Ready or not, Opening Day of the Oahu AJA Baseball League is Sunday at Hans L’Orange!
Sunday, defending champion Waipahu will face Manoa at 10 a.m. then 2nd place Pearl City and Sheridan play in the second game at 1 p.m.
There are six week night games in week one including playoff teams Mililani vs. McCully and Ewa and Pearl City on Tuesday night and Waialae vs. Mililani and McCully vs. Ewa on Thursday.
A reminder, there is construction on the freeway so plan accordingly. Week night games start at 7 p.m., no exceptions.
Good luck in your games and see you at the ballpark.
Published in the Hawaii Herald.
Oahu AJA Baseball Association which began play in 1924, opens its 87th season on Sunday December 14, 2014 with a doubleheader at Hans L’Orange Park, starting at 10am. The 16 game regular season features games played on Sundays and weeknights at Hans L’Orange field in Waipahu and the Central Oahu Regional Park in Waipio. The six team double elimination Championship Tournament is scheduled to begin March 1 and culminate with the League champion being crowned on March 9.
Defending League champion Waipahu, led by manager Blane Muraoka, won it’s 5th League Championship since 2000 and first since 2007, returns a strong core of veteran players led by former three time Most Valuable Player (2009, 2010, 2011) and League Championship Tournament Most Outstanding Player Shaun Kiriu; Most Valuable Player & Most Homeruns leader & All Star Chevas Numata, current Most RBI leader & All Star catcher & former League MVP (2013) Zach Kometani, Most Inspirational Player Nelson Inabata, Moku Paiva (AJA career Home Run leader) & former MVP (2008) Derek Costigan.
Pearl City, 2nd place finisher in the Oahu playoff tournament, is led by manager Darryl Nitta as it tries to win its first Oahu Championship since 1981. Batting Champion & All Star 1st Base Kip Matsuda, former Mid-Pac and Long Beach star, returns along with All Star Outfielder Chris Goya to lead PC. Two time Most Valuable Player Sean Yamashita and old timer Daven Hermosura, former UH pitchers lead its staff.
Waialae, managed once again by Karl Sadanaga and Kenny Nakamoto, returns many members from their championship squad of a few years ago. All Star Outfielder Davin Morita, Stolen Base leader David Chu and veterans Kevin Higa and the Mols brothers will try to lead Waialae back to its glory days.
McCully’s co-managers Steve Otani and Kyle Higuchi returns with All Star and Lowest ERA pitcher Nolan Kometani, veterans 3rd baseman Colby Ho, Duane Ito, Mason Suga, Gainor Nitta and the Uehara brothers (Scott, Andy, John). Former UH pitcher/outfielder Harrison Kuroda, workhorse Alvin Estes and veteran Jim Okano will assist Kometani.
Mililani for the first time in recent memory, advanced to last year’s Oahu Championship playoff with its 5th place finish during the regular season. New manager Chad “Moonie” Uyehara looks to continue Mililani’s run to continued playoff experience with perennial All Star outfielder Waylen Sing Chow, and its new youngster core.
Long-time manager Fred Higa, returns to run Ewa on the field. He looks to All Star pitcher with Most Wins and Most Strikeouts Ryne Miyamoto, All Star 3rd baseman Brad Taura, All Star 2nd baseman Reid Goto and AJA career stolen base champion Devin Oshiro and veterans Colby Kagawa, Ryan Tanabe, Brandon Tanaka, Brandon Yamamoto, Lorin Nakagawa & former Championship Tournament Most Outstanding Player pitcher Adam Inaba & veteran Brandon Kameoka to lead Ewa back to the top.
New co-managers/players Doug Shimokawa & Reid “Diesel” Matsushima look to return Sheridan back to the playoffs after missing out last year. Veterans Kevin Matsumoto, Jason Takamoto & defensive wizard Bryce Uegawachi and former All Star Reid Nomura will return.
Manoa with new manager Ray Sakurai, looks to All Star Shortstop Easton Torigoe, veteran pitcher Eric Lum and son Jonny Sakurai to lead its rebuilding effort.
Kaneohe, rebuilding with youth and the energy of Kaneohe old-time coaches Sheldon Murata, Clint Takekawa & Jeff Akamine, lead a young squad of Kaneohe natives.
The Executive Board uses its 300+ years of AJA baseball experience to guide the league. Led by President Wally Izumigawa, League Manager Glen Higa, returning Board members Eddie Hayashi (60 years of AJA baseball experience starting as a batboy in the 1960s), Tom Ishigo (40+ years in AJA baseball), Treasurer Randy Inaba, former UH and Sheridan All Star ballplayer, Ken Takata (92 years young), Bert Yasui and Wendell Koga, Board members since 1970s, the Executive Board welcomes all fans & supporters to attend games and cheer on its players.
In addition, the League receives tremendous assistance from others such as Colin Tanabe, who takes care of Hans L’Orange, Syndy Shimai & Al Ishimitsu, who score keep for numerous games, and the Rainbow Umpire Hui, who provide the umpires for our approximately 100 league games.
Please come out to the ballpark and enjoy AJA baseball at its finest.