Taking a major step
Advertiser Staff
|
||
Seven players made their major league debuts this season after playing in Hawaii Winter Baseball last season.
Who will be the chosen ones this time around?
Tomorrow's big leaguers start strutting their stuff Saturday when HWB opens the 2007 season with a doubleheader at Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu. The defending champion North Shore Honu play the West Oahu CaneFires at noon and the Waikiki BeachBoys take on the Honolulu Sharks at 6 p.m. Opening ceremonies start at 11:30 a.m.
The season openers also will be part of a city-sponsored Sunset at the Ball Park. There will be food booths and entertainment from noon to 10 p.m.
The four-team league, which is primarily for low-level minor leaguers and up-and-coming Japanese players to get more playing experience, was revived last year after its first run from 1993 to 1997. Last year, Canefires' pitchers Joba Chamberlain and Ian Kennedy signed late after they were drafted by the New York Yankees in 2006. Except for 2 2/3 innings at Short-Season Staten Island, Kennedy got most of his pro experience from HWB. Chamberlain's pro debut was in HWB. Both started this season in the minors, but are now helping the Yankees in the AL East race.
Baltimore's first-round pick of this year, catcher Matt Wieters, also signed late and will make his pro debut in HWB. He will play for the Sharks.
Cleveland's up-and-coming pitcher, left-hander Reid Santos, will play for the CaneFires. The 2000 Castle graduate is the only player with ties to Hawai' in the league. He pitched in the Arizona Fall League last year. The AFL is for more experienced minor leaguers who are close to making the big leagues.
The Los Angeles Dodgers have the highest representation among the MLB clubs with eight players, including Kenley Jansen, who played here last year. The New York Mets have seven players.
Because turf at Les Murakami Stadium is supposed to be replaced, HWB's O'ahu games will be solely at Hans L'Orange this season. Six games will be played at Hilo's Wong Stadium and Wailuku's Iron Maehara Stadium, both sites of original HWB teams.
Players begin arriving Tuesday.
The five other players from last year who made their big-league debuts this season are: Nate Schierholtz (Giants), Rick Vanden Hurk (Marlