Pono Tokioka doesn’t realize what he accomplished last week. The deaf 11-year-old baseball player was instrumental in changing PONY Baseball’s rules to allow sign language interpreters in games. He might be small in stature, but his big heart opened doors
Pono Tokioka doesn’t realize what he accomplished last week.
The deaf 11-year-old baseball player was instrumental in changing PONY Baseball’s rules to allow sign language interpreters in games.
He might be small in stature, but his big heart opened doors for many youths who will follow in his footsteps.
Jimmy and Beth Tokioka also deserve a much needed pat on the back for not backing down when the big organization refused to let Pono play ball with the use of an interpreter.
Pono, who keeps earning spots on all-star teams, is now free to go about his business and continue on with his passion.
In fact, the whole reason for the change of rules was to just allow someone the same opportunity to play as others.
It’ll take Pono a few years to realize just how much he’s done for youths across the country.
From the start of the ordeal, the Tokioka family conducted themselves with nothing but class.
Even when the situation dragged along like a bumpy ride to Polihale, the Tokiokas remained calm and patient.
It would’ve been easy to just sue PONY Baseball, but instead they opted to call on the Justice Department to make things right.
Both Beth and Jimmy said they weren’t going to cripple PONY Baseball with a suit because it would hurt the individuals who are at the heart of the organization — it’s players.
They stood up for something all the way out in the middle of the Pacific Ocean on a tiny island.
The Tokiokas represent a quote I heard awhile back from a coach: “Tough situations don’t last. Instead only tough people do.”
It’s certainly a great time for not only the Tokiokas but for anyone who had to fight for something.
Many individuals also helped the Tokiokas throughout the process.
After talking with both Jimmy and Beth, it was evident that they were extremely grateful for the support from around the island.
We all pulled through in some way or another.
If we weren’t directly involved with the situation, we were rooting for Pono and his family.
With the national sports scene tainted with steroid-filled athletes, it’s refreshing to witness a great accomplishment from an innocent youth baseball player, who suits up for one reason — for the love of the game.
