The Kaua‘i Senior Softball League will welcome 53 teams to the 37th annual Hawai‘i State Senior Softball tournament starting Tuesday at the Hanapepe Stadium complex. The Lihu‘e A’s, winning the Kaua‘i title with a 19-2 record, will be playing in
The Kaua‘i Senior Softball League will welcome 53 teams to the 37th annual Hawai‘i State Senior Softball tournament starting Tuesday at the Hanapepe Stadium complex.
The Lihu‘e A’s, winning the Kaua‘i title with a 19-2 record, will be playing in the A bracket of eight teams playing in two pools.
“These would be the leaders of their respective islands,” said Dwight Fujii, player coach for the A’s.
Players will be playing in seven brackets with Kaua‘i teams being scattered throughout the different brackets.
A coaches meeting will take place Monday with the tournament opening at 9 a.m. Tuesday. During the opening ceremonies, father-son combination of Ichi and Mel Chiba of the Rookies are expected to do the honors of throwing out the first pitch.
With the exception of the Lihu‘e A’s, all Kaua‘i teams are in action when the first games unfold starting at 10 a.m.
Kawaihau, playing in the G Bracket, will open against the Pono A’s at the ‘Ele‘ele Park.
Kuku’s Aces, playing in the F Bracket, will open against Pu‘ukapu in the first of its double-header.
The second will be played against Waiakea starting at 3 p.m.
The Hanama‘ulu Hillsiders, coming off a successful kachi kachi dance fundraiser last weekend, will open its double-header in the E Bracket against the Hui O Na Kolohe at 10 a.m. and against Ka Nani O Honoka‘a starting at 3 p.m.
West Kaua‘i, playing the D bracket, opens against Gomes Trucking. The Rookies, playing in the C Bracket, open its double-header against Hanakua Coast at 10 a.m. and against Express starting at 3 p.m.
East Kaua‘i, playing in the B bracket, plays a double-header, first against Kohala starting at 12:30 p.m. followed by the Makules starting at 3 p.m.
The Lihu‘e A’s open against Hilo Pomaika‘i starting at 12:30 p.m.
Joining the Lihu‘e A’s and Hilo Pomaika‘i in the A bracket are Bad Company, Honomu Rockets, Kona Gold, Maui Braves, Aikane and Hui ‘Ohana.
Teams participating in the tournament will participate in pool play Tuesday and Wednesday, with the finals taking place Thursday.
A tournament fellowship banquet is scheduled for Wednesday starting at 5:30 p.m.
Pat Baniaga is the Kaua‘i Senior Softball League manager and tournament director.
