.5   

Makai Division:                        
                      W   L  G/B  
Dodgers ............  2   3   -  
Earthquakes ........  1   3  0.5  
Kohala .............  1   4   1 

Earthquakes give Thunder a run for their money

The underdog Earthquakes wasted little time Sunday morning, cracking things open with a pair of runs by Tyler Roy and C.J. Hanna. For the first time in recent memory, Thunder ace Ian Glass yielded multiple hits in back-to-back innings, and for the first time in a long time, he was in trouble.

By contrast, opposing pitcher Jeff Barbas was poised, unscathed in the first two innings, and at the end of the third, enjoyed a 3-2 lead. Wisely, Barbas had stayed within himself, kept his pitches in the strike zone, and relied upon his team's defense. The player/manager's strategy was to start with slow pitches, then turn things over to fastballer Hopu Ahonima-Blanco in the late innings. And that strategy almost worked.

Midway through the game, fans began to wonder if these two teams had exchanged uniforms. Afterall, nobody had seen green over red since the Christmas decorations had been put back into the attic. Could the Earthquakes beat the highly favored Thunder? Would a pig suddenly fly by Simmons Field?

Well the answers to such questions were only an inning or two away. For in the bottom of the fifth, Mountain Thunder finally woke up, smelled the coffee, and took charge of the game. They scored three runs in that stanza to take the lead, then added a pair of insurance tallies in the sixth. A modest rally by the 'quakes in the seventh inning tightened matters, but it simply wasn't enough.

Top scorers in the 7-4 Thunder victory were J. Lidgett and Mike Sofrako. Reliever Jon Vitale earned the save, preserving the victory for Ian Glass.

After a somewhat rocky start this season, the Dodgers improved to 500 ball Sunday afternoon with a shocking win at the expense of the heretofore undefeated Angels. Both starting pitchers were good, Jesse Guzman for the Angels and Keefe Lerma for the Dodgers, and a pitchers' duel seemed imminent. However, the Dodgers bats suddenly came to life, plating thrice on a pair of occasoins (that's 6 ... for the mathematically challenged).

Undaunted, the Angels began whittling away at their opponents' lead, eventually tying the score in the top of the seventh. As extra innings ensued, the momentum had shifted to the halos. Reminiscent of the morning game, everyone began to return from the twilight zone ... but not for long.

When it comes to extra inning games, the Dodgers have had more than their fair share this season, now three in a row. That experience came in handy on this day. For in the bottom of the ninth, Mike West lead off with a solid single. The next batter Evan Morris grounded to the shortstop who flipped the ball to the second baseman to retire West, but the fleet-footed Morris beat the throw to first base, upsetting the would-be double play.

That split-second play turned out to be the difference in the game. Thanks to heads-up baserunning, Morris advanced to second base, then stole third when the Angels lost focus, leaving the bag unattended. Finally, with the infield drawn in, Aaron Murphy delivered the game winning base hit. The 7-6 walk-off win was the second consecutive finish for the suddenly-hot Dodgers.

Mauka Division:                    
                      W   L  G/B  
Angels .............  4   1   - 
Black Sox ..........  4   1   -
Mountain Thunder ...  3   3  1.5   

Makai Division:                        
                      W   L  G/B  
Dodgers ............  3   3   -  
Kohala Canefire ....  1   4  1.5 
Earthquakes ........  1   4  1.5  

Kohala steals home in walk-off victory, 9-8

Forget the first inning. It took over an hour. The Kohala Canefire couldn't get any Earthquakes out and neither could their counterparts in the bottom of the frame. With a 6-5 lead, even the youngest of Canefire players knew that this sort of game simply could not continue.

Fortunately, things changed. The game turned out to be an exciting contest, one that even included a bench-clearing incident. Winning pitcher Michael Oshita collided with Earthquakes' catcher Tyler Roy in the fourth inning, an out that returned momentum to the Earthquakes. But in the end, the Canefire had enough spark, coupled with heads-up base running, to capture the victory, albeit by only the slimmest of margins.

In that exciting fourth inning, Trae Alcorn smacked a bases-loaded double, plating two runners Hauoli Alcoran and Tim Holschuh, the latter-mentioned player platooning as pinch runner for Danny Carvalho who had singled. However, when Oshita ignored his third base coach's signs, he was dead meat at the plate in his attempted to tie the game.

The hard baseball displayed by both players ignited the benches, but everyone mantained his composure. Fortunately, no fights broke out and nobody was ejected. While dangerous football-like moves are not tolerated by the league, the imminent presence of the arriving ball in the base path often puts both athletes at risk of injury.

Runners are encouraged to slide or avoid contact, and catchers are reminded not to block the basepath without the ball. Fortunately on this day, no one was injured. And afterall, this is real baseball, not softball, nor any sort of little boys' league, is it?

Top producers for the Earthquakes were C.J. Hanna and Phil Prisby. It had to be a heart breaker for losing pitcher Hopu Ahonima-Blanco whose errant pitch allowed that pesky Michael Oshita to steal home with a thrilling walk-off game winner.

The Black Sox began by knocking the socks off Thunder starter Carl Pires who had no fires, yielding six runs in only two and two-thirds innings. Reliever Shadow Diessner was the eventual winner, tagged only for a pair of runs in the seventh during a last-ditch Black Sox effort, one that fell short in the end.

Losing pitcher Cameron Kawai undoubtedly laments the meatball that he delivered to Andrew Emsley, a pitch that resulted in a double that turned out to be the game-winning hit.

Like the morning game, this one also had a collision at home plate that cleared both benches. Adding to the drama, it marked the final out of the game when Thunder catcher Jon Vitale put the tag on his counterpart Black Sox Bailey Pattengill, neither player being a neophite to the game of baseball.

When Angel pitcher Gerardo Ibarra began the game by giving up five singles in the first inning (two of which reslted in scores), everyone began to question if, by some stroke of fate, the Dodgers simply have the Angels' number this year. Afterall, the Dodgers had been the one and only team to beat the Angels this season, handing the halos their first loss only a week ago.

Well, Ibarra had the answer for them ... the number was zero. The rest of the game for the Dodgers yielded zero runs and zero hits, a pair of walks being the only flaws in the hurler's performance.

That resbit gave the Angel batters all they needed to play their style of baseball. By the end of the game, there were six diamond-shaped solid-black pencil marks speckled across the scoresheet. Leading the offensive charge was the pitcher's brother Jose Luis Ibarra and Mr. Double-Zero himself Oscar Delgado.

The losing pitcher was Keegan Lerma who was also good, but allowed four runs in four innings. In two innings of relief, Aaron Murphy maintined that same pace, allowing a run in each inning. The Angels ran out winners, 6-2.

Mauka Division:                    
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Bongo Ben’s Angels .................  5   1   - 
Dean Gilpan Assoc Black Sox ........  4   2   1
Mountain Thunder Coffee ............  4   3  1.5   

Makai Division:                        
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Uribes Designs Dodgers .............  3   4   -  
Big Isle Barbers Kohala Canefire ...  2   4  0.5 
Affordable Biz Serv Earthquakes ....  1   5  1.5  

Angels scoff at Earthquakes' tremor, 11-5

The Earthquakes undoubtedly outplayed their more lofty opponents Sunday in just about every inning, except the second inning. But all too often this season, so goes the saga of this team ... a team managed by Jeff Barbas. True to form, the Earthquakes started matters right, rumbling to a 4-2 lead. However, that elation was short lived as they watched their lead crumble, and it crumbled in a hurry. The Angels scored eight runs in the second second inning, plating everyone but Tanner Benbow. Maybe it was a language barrier or something.

The 'quakes spent the rest of the game trying to play catch up baseball, but without success. For the Angels, Salomon Vasques was called upon early to replace starter Ramon Soto, and he kept the Earthquakes from rattling the richter scale for most of the duration.

The highlight of the game and of the day was the spectacular, full-body-stretch, inning-ending catch made by Jose Luis Ibarra, robbing Ronnie Walzer of a base hit.

In perhaps one of the most lackluster games of the season, the play was as dismal as the overcast sky. Both teams were mediocre at best, the Sox fortunate to score the four runs that they did. By little contrast, the Dodgers looked flat-footed all afternoon. They posted only three runners on base, none of whom proceeded past second.

Instead of harshness aimed at the Dodgers, perhaps the credit goes to the Black Sox pitcher Kai Miller returning from college to once again don a KonaBaseball.com league uniform. Maybe it was the pitching skill that he developed as a child here in Kona, playing for the PONY team Onipa`a. Maybe it was the poise he developed while a star on the Kealakehe High School baseball team a few years ago. Maybe it was the recently-added muscle to his lanky frame that permits him to now throw pitches with greater velocity. Then again, maybe he just got lucky this weekend.

Mauka Division:                    
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Bongo Ben’s Angels .................  6   1   - 
Dean Gilpan Assoc Black Sox ........  5   2   1
Mountain Thunder Coffee ............  4   3   2   

Makai Division:                        
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Uribes Designs Dodgers .............  3   5   -  
Big Isle Barbers Kohala Canefire ...  2   4   - 
Affordable Biz Serv Earthquakes ....  1   6  1.5  

Canefire - Dodgers game rescheduled

Two weeks ago, the Kohala Canefire requested a modification to the schedule, calling for the July 5th morning game to be rescheduled. Citing family commitments affecting approximately one-third of his team, coach Donovan Aiona asked that the game be played on August 9, 2009 at 3:00 p.m. instead.

Dodgers' manager Ray Uribes was happy to accommodate the change, knowing that his Dodgers will face a tired Canefire team on August 9th. The Canefire plays the Angels earlier that same day.

In a Mauka division showdown, the Black Sox outperformed the Thunder, 6-4 on Sunday. The victory gives the Black Sox the tie-breaking edge over the champion Thunder team, a team.that is now mathematically unlikely to capture the division crown. None the less, the playoffs will still give Mountain Thunder the opportunity to three-peat as league champs. In order to do so however, they may have to win the tough Mauka division wildcard game.

The Black Sox began matters with a 2-1 lead at the end of the first inning, both pitchers starting a bit jittery. But the jitters quickly left Cameron Kawai who proceeded to strike out five Thunder batters by the end of the third. In the fourth inning however, Jon Vitale and Hondo De La Cruz tagged the fastballer, putting together back to back hits, each player then coming around to score.

The tables had been turned, Mountain Thunder suddenly taking a 3-2 lead into the fifth inning. Not to be denied, the Black Sox answered with three big runs of their own in the top of the fifth when Nate Hansen, Ryan Hughes and Cameron Kawai struck paydirt. Each team posted a run late in the game, but the decision had already been rendered.

Cameron Kawai earned the pitching victory, while Kai Miller picked up the save. For Moutain Thunder, Ian Glass, undefeated in 2008, was charged with the loss.

Mauka Division:                    
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Bongo Ben’s Angels .................  6   1   - 
Dean Gilpan Assoc Black Sox ........  6   2  0.5
Mountain Thunder Coffee ............  4   4  2.5   

Makai Division:                        
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Uribes Designs Dodgers .............  3   5   -  
Big Isle Barbers Kohala Canefire ...  2   4   - 
Affordable Biz Serv Earthquakes ....  1   6  1.5  

Angels get socked out of first place, 5-1

It was the first of two Saturdays on the schedule for the KonaBaseball.com league, and the Black Sox simply could not wait to get things going. Lead-off batter Cameron Kawai tripled to begin matters, then immediately scored on the first pitch to Sam Hori, who delivered a sacrifice fly.

Angels' ace Jorge Perez quieted matters, but the early damage had been done. And throughout most of the game, the lanky righthander was reasonably effective. But the Black Sox kept nibbling, posting scores in the third, fourth, and fifth innings, barely mounting what could be called a rally. However, their small-ball style was good enough on this day, especially with Kai Miller on the mound.

Miller, a youthful, yet veteran player, joined the Black Sox only a few weeks ago, and is unbeaten in three mound appearances, now having chalked up a pair of wins (including this one) and a save.

At game's end, it was the Black Sox' first taste of top rung on the laddar in the team's brief 4-year history. Coach Nick Hill knew however that his teams's perch might last only hours, especially in view of the fact that the Angels would be favored over the Thunder on Sunday morning.

It was an "8" on the ricther scale as the Earthquakes prevailed over the men of Mountain Thunder, a team with a roar that measured only "7" on this day. The green-clad Earthquakes furthered their reputation as the "spoilers", this time putting the finishing touches on the reigning champ Thunder's hopes for a first-place finish in the 2009 regular season.

At the end of the fourth inning, the game was deadlocked at seven runs apiece, and both starting pitchers, Dorian Rivera (for the Earthquakes) and J. Lidgett (for the Thunder) were done for the day. Hopu Ahonima-Blanco, the eventual winner, took over for the 'quakes, and it was Shadow Diessner getting the call for Mountain Thunder.

The climax was, quite fittingly, at game's end. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh. C.J. Hanna's walk-off base hit squeezed Josh Carlucci in from third base, sending the Earthquakes' bench into jubilation.

Mauka Division:                    
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Dean Gilpan Assoc Black Sox ........  7   2   -
Bongo Ben’s Angels .................  6   2  0.5 
Mountain Thunder Coffee ............  4   5   3   

Makai Division:                        
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Uribes Designs Dodgers .............  3   5   -  
Big Isle Barbers Kohala Canefire ...  2   4   - 
Affordable Biz Serv Earthquakes ....  2   6   1  

Angels don't have a prayer all weekend

Practically resigned to a last-place finish in the mighty Mauka division, the Mountain Thunder relaxed a bit Sunday morning, and its renewed attitute paid off. The Thunder was happy to hand its nemesis Angels team the second chapter of the 1-2 punch of the weekend begun by the Black Sox.

Each team plated its first three batters of the game, and the first inning seemed to go on forever, the score being 4-3 going into the second inning, an hour of gametime already having elapsed. From that point forward, however, it was a different game, each squad posting only one more tally.

Without a doubt, the hero of the game was Jon Vitale, winning pitcher and top scorer for his team. But he did not do it alone. Striking out only three Angels, he let the opposing batters put the ball into play, relying on his Mountain Thunder teammates defensively.

The Thunder's victory was a big psychological boost for the team, returning them to 500 ball for the 2009 season. And while they sit alone at the bottom of the Mauka division standings, they are confident that they can beat anyone in the league. Their salvation may be in the playoffs where the slate is wiped clean.

Dodger's centerfielder Drew Comacho was just about the only one who could figure out Canefire pitcher Kamalani Manantan all afternoon, spoiling the shutout early. But that was about the only Dodger highlight in this game. And while Dodger curveballer Kegan Lerma was pretty darn good (yielding only two runs), his team provided too little offensive support.

Royce Bumbard and Leo Sigroul (pinch running for Guy Newbury) scored back to back runs in the third inning for the Kohala Canefire, and that turned out to be the difference in the game.

With this win, Kohala displaces the Dodgers atop the Makai division. The two teams finish the regular season against one another, and perhaps first place will, once again, be on the line.

Mauka Division:                    
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Dean Gilpan Assoc Black Sox ........  7   2   -
Bongo Ben’s Angels .................  6   3   1 
Mountain Thunder Coffee ............  5   5  2.5  

Makai Division:                        
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Big Isle Barbers Kohala Canefire ...  3   4   - 
Uribes Designs Dodgers .............  3   6   1  
Affordable Biz Serv Earthquakes ....  2   6  1.5  

Earthquakes rumble over Canefire, 12 -4

The Canefire had its fill of Phil and the fastballs he threw, as Eartthquakes' starter Phil Prisby pitched his team to victory in the unpredictable Makai division of the league. Managed on this morning by Bill McCracken, the 'quakes looked good, despite spotty ranks among the regulars, Jeff Barbas (whose wife just gave birth to twins), C.J. Hanna (gone camping, so they say), John Marshall (maybe simply MIA) and Tyler Roy (perhaps awol). In their stead, guys like Josh Burelle and Scott Krueger took charge to keep the team ahead of its opponent all game.

For the Canefire, the third inning was it nemesis, six runs yielded in the stanza. The team's ace Kamalani Manantan was highly effective through two innings and Kohala manager Don Aiona wanted to save the arm for the Sunday game. Accordingly, he turned to Timo Holshuh and Leo Sigroul to shoulder the burden, and a burden it certainly was.

On the mound, it was Kai Miller of the Black Sox notchging a victory over Salomon Vasquez of the Angels, even though both teams' starters: Tobe Kailimai for the Sox and Jorge Perez for the Angels, did most of the work.

The Black Sox appeared to be the better team in this one, but one can never count his opponent out in the game of baseball. The Angels demonstrated that fact with a sixth-inning rally that gave them the lead. In the final inning however, the Black Sox plated Sam Hori to tie the game, then walked off with the victory when Atlee Riddle's sacrifice fly to deep right field allowed Kai Miller to easily trot home with the game winner.

The victory seals the deal for the Black Sox, assuring them the Mauka crown for 2009 and earning them a bye in the first round of the playoffs. Their record is tops in the league, and they have dominated in head-to-head play against both opponents in their division. Congratulations to team manager Nick Hill.

Mauka Division:                    
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Dean Gilpan Assoc Black Sox ........  8   2   -
Bongo Ben’s Angels .................  6   4   2 
Mountain Thunder Coffee ............  5   5   3  

Makai Division:                        
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Big Isle Barbers Kohala Canefire ...  3   5   - 
Uribes Designs Dodgers .............  3   6  0.5  
Affordable Biz Serv Earthquakes ....  3   6  0.5  

Hondo De La Cruz - almost a perfect game

This time, Kohala pitcher Kamalani Manantan did not go unscathed, taking the loss.

But the story was on the other side of the diamond where Hondo De La Cruz pitched a spectacular game, the only flaw coming on a pitch in the dirt that fooled everyone including Canefire batter Leo Sigroul who swung for his third strike, then ran to first base before a putout could be recorded.

Other than that one baserunner, the rest of the game went 1-2-3 for De La Cruz and his Mountain Thunder teammates. The suspense in this game grew as it became clear that a no-hitter was in sight. There was little suspense as to the the game's winner, for that matter was settled in the first inning.

Naturally, even the best of pitchers cannot win games without his team's offensive performance. and the credit goes up and down the bench, the name Korey Pulluaim surfacing as the top run producer. The final score was Thunder – 7, Kohala Canefire – 0.

Matters are already settled in the lofty Mauka division. In the wild and whooley Makai division however, it is anyone's guess as to who will snag the flag at the finish line. For the moment, the Dodgers sit in the catbird's seat.

After Saturday morning's victory over the Canefire, the Earthquakes were poised to "take two" on this second of two super weekends in the KonaBaseball.com league's schedule. It wasn't to be however, the 'quakes facing the same reality that took its toll on Kohala this weekend - not enough pitching depth for back-to-back games.

Keegan Lerma picked up the win in the 8-2 victory for the blues.

Mauka Division:                    
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Dean Gilpan Assoc Black Sox ........  8   2   -
Bongo Ben’s Angels .................  6   4   2 
Mountain Thunder Coffee ............  6   5  2.5  

Makai Division:                        
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Uribes Designs Dodgers .............  4   6    -  
Big Isle Barbers Kohala Canefire ...  3   6  0.5 
Affordable Biz Serv Earthquakes ....  3   7   1  

Dodgers one step from clinching Makai division, 5-2 over Earthquakes

Aaron Murphy forgot to bring his lucky charm to the baseball field Sunday morning. The starting pitcher for the Dodgers was wild from the get-go, walking the first two Earthquake batters Josh Burrelle and Pono Kadooka, both of whom came around to score. In fact, Murphy couldn't even get out of the first inning, handing the baseball to teammate Keegan Lerma, charged with putting out the fire.

And that is exactly what Lerma did. The southpaw proceeded to retire all but two opponents, shutting out the Earthquakes for the rest of the game. Offensively it was, once again Keegan Lerma eclipsing all scorers, other platings being made by Mike West, Aaron Murphy and Drew Comacho.

For the Dodgers, the 5-2 victory just about clinches top spot in the Makai division, which would earn them a bye in the first round of the playoffs. In that scenario, the Earthquakes would have to face the Canefire on wildcard Sunday, August 16th.

One remote chance remains for the Kohala Canefire. Faced with a double-header on the last day of the season, the Canefire must beat the Angels at nine o'clock, then displace the Dodgers at three o'clock. Kohala coach Don Aiona intends to do exactly that.

The noon game turned out to be somewhat of a cakewalk for the Black Sox, a team that has stamped its authority on the league this year (at least for the regular season).

The pitching duties were split between starter Tobe Kailimai and reliever Kai Miller, both fastballers being effective. Those same two pitchers dominated offensively as well, each producing multiple runs. To look at the scorecard, it appears as though these two guys defeated their opponents single-handedly.

For the Kohala Canefire, sparks were made by Don Aiona and Royce Bumbard. All in all, it was too little against a powerhouse of a baseball team like the Black Sox.

The final score of 15-9 would seem to indicate a lop-sided game. But this one was highly competitive, despite the eventual margin. Little was at stake in this contest, only home field advantage in the all-important wildcard game, an eliminator to be held on August 16, 2009. Entertaining to watch, the teams showed how evenly matched they are in this pairing.

The Angels grabbed an early 6-2 lead on a second-inning rally that chased Shadow Diessner from the mound, fellow Mountan Thunder pitcher Korey Pulluaim taking over. The tables were turned in the top of the third when the Thunder scored four runs of its own to knot the score at six runs apiece. Another four-run blow was leavied by the Thunder in the fifth inning, and the game was, in essence, over.

For the victorious Mountain Thunder, offensive kudos go to Jon Vitale, Cameron Smay, Larry Strozyk, and Andrew Emsley. And, despite the loss, Angels J.R. Mori and Jose Luis Ibarra each crossed home plate thrice in the contest.

The high quality of this game adds to the anticipation of the oh-so-important wildcard games scheduled for August 16th. On that day, the Mauka division showdown promises to be an absolute blockbuster.

Mauka Division:                    
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Dean Gilpan Assoc Black Sox ........  9   2   -
Mountain Thunder Coffee ............  7   5  2.5  
Bongo Ben’s Angels .................  6   5   3 

Makai Division:                        
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Uribes Designs Dodgers .............  5   6   -  
Big Isle Barbers Kohala Canefire ...  3   7  1.5 
Affordable Biz Serv Earthquakes ....  3   8   2  

Dodgers' prayers are answered by Angels' victory over Canefire

The Angels kept the Dodgers' manager Ray Uribes from biting his nails to the nub, the Angels succeeding in snuffing out the Canefire's slim hopes for a climb to the top of the Makai division standings on the last day of the regular season.

The final score was 14-5 in a game that could have belonged to the Canefire, if it had not been for the third inning. Unfortunately, for losing pitcher Kamalani Manantan and his Kohala teammates, the rules of baseball to not provide for a "mulligan". Even KonaBaseball.com league rules are not quite that flexible!

For the Angels, their 4-game losing streak ended thanks to offensive punch from Jose Luis Ibarra, J.R. Mori, Pedro Torres and Tanner Benbow. Knuckle-ball pitcher Jesse Guzman pocketed the victory.

Little was at stake for the Angels, but after a perfect 4-game start this season, momentum slipped through their fingers. And with the playoffs at hand, it was high time to change the tides once again.

The noon game started out to be a repeat of last Sunday's batting practice for the Sox, this time at the expense of the Earthquakes. Bailey Pattengill led the charge for the Black Sox who took a commanding six-zip lead in the first innng, and never looked back.

The 'quakes answered briefly with a pair of runs in the second inning, but winning pitcher Cameron Kawai had too much sizzle on his fastball all game and plenty of defensive support from both his infielders and outfielders.

After roughing up the Earthquakes' starter C.J. Hanna, the Sox appeared to be stymied by Phil Prisby, but the damage had already been done.

Relaxed and composed, the Dodgers stepped on the field Sunday afternoon knowing that the divisional crown was theirs, even though they had "backed" into the position by virtue of the Canefire's loss to the Angels earlier in the day. Accordingly, Dodger pride was on the line. Standing in its way was a "yes-we-can" attitude from a group of Kohala Canefire youngsters with plenty of youthful energy to match.

In the end, the Dodgers prevailed, but not without working for it. In their come-from-behind victory, credit Ryan Landis for providing the game winner. Teammate Keefe Lerma picked up the win, and Kohala's workhorse pitcher Timo Holschuh secured his position at the base of the statistical ladder among all pitchers in the league. Even that dubious honor however, could not remove the smile from his baseball-loving face.

Mauka Division:                    
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Dean Gilpan Assoc Black Sox ........ 10   2   -
Mountain Thunder Coffee ............  7   5   3  
Bongo Ben’s Angels .................  7   5   3 

Makai Division:                        
____________________________________  W   L  G/B  
Uribes Designs Dodgers .............  6   6   -  
Big Isle Barbers Kohala Canefire ...  3   9   3 
Affordable Biz Serv Earthquakes ....  3   9   3  

Angels sent to the heavens by the Thunder, 13-10

There was no meat in the sandwich, but enough bread at each end to satisfy the Thunder's appetite to advance to the Mauka divisional finals. Interestingly, the Thunder scored all of its runs in the first and in the last (seventh) inning. By contrast, the mountain men were retired in every other inning, producing only two baserunners throughout the middle of the game.

The Angels started with knuckleball specialist Gerardo Ibarra on the mound. Unfortuntely for the halos, his normal razzle-dazzle junk posed no mystery for the Mountain Thunder batters on this day. Six runs were quickly scored by the Thunder, and there was still only one out!

In hopes of providing some contrast, Angels' manager Oscar Delgado then turned to the team's fastball artist Jorge Perez. But Perez fared only a little bit better. Five runs later, the first inning finally ended, but only after the Angels' third pitcher J.R. Mori had been called upon to take charge on the mound.

That is exactly what Mori did, take charge - by yielding only one hit in the middle innings (two through five), a feat that allowed the Angels to crawl back into the game. On any other day, a pitching victory would have been a certainty for the performance of J.R. Mori, the quiet achiever and arguably the best player on the field in the 2009 Mauka wildcard game.

But enough rhetoric about the team that lost the game - let's concentrate on the winners. Hondo De La Cruz recorded the win for the Thunder, with Korey Pulluaim earning the save. And what can be said about the play of Cameron Smay? ... The Thunder advances to the divisional championship series of the playoffs.

A Canefire come-from-behind victory was halted by the Earthquakes Sunday afternoon, just in the nick of time. A comfortable early lead for the EQ's withered as the game progressed ... Canefire style. Tied at seven runs apiece going into the final inning, the Earthquakes had the last rumble however when they were able to plate Jeff Barbas with the game winner.

