Ted Hashimoto doesn’t let anything get in his way. The Kuku’s Aces pitcher began playing Senior Softball in 1986 with no prior experience in baseball. Now 20 years later, Hashimoto remains as one of the oldest athletes in the league
Ted Hashimoto doesn’t let anything get in his way.
The Kuku’s Aces pitcher began playing Senior Softball in 1986 with no prior experience in baseball.
Now 20 years later, Hashimoto remains as one of the oldest athletes in the league at 81, along with Teddy Daligdig.
“The best part is getting together with the boys,” Hashimoto said. “I don’t do nothing else but fish and stuff, so it’s nice to be around them.”
Hashimoto took to the sport after he retired from the county as a truck driver.
“I started playing with the Rookies, then I quit the Rookies and went to K-Makule, from them I went to Kuku’s Aces, the team I play for right now,” he said.
Hashimoto credits good friend Henry Peralta, a player from the Rookies, for setting him up with the league.
“I never played before,” Hashimoto said. “I first started in right field, then with Kuku’s I started pitching.”
Hashimoto likes to man the mound, but sometimes he’d like a break.
“It’s not bad,” he said. “I’d rather see others pitch too. Right now I’d just like to pitch unless I go catch.”
Besides Peralta, Hashimoto said there were many other players who helped him learn the game.
“All the boys helped me out at the start like Frank DeCosta, Peter Gushiken, George Fernandez and many others,” Hashimoto said.
And age might be the only factor to keep him out of the league.
“This is my last year, but I’ll be with the team but I won’t play,” he said. “I’m getting too old.”
Hashimoto’s favorite fishing spots include Princeville and Kaumakani, where he hooks Maninis.
“My fishing and talking with the boys should take up most of my free time after softball,” he said.
See Hashimoto in action for the last time this season, along with other Kaua‘i Senior Softball players at the Wailua Houselots Park today.
The Lihu‘e A’s have wrapped up the league championship. The Rookies, K-Makule, East Kaua‘i and West Kaua‘i round out the top five teams. The 2006 State Senior Softball Tournament takes place in Kahului, Maui, from Aug. 8 to 10.
• Duane Shimogawa Jr., sports editor, may be reached at 245-3681 (ext. 257) or kauaisports@kauaipubco.com.
