Waikiki BeachBoys: 2008 HWB Champs

Thanks to a clutch three-run home-run in the seventh inning from Buster Posey and two doubles from Marquez Smith, the Waikiki BeachBoys have claimed the 2008 Hawaii Winter Baseball Championship by defeating the West Oahu CaneFires 5-1.

The BeachBoys ended the year on a hot streak, winning the night before on a clutch home-run by Smith, defeating the Honolulu Sharks in the final regular season game.

Mitsuo Yoshikawa and Steven Richard combined for the win.  Yoshikawa went five innings, allowing four hits and walking two.  Richard pitched the final four innings and gave up one hit, striking out two.

It was an amazing game and an amazing season.  Props to everyone involved with Hawaii Winter Baseball for this great 2008 season.

For more info, check out Hawaii Winter Baseball.

Hawaii Winter Baseball: Week 06

flick by: JOAQUIN SIOPACK

We’re hitting the home stretch, literally, with this season of Hawaii Winter Baseball.  The season is winding down and the teams are getting fine tuned for one last push to the title game, which is this Sunday at Les Murakami Stadium in Manoa.

In action yesterday, The Sharks beat the BeachBoys 4-1 at Les Murakami Stadium and the CaneFires and the Honu played seven innings and, with the score 6-6, had the game called because of a pitching shortage.  The tie (I assume) prevented the CaneFires from clinching the West Division Title and a spot in the HWB title game.

The updated standings:

• West Oahu CaneFires: 16-14
  
• Waikiki BeachBoys: 17-15
• Honolulu Sharks: 16-15
• North Shore Honu: 13-18

As is customary, Monday is the off day for the league, with action resuming tomorrow.  There’s only four more regular season games left before the title game this Sunday, so the action is gonna be hot and heated between all four team.  Each of the teams still ahve a mathematical shot to make it into the title game, so anything could happen this week.  This week’s midweek series pits the CaneFires vs. the BeachBoys and the Sharks vs. the Honu.  The midweek series take place at Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu.

The final weekend series of the season has the BeachBoys vs. the Sharks at Les Murakami Stadium and the Honu vs the CaneFires at Hans L’Orange.  Don’t forget to bring along a radio (or Hele Wireless-equipped laptop) with you as ESPN 1420 will be broadcasting play-by-play for the CaneFires/BeachBoys on Tuesday night, Honu/BeachBoys on Wednesday night, and BeachBoys/Sharks on Friday night.

The big event this weekend is the HWB Title Game, which goes down this Sunday at 1PM at Les Murakami Stadium.  This is easily gonna be a great game, so no real promotion should be needed.  Last year’s title game was rained out, so this year, HWB is hoping for a better turnout.  My prediction? CaneFires over the Sharks to bring the HWB Title back to the west side and to Hans L’Orange Field.

Swing by either LMS or Hans L’Orange and catch a game of exciting Winter League Baseball.  Tickets are incredibly affordable and, fun for the whole family.  What better way to get away from it all than catching nine innings of exciting professional baseball?

That will do it for this week’s atypicalLIVING Hawaii Winter Baseball wrap-up.  Join us every Monday for the HWB Weekly Wrap-Up, as we bring you the week that was in Hawaii Winter Baseball.

For more info, ticket sales, a full schedule of games, and HWB merchandise, check out the Hawaii Winter Baseball Website.

Hawaii Winter Baseball: Week 05

 

flick by: JOAQUIN SIOPACK

It’s Monday morning and it’s time for atypicalLIVING’s weekly Hawaii Winter Baseball coverage.

We’re getting into the homestretch, as the Championship game is coming up in two weeks at Les Murakami Stadium.  The big news in HWB has been the resurgence of the Waikiki BeachBoys, who are currently on a tear, winning six straight at one point the past two weeks.  They’ve asserted themselves as the dominant team in the league.  The defending champs are also making some noise, as the Honu have pulled within a game of West Oahu in the standings.  It’s gonna be a frantic next two weeks as the scramble for the spot in the title game begins.

In action last night, the Honu beat the Sharks 3-1 and the BeachBoys edged the CaneFires 6-5 to pull into first place of the HWB East Division.