The Earthquakes have a history of springing to life in the playoffs, despite having never produced a regular-season record of much merit. However, the team's reputation as a spoiler keeps everyone on his toes during the playoffs, especially in elimination games. This year, the members of the Canefire team are the Earthquakes' first victims.

Devin Chong and Devereaux Aiona led the scoring for the Canefire in its 2009 swansong. Kudos also go out to Jeff Castillo for his timely double in the fifth inning.

For the victorious Earthquakes, winning pitcher Phil Prisby was in the right place at the right time to pick up the victory. Starter Steve Furchner and middle-reliever Hopu Ahonima-Blanco did most of the work on the mound for the Earthquakes, yet Prisby got credit for the win ... hardly seems fair. Then, Prisby walked off the field with a good-looking woman at his side ... hardly seems fair.

Also worthy of note on this day was the play of Vaughn Reum whose sharp glove, crisp throws and base-running skills were contributing factors in the advancement of the Earthquakes to the second round of the playoffs.

An Earthquake is Dodged, 5-2

Dodgers' ace Keegan Lerma was highly effective Sunday morning, going the distance to give his team the edge in the best of three series against the Earthquakes.

Phil Prisby took the loss for the Earthquakes.

The Dodgers won the game despite the fact that their offensive leader Drew Comacho struck out three times!

By the end of the second inning, it looked as though the reigning champion Mountain Thunder had the game won, pummelling the Black Sox starter Bailey Pattengill and reliever Cameron Kawai. However, rookie Tobe Kailimai saved the day for the Sox, settling matters and eventually prevailing over Shadow Diessner of the Thunder.

The fourth inning turned out to be the nemisis for the Thunder when the Black Sox mounted a four-run rally, sparked by the bottom of the lineup. Mountain Thunder rebounded with a seventh inning rally of its own, but it was too little, too late.

Looking back, the difference in the game may have come down to the outstanding contribution by Atlee Riddle who seemed to overcome the effects of a pound or two of cake that he added to his torso this year ... must be due to the good cooking of his new girlfriend.

Thunder roars its ugly head at Black Sox, 7-2

The game was ugly, not the caliber that one might expect near the end of the season, especially in view of the fact that the contenders are probably the most talented teams in the league. On Sunday morning, both squads barely fielded a full team, perhaps due to excess partying the evening before ... oh, those summer nights.

The Thunder, with its back against the wall, cracked things open with four runs produced by the top of the lineup, and there was still nobody out. The game was essentially over at that time, the Mountain Thunder announcing that there would be a final game in the Mauka Division playoffs next week.

For the victorious Mountain Thunder, Jon Vitale went 4-for-4 with a pair of scores and an equal number of RBI's. He also pocketed the win on the mound at the expense of Cameron Kawai.

The Dodgers punched their tickets to the league championship round, eliminating the Earthquakes Sunday afternoon.

Keefe Lerma picked up the win with older brother Keegan Lerma recording the save in a 1-2 punch that spelled doomsday for the 2009 Earthquakes.

While the scoring was an overall team effort, the decisive moment came when Ryan Landis connected for a 2-RBI base hit in the third inning that scored Carl Kimura with the game winner.

The Earthquakes definitely had their chances, however. They squandered a golden opportunity in the first inning when they loaded the bases with nobody out. With a chance to turn that momentum into a blowout, they came away with only one run. A similar rally slipped past in the sixth inning when three singles produced only one score.

Hopu Ahonima-Blanco took the loss for the Earthquakes. In relief, Steve Furchner was highly effective, keeping the game within reach for the 'quakes. But baseball games are won with runs scored, and the Earthquakes fell short in that department.

Thunder finally prevails over Black Sox in 13 innings, 7-5

Rarely have there been two teams so evenly matched ... in any league ... in any sport ... in any season. Sunday's rubber match in the best-of-three series between regular season Mauka division champion Black Sox and reigning league champion Mountain Thunder undoubtedly lived up to its promise to be a blockbuster. Perhaps it was the game of the year.

The Black Sox scored a pair of runs in the first inning when Nate Hansen and Cameron Kawai crossed home, and the team that finished atop the regular season standings appeared to have the game in control, a pitchers' duel between the Sox' Tobe Kailimai (the league's top mound ace in 2009) and the Thunder's Hondo De La Cruz (the only pitcher to throw a no-hitter this year).

In the fourth inning, the home-team Black Sox padded its lead with a third run, only to see the Thunder answer in the fifth inning with a three-run rally of its own, plating Larry Strozak, J. Lidgett and Jon Vitale.

Knotted at four, the game ramained tied until the sixth inning when the Black Sox reclaimed the lead. But that warm and fuzzy feeling was only temporary, Mountain Thunder sending the game into extra innings with an equalizer in the bottom of the seventh inning (a regulation game in the KonaBaseball.com league).

Each team denied the other through the next four innings. In the twelfth however, the Thunder grabbed a one-run lead. But in response, the Black Sox scored a run of its own. Then in the 13th inning, Mountain Thunder finally took charge with a two-run rally that knocked the wind out of the sails of the Black Sox.

In what has become typical bad-boy fashion of late, certain Black Sox players unfortunately displayed unsportsmanlike conduct at the end of the game, intentionally creating situations wherein they were ejected by the umpire, using inappropriate language, and making vulgar hand jestures ... even to the group of nuns that was in the crowd!

