KAPA‘A — A chilly wind punctuated with misty sprinkles could not keep the Kaua‘i Senior Softball players, coaches, wives, and supporters from gathering at the New Kapa‘a Ball Park where they opened their 2004 season with the promise of great fun and competition that will culminate with Kaua‘i hosting the state tournament this year.
League Manager Pat Rosa made the announcement that was already familiar with the members of the seven teams representing all parts of the island, many of whom came to the opening ceremonies despite not having any games to play on opening day.
League President Nelly Mendonca welcomed the players and their fans to the park as members of the Kapa‘a High School J.R.O.T.C. presented the colors for the formal opening of the league’s season.
State Senator Gary Hooser, pressed for time due to a previous engagement at the agricultural forum taking place at the Kaua‘i Community College, expressed his appreciation for the contributions the senior players have made to the community, contributions that continue to serve as inspiration for the citizens.
“You remind me of why I do my job,” Hooser told the group, noting their diversity in ethnic and cultural backgrounds that come from every corner of the island.
“I see fathers, leaders, and people who have contributed, and continue to contribute to Kaua‘i,” Hooser told the group before adjourning to his engagement at the agricultural forum.
Joe Munechika, representing the county Council, said that as a player himself, the opening meant a lot, and he’ll be joining them on the field in “a couple of weeks.”
JoAnn Yukimura, also representing the county Council, said, “You folks have been doing this from small-kid time, and you continue to have fun. There are many things that I sometimes wish I could do from small-kid time, but I don’t do. You know how to make ‘fun’ a life-long experience.”
Citing the ongoing Kaua‘i Great Weigh-Out, Yukimura cited the league’s sense of togetherness and team spirit, adding that if they were in the program, not that they needed to lose weight, they would win points because they know what ‘team’ means.
Munechika served up the first pitch which was promptly conked by Yukimura down the firstbase line sending members of the Lihu‘e A’s scrambling to field the hit.
Teams playing in the league which rotates through different fields around the island include the Rookies, the defending champions from the 2003 season, the Lihu‘e A’s, Kawaihau, West Kaua‘i, K Makule, Kuku’s Aces, and East Kaua‘i.
Games are played each Saturday starting at 9 a.m. through July 24, Rosa explaining that usually there are four games each Saturday, but due to the uneven number of teams, there will be some days when only three games will be played.