The updated standings:

• Waikiki BeachBoys: 15-12
• Honolulu Sharks: 14-13
• West Oahu CaneFires: 13-14
• North Shore Honu: 12-15

As is customary, Monday is the off day for the league, with action resuming tomorrow.  This week’s midweek series pits the CaneFires vs. the Sharks and the BeachBoys vs. the Honu.  The midweek series take place at Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu.

The weekend series has the BeachBoys vs. the Sharks at Les Murakami Stadium and the Honu vs the CaneFires at Hans L’Orange.  Don’t forget to bring along a radio (or Hele Wireless-equipped laptop) with you as ESPN 1420 will be broadcasting play-by-play for the Honu/Sharks games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

This week’s special events are sponsored by Bank of Hawaii.  Early comers to the BeachBoys/Sharks HWB East battle at LMS will receive a complimentary picnic blanket.  Another great reason to catch a game.

Swing by either LMS or Hans L’Orange and catch a game of exciting Winter League Baseball.  Tickets are incredibly affordable and, based on who you’re voting for tomorrow, you’re gonna need a distraction from all the noise.  What better way to get away from it all than catching nine innings of exciting professional baseball?

That will do it for this week’s atypicalLIVING Hawaii Winter Baseball wrap-up.  Join us every Monday for the HWB Weekly Wrap-Up, as we bring you the week that was in Hawaii Winter Baseball.

For more info, ticket sales, a full schedule of games, and HWB merchandise, check out the Hawaii Winter Baseball Website.

Hawaii Winter Baseball: Week 04

 

flick by: JOAQUIN SIOPACK

It’s Monday morning and it’s time for atypicalLIVING’s weekly Hawaii Winter Baseball coverage.

Well, there wasn’t too much going on this week in Hawaii Winter Baseball, as the weekend games at Les Murakami Stadium and Hans L’Orange Field were rained out.  Not to worry, as the teams will be back at it again this week, trying to bring the momentum from an amazing World Series into the games of this season.  I know a lot of the guys in the league are either Rays or Phillies farmhands, so there’s a lot of interest in the events going on in Philadelphia right now.

The updated standings:

• Honolulu Sharks: 13-8
• Waipahu CaneFires: 11-10
• Waikiki BeachBoys: 10-11
• North Shore Honu: 8-13

As is customary, Monday is the off day for the league, with action resuming tomorrow.  This week’s midweek series pits the CaneFires vs. the Honu and the BeachBoys vs. the Sharks.  The midweek series take place at Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu.

The weekend series has the Honu vs. the Sharks at Les Murakami Stadium and the BeachBoys vs the CaneFires at Hans L’Orange.  Don’t forget to bring along a radio (or Hele Wireless-equipped laptop) with you as ESPN 1420 will be broadcasting play-by-play for the Honu/Sharks games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

This week’s special events are sponsored by Kraft, Pizza Hut, Sea Life Park, and Ben Franklin Crafts.  It is Halloween Weekend, and both kids and adults get in for $1 if they come to the park dressed in costume.  Also, Sea Life Park will be holding a special interactive dolphin swim with coaches from the Honu and the Sharks.  Finally, Ben Franklin Crafts will be running their baseball card booth again at Les Murakami Stadium.  It’s a great weekend for baseball this weekend, hopefully, the weather can cooperate.

That will do it for this week’s atypicalLIVING Hawaii Winter Baseball wrap-up.  Join us every Monday for the HWB Weekly Wrap-Up, as we bring you the week that was in Hawaii Winter Baseball.

For more info, ticket sales, a full schedule of games, and HWB merchandise, check out the Hawaii Winter Baseball Website.

Hawaii Winter Baseball: Week 03

flick by: JOAQUIN SIOPACK

It’s Monday morning and it’s time for atypicalLIVING’s weekly Hawaii Winter Baseball coverage.

In action from Saturday (we didn’t have access to Sunday’s games at press time), the Sharks added to their league best record by defeating the BeachBoys 7-2 at Les Murakami Stadium.  Jim Rapoport had a HR and 3 RBI in the win.

Also on Saturday, the CaneFires defeated the Honu 7-6 at Hans L’Orange Field.  Mark Hallberg finished with 3 RBI, including a two-run single tied the score at 6 and sparked a 7th inning rally.  Chris Hatcher knocked in the winning run later in the inning with an infield hit.