The victory sends the Mountain Thunder team to the league finals where it will face the Dodgers. Should the Thunder prevail in that series, it would be the first team to ever 3-peat as champions of the KonaBaseball.com adult hardball league. The Dodgers have a different idea however, anxious to hoist the league championship trophy themeselves. If so, it would be a first-time event ... at least the first time since they changed their name from the "Steelers".

Thunder blunder, a twelve to wonder

How did the Dodgers score 12 runs against Mountain Thunder Sunday morning? Of even greater wonder is why the Dodgers didn't score more ... perhaps 15-20? Apparently, the reigning champion Mountain Thunder team is lost without Andrew Emsley on the field.

For the crazy eight who showed, the effort was a rollercoaster of rallies followed by fizzles, eventually dropping the opening game of the final round to the Dodgers, 12-1. In fact, both teams left a ton of baserunners stranded on the bags. And on more than one occassion, just when it looked as though the Dodgers were about to really blow things open, they themselves fizzled.

Amazingly, the score was a mere 3-1 at the end of the fourth inning, and it was still anyone's game. But the fifth, sixth, and seventh innings were nightmares for Mountain Thunder, each Dodger base hit dropping where Andrew Emsley would probably have made the play, maybe every time!

The one highlight for the Thunder was first baseman Cameron Smay's amazing catch of a fade-away pop up along the right field line in the third inning. Fortunately, Smay succeeded in making the back-handed snag along that wavy, poorly-chalked first base line ... not leaving the fair/foul call to the umpire. Afterall, who wants to take that kind of chance? ... certainly nobody wearing black socks.

Keegan Lerma, the workhouse pitcher all season for the Dodgers, went the distance to secure the win. Shadow Diessner took the loss for the Thunder. Ryan Landis, Aaron Murphy and Evan Moniz were the top run producers for the victorious Dodgers, showing the Thunder that, without Andrew Emsley, the mountain men's days may be numbered (to 7 days and only 1 game).

For the Dodgers, the upset victory puts them in the catbird's seat of the league finals. Despite their Makai division crown, they finished a modest fourth overall in the regular season standings. Nevertheless, the Dodgers are suddenly poised to dethrone the Thunderous, back-to-back kings of diamond here in Kona, maybe as early as this Sunday.

On the other hand, the Mountain Thunder players were rumored to be passing the hat around to get a "ticket to ride" (isn't that an old Beatles record?) for Andrew Emsley to be at Simmons Field for next Sunday's game.

Mountain Thunder has rebounded, Dodgers are astounded

An 8-1 whitewashing of the Dodgers Sunday morning sends the league championship round of the playoffs to a grand finale, Mountain Thunder refusing to yield to the blues, at least for now.

Perhaps somewhat lackluster, the game was decided by the end of inning number two. The Dodgers never seemed in it, even though they plated their lead-off batter Drew Comacho in the first inning. After that, Mountain Thunder's starting pitcher Ian Glass maintained control over the Dodgers hitters for the rest of his six innings on the mound, making the most out of a reasonable budget of 85 pitches. Teammate Korey Pulluaim then came in to mop things up in the seventh. But throughout the contest, the Dodgers posed no threat.

As predicted by many, the presence of Andrew Emsley seemed to make the difference. Some think that the mile-wide-grinned prankster is merely a "lucky charm", but the scoresheet tells a different story, Emsley leading all scorers with three plate crossings. In addition, his crisp play at third base certainly tightened the infield for the Thunder this week.

By contrast, the Dodgers looked dishoveled in this game. Making matters worse, wholesale changes to its defensive structure made mid-game adding to the team's woes. The league championship finals hardly seems to be the place to start experimenting.

With so little doubt in this game's outcome, everyone seemed content to simply enjoy playing the game of baseball, hardly anybody's temper getting the best of him. Well, there was one ejection, but only because a player threw his batting equipment. What else could the ump do?

In the end, players from teams throuhout the league congregated in the parking lot, everybody content to return for another week of KonaBaseball.com hardball next Sunday in Kona.

Mountain Thunder pulls off the hat trick, claims 3rd consecutive title

The only team in league history to repeat, has now 3-peated, Mountain Thunder ending the Cindarella ride for a pesky Dodgers team Sunday, 6-5. Top scorer for the Thunder was Shadow Diessner, plating each time as courtesy runner for Cameron Smay, the slugger whose legs often refuse to cooperate with his powerful bat, would-be doubles ending up as singles. Interestingly, Diessner went 0-3 in the contest, tagging long fly balls on each at-bat, only to see each one swallowed up by a Dodger outfielder's glove.

And what can be said about the play of Andrew Emsley? ... the team's spark plug ... sometimes on the field ... at other times as the cheerleader in the dugout. He must have done some good in the dugout on Sunday, because his on-the-field statistics were less than stellar in this one - two groundouts and a wiff.

Fortunately, teammate James Juarez picked up the slack, driving in the game-winning run with a line-drive base hit in the fourth inning. If there were an award for championship series MVP, he would undoubtedly have been named. But there is no such award, and there isn't going to be any such award. So lets just forget about it. And there isn't any award for bench players who may have seen little action in a championship game, perhaps not even having a time at-bat. It hardly seems fair. These are the guys who contribute each week, all season long. It hardly seems fair. We all know the type. Then, at game's end, you see them walking away from the field with the cutest girlfriends on their arms. It hardly seems fair.

