Honu Declared Champion in Washed Out Title Game

Published on November 20, 2007 under Hawaii Winter Baseball 2 (HWB 2)
North Shore Honu News Release


The Hawaii Winter Baseball championship game was cancelled due to heavy rain, and as a result of its superior record, North Shore was declared the 2007 HWB Champion.

"Our goal was going out and winning a ballgame every night, and I think our record indicates that," said North Shore Manager Kevin Bradshaw. "They did everything we asked them to do, we did a little early work and hit, had some days off, and I never heard them complain about anything. From a manager's standpoint, all you can hope for is to have some good players with great attitudes come to the ballpark every day."

The Honu were scheduled to face the Waikiki BeachBoys this evening, but the conditions at Waipahu's Hans L'Orange Park were deemed unplayable as much of the playing surface was covered by ponds of water resulting from a continuous, heavy downpour. North Shore (26-12-1) claimed the HWB West title and Waikiki (19-19-1) was in the title game as HWB East champions.

"We played together as a team the whole time," said Mat Gamel, HWB's Most Valuable Player. "The pitchers pitched well and we played good defense, we piled on hits and never really stopped. It was never just one person, it was a team effort.

"A lot of us are ready to get home, we're tired, we've been out playing since February," Gamel added. "It's the championship game, everyone's itching to play. A lot of fans came out, and it's bad for them. It's bad for (the BeachBoys) because they didn't have a shot to win (the championship). But in the same breath, the field wasn't really playable so you can't come out here and get anybody hurt."

This marks the second consecutive year in which the Honu has claimed the HWB championship. The Honu downed the BeachBoys last season, 5-1, before 3,783 in attendance at Les Murakami Stadium in Manoa, Oahu.

"The talent level is better, we have better pitching, and better hitters," said Duane Kurisu, Hawaii Winter Baseball Chairman and CEO as he reflected upon the league's seventh year in existence. "What started out being an issue, where we couldn't play at Les Murakami Stadium, actually turned out to be a positive. We learned to overcome adversities and play at Hans L'Orange, and we know we can do it on one field, but we plan to go back to Murakami (Stadium) next year."

The last notable minor league to decide its champion based due to unsuitable weather conditions was the Southern League in 2004 after the effects of Hurricane Ivan. Mobile and Tennessee were declared co-champions as a result.

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Hawaii Winter Baseball 2 Stories from November 20, 2007


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