The updated standings:

• Honolulu Sharks: 12-5
• Waipahu CaneFires: 9-8
• Waikiki BeachBoys: 7-10
• North Shore Honu: 6-11

As is customary, Monday is the off day for the league, with action resuming tomorrow at both Les Murakami Stadium in Manoa and Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu.  This week’s midweek series pits the CaneFires vs. the BeachBoys and the Honu vs. the Sharks.  The midweek series take place at Hans L’Orange Field.

The weekend series has the Honu vs. the BeachBoys at Les Murakami Stadium and the Sharks vs the CaneFires at Hans L’Orange.  Don’t forget to bring along a radio (or Hele Wireless-equipped laptop) with you as ESPN 1420 will be broadcasting play-by-play for the Honu/Sharks games on Tuesday and Wednesday nights.

This week’s special event is sponsored by GEICO.  At the Honu/BeachBoys game at Les Murakami Stadium, the first 200 through the gate get a special GEICO water bottle and a chance to win fabulous prizes at the GEICO game table.  Remember, Sunday games have a 1PM start, so be sure to be at the park early.

That will do it for this week’s atypicalLIVING Hawaii Winter Baseball wrap-up.  Join us every Monday for the HWB Weekly Wrap-Up, as we bring you the week that was in Hawaii Winter Baseball.

For more info, ticket sales, a full schedule of games, and HWB merchandise, check out the Hawaii Winter Baseball Website.

QUICKSTRIKE! Kamehameha Fitteds at Fitted Hawaii

Super SUPER last minute update here.  The Quickstrike Kamehameha Fitteds are back again for a special limited edition run.

Brown and Gold.  Black, Red, and Green.  Maroon and Grey.

Super limited edition.  Super OFFICIAL color schemes, especially that Gucci joint.  And if I need to explain which one that is… you haven’t been paying attention long enough.

So, hit up Fitted on the way to Manoa for tonight Hawaii Winter Baseball game between the Sharks and the BeachBoys.  First Pitch is at 7:30PM and tickets are available for $6 at the door.  And if you’re at the game, mention atypicalLIVING at the door and… get props from me.  Also, check out So Necessary hooking up the walk-in music.

For more on the Kamehameha Fitteds and all things 5950 in the 808, check out the Fitted Hawaii site.

Hawaii Winter Baseball: Week 02

 

Kala Ka'aihue hits 2HRs to power the 1st place Sharks over the Honu, 6-3

 It’s Monday morning and it’s time for your atypicalLIVING Hawaii Winter Baseball wrap-up.

Kala Ka’aihue is tied for the league lead for homeruns.  His power surge is powering the Honolulu Sharks to the best record in the league.  This weekend, he hit another two homers in a 6-3 win over the defending league champions, North Shore Honu.  They’re completely killing the league, as they’re the only team over .500, everyone else is just beating each other up.

The updated standings:

• Honolulu Sharks: 10-3
• Waipahu CaneFires: 6-7
• Waikiki BeachBoys: 6-7
• North Shore Honu: 4-9

The season is a little more than a 1/4 of the way done, and it already looks like the Sharks are the class of the league.  The defending champs need ot get it in gear if they’re gonna have a chance to defend the title and the CaneFires are finally getting out of the slums of the league and emerging as the second best team in this very competitive 2008 Hawaii Winter Baseball season.

As is customary, Monday is the off day for the league, with action resuming tomorrow at both Les Murakami Stadium in Manoa and Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu.  This week’s midweek 3-game series pits the Sharks against the CaneFires and the Honu vs. the BeachBoys.  The midweek series take place at hans L’Orange Field.

The weekend series has the Sharks and BeachBoys at Les Murakami Stadium and the Honu vs the CaneFires at Hans L’Orange.  Don’t forget to bring along a radio (or Hele Wireless-equipped laptop) with you as ESPN 1420 will be broadcasting play-by-play for the Honu/BeachBoys games during the week and the Sharks/BeachBoys games during the weekend.

This weekend’s special event is sponsored by Ben Franklin Crafts.  They’ll be providing a Baseball Card booth, where you can dress up in an HWB uniform and pose for your very own baseball card.  The baseball card booth will be happening at the BeackBoys/Sharks game this Saturday night at Les Murakami Stadium.  Game starts at 7PM, so get there early to pose for you card before the game starts.