On the other side of the diamond, credit for effort belongs to the entire Dodgers team, a squad that remained in the game, despite the early lead that had been established by the Thunder. Down 5-1 at the end of the second inning, the Dodgers refused to give up.

Workhorse pitcher Keegan Lerma completely halted the Thunder's offensive attack mid-game, allowing absolutely nothing beyond inning #3. That gave his fellow Dodger teammates ample opportunity to make a comeback ... and a comeback they mounted. Unfortunately for the blues, that comeback fell one run short.

When Mountain Thunder starter (and eventual winning pitcher) Hondo De La Cruz fatigued in the fourth inning, Ian Glass was called upon. Glass was effective once through the order, but the Dodgers had his number after that. Korey Pulluaim came to the rescue in the sixth inning and finished the seventh to earn the save.

For team manager Michel Sofranko, the third championship in a row was particularly sweet. His talented but sometimes inconsistent 2009 team had its share of obstacles to overcome this year. After a stint on the basement floor of the mighty Mauka division (where the team sat for a fair amount of the regular season), Mountain Thunder finished strong. Although they were unable to catch the Black Sox for top spot, Mountain Thunder ended up as the second overall seed in the playoffs.

During the playoffs, the Thunder appeared arrogant on occassion, sometimes struggling to field a full team by game time. As such, the Thunder came close to being eliminated at several critical junctures: to the Angels in the wildcard game, to the Black Sox in the divisional finals, and to the Dodgers in the championship round.

It was no cakewalk!

End-of-season activities and presentation of awards

In the pitch-thru-tire event, an old tire is placed on top of a couple of cinder blocks placed on home plate. Each pitcher is given up to two warm-up tosses, then five pitches that count. One point is scored for hitting the tire (except on a bounce). A premium point is awarded for knocking the tire off the stacked blocks. A bulls-eye also results in a score of two points. The highest score is awarded for a ringer (wherein the ball lodges in the sidewall of the tire itself). This type of pitch merits a score of three points.

This year, it was Jeff Barbas taking the early lead, only to be surpassed by Shadow Diessner who dominated the second round.

In the long ball derby (KonaBaseball.com's answer to major league baseball's homerun derby), Jon Vitale dominated the first round. He poked eight long balls before finally recording his fifth out. In the second round however, Jon could only pop one baseball beyond the orange cones that provide the demarkation of what can be called a "long ball".

Much to everyone's surprise (including the winner himself), 50-year-old Jon Brumbaugh claimed the award. It was the first time that a grandfather ever claimed such an award, a further attestation to the power of multi-generational baseball.

While the end-of-season ceremonial cake was being eaten, league umpire-in-chief Jim Donovan handed out the awards to the victorious teams and to individual players. The following players were honored:

Named as the players' choice as the league's Most Valuable Player of 2009 was Cameron Kawai of the Black Sox.

The Top Pitcher trophy was awarded to Tobe Kailimai, also of the Black Sox.

The 2009 Rookie of the Year trophy was handed to Hopu Ahonima-Blanco of the Earthquakes.

A Coach of the Year trophy was presented to Bill McCracken of the Earthquakes.

A medal was awarded to the most valuable player of each team as voted by his teammates. The 2009 Team MVPs were named as follows:

... Black Sox – Nate Hansen

... Thunder – Hondo De La Cruz

... Angels – Martin Morones

... Dodgers – Drew Camacho

... Earthquakes – Steve Furchner

... Canefire – Tim Holschuh

Team trophies were awarded to the Black Sox, Mauka Division Champions, team manager Nick Hill accepting, and to the the Dodgers, Makai Division Champions, team manager Ray Uribes accepting.

The overall league championship trophy was awarded to Mountain Thunder, team manager Michael Sofranko accepting. Winner of the 2009 playoffs, the Thunder claimed its third championship in a row.

In the all-star game that followed, it was the Kings of Clubs over the Jacks of Diamonds, 5-4 with Todd Brinkman scoring the game-winner.

Pitchers - 2009

Tobe Kailimai, Black Sox ___________ 4-0 
Kai Miller, Black Sox ______________ 3-0 (1 save)
Gerardo Ibarra, Angels _____________ 3-0
Hondo De La Cruz, Thunder __________ 3-0 
Hauoli Alcoran, Kohala _____________ 1-0
Jesse Guzman, Angels _______________ 1-0
Jon Vitale, Thunder ________________ 3-1 (1 save)
Phil Prisby, Earthquakes ___________ 2-1
Keefe Lerma, Dodgers _______________ 3-2
Ian Glass, Thunder _________________ 3-2 
Korey Pulluaim, Thunder ____________ 0-0 (4 saves)
Keegan Lerma, Dodgers ______________ 5-5 (2 saves)
Salomon Vasquez, Angels ____________ 2-2 (1 save)
Cameron Kawai, Black Sox ___________ 4-3
Aaron Murphy, Dodgers ______________ 1-1
Mike Oshita, Kohala ________________ 1-1
Shadow Diessner, Thunder ___________ 3-4
Hopu Ahonima-Blanco, Earthquakes ___ 2-6 
Jorge Perez, Angels ________________ 1-3
Kamalani Manantan, Kohala __________ 1-4
Royden Leong, Black Sox ____________ 0-1
Josh Bourelle, Earthquakes _________ 0-1     
Jeff Barbas, Earthquakes ___________ 0-1         
C.J. Hanna, Earthquakes ____________ 0-2 
Timo Holschuh, Kohala ______________ 0-5