In 2007, increased awareness of real baseball being played here in Kona brought guys to Simmons Field in record numbers. The free-agent draft was so rich that it was sufficient for the league to say, "Here we grow again". The result was that the team called the "Earthquakes" was formed to join the KonaBaseball.com league as an expansion team.
The initial question became one of whether a bunch of free agents could form a team in such short a fashion and immediately be competitive. As things turned out, it was a mistake to dismiss this group of misfits, even in its inaugural season. The Angels learned that painful lesson when the Earthquakes shook the heavens in the 2007 playoffs, sending the Angels to harp city. Since that day, the Earthquakes have become known as the "spoilers".
During the 2007-2008 off season, team manager Jeff Bailey moved off island. Fortunately there was another Jeff to take over. With Jeff Barbas at the helm, the EQs moved forward. Economic times being hard, their initial partial sponsor closed its doors in Kona, but these guys didn't seem to give a hoot. They found new sponsorship from Affordable Business Services, and the future continued to look bright.
2008 was a difficult season for the Earthquakes, often making a valiant effort that fell short. Finishing 1-11 and at the bottom of the standings, the players kept their spirit, viewing that situation as having the strongest team in the league, a team that carried the rest of the teams on its shoulders.
In 2009, the Earthquakes tripled their productivity during the regular season (winning thrice), but still finished in the basement. In the playoffs however, the Earthquakes once again broke the hearts of other another wanna-be team. In the Makai division wildcard game, they knocked off the Canefire. Their off-the-field successes included establishing a sponsor relationship with Kona Brewing Company.
Looking ahead to 2010, team manager Jeff Barbas (new father of twin boys - recruits for the 2024 season) anticipates expanding Bill McCracken's involvement in team operations. McCracken's fill-in role during the 2009 season earned him the KonaBaseball.com League's Coach-of-the-Year award.
Other award-winners returning for 2010 include Hopu Ahonima-Blanco, the league's 2009 Rookie-of-the-Year. Also the Earthquakes' team MVPs Phil Prisby (2008) and Steve Furchner (2009) are expected to play again in 2010. The Earthquakes seem to have their business matters in order, and their player-development efforts may be just about to pay dividends. They could be just a player or two away from being a formidable opponent within the KonaBaseball.com league.
The team thanks these businesses for partial team sponsorship:
Affordable Business Services
Hawaii Grower Products
Island Tech Office Equipment, Inc.
Kokonuts Bar & Grill
Earthquakes' 2010 Roster:
00 - Joshua Carlucci
1 - Jason Hurst
4 - Pono Kadooka
5 - Phil Prisby Team Most Valuable Player - 2008
6 - Steve Furchner Team Most Valuable Player - 2009
7 - Ronnie Walzer
8 - Bill McCracken - Coach KonaBaseball.com League Coach Of The Year - 2009
8 - Nate Figueroa
12 - John Marshall
20 - Jeffrey Barbas - Manager
21 - Bobby Cherry
23 - Vaugh (Nicholas) Reum
25 - Tyler Roy
28 - Greg Okumura