That will do it for this week’s atypicalLIVING Hawaii Winter Baseball wrap-up.  Join us every Monday for the HWB Weekly Wrap-Up, as we bring you the week that was in Hawaii Winter Baseball.

For more info, ticket sales, a full schedule of games, and HWB merchandise, check out the Hawaii Winter Baseball Website.

Hawaii Winter Baseball: Week 01

Kala Kaaihue homers to power the Sharks over the CaneFires 7-3

 Welcome to the first atpicalLIVING Hawaii Winter Baseball week-in-review for 2008.  We’re pretty excited to have the opportunity to bring you a week-in-review column for HWB.  Baseball been berry berry good to me </Sosa>, so I must do my part to give back to the game that single handedly kept me involved with sports as a teen.

The 2008 campaign has been a strange one so far.  Besides all the hype surrounding the five MLB first-rounders playing in this season’s games, HWB has imported a great bunch of local players and foreign talent.

The other weird thing about this season is that the two teams that met up for the title last year are in the basement this year.  The CaneFires, who finished in last place in 2007, is currently leading the league with five wins in the early season.  So, this looks to be another exciting year of Hawaii Winter Baseball.

Games this year are being held at Hans L’Orange Field in Waipahu, just like last year.  A majority of the scheduled games will be played there, so make a trip out to the west side of the island to catch some exciting Winter Baseball action.  Instead of the interisland trips, Hawaii Winter Baseball is back at Les Murakami Stadium in Manoa during the weekend, so those in town can enjoy the excitement of HWB.  The renovations are done and it’s time to play ball!

The standings so far in this young season:

 

1. West Oahu CaneFires: 5-2
2. Honolulu Sharks: 4-2
3. North Shore Honu: 2-4
4. Waikiki BeachBoys: 2-5

Of course, this is early in the 40-game season, so there’s no reason to hit the panic button just yet. 

The league has it’s day off on Monday, so action will resume tomorrow at Hans L’Orange Field.  Some events happening this week in HWB include Love’s Bakery night at Les Murakami Stadium this Friday.  The first 120 fans through the gate at the CaneFires vs. BeachBoys game receive a free baseball cap.  Love’s Bakery is also sponsoring the Saturday night game as well.  Be one of the first 400 through th gate on Saturday and you receive a free seat cushion.  Sunday night’s game is sponsored by ALSCO and they’ll be doing a HWB product toss between innings, so you could score a free HWB shirt or jacket.

That wraps it up for this edition of the atypicalLIVING Hawaii Winter Baseball Wrap Up.  Go out there and enjoy a game.  Times are hard, but enjoying baseball is easy.  

To view the schedule of games and purchase tickets and merchandise, check out the Hawaii Winter Baseball website.

2008 Hawaii Winter Baseball Season starts soon

It’s that time of the year again… it’s time for Hawaii Winter Baseball!

The 2008 season is upon us, as the games begin in earnest this Saturday night at Hans L’Orange Park and the return of HWB at Les Murakami Stadium.  The teams remain the same, but the players are radically different.

This year will have five prospects that were drafted in the first-round of the 2008 draft, including highly touted prospect Buster Posey, who will play for the Waikiki Beachboys.  The Florida State Seminole is a product of the San Francisco Giants and was selected 5th in the draft.  Joining him will be Yonder Alonso (Cincinnati Reds, No. 7 overall, first base, Waikiki BeachBoys); Jason Castro (Houston Astros, No. 10 overall, catcher, North Shore Honu); Reese Havens (New York Mets, No. 22 overall, shortstop/outfield, Honolulu Sharks); and Jeremy Bleich (New York Yankees, No. 44 overall, left handed pitcher, Waikiki BeachBoys).

This is a talented field of players, which will include prospects from 23 of the 30 Major League teams, six teams from Japan’s Nippon Baseball League, and also players from the Lotte Giants from the Korea Baseball Organization.

The 40 game season will run from now until the Championship Game November 16th at Les Murakami Stadium.

And, of course, atypicalLIVING will be covering the season with it’s weekly recap.  So, stay tuned and get ready for an exciting season of Hawaii Winter Baseball.

For more info, check out HWB online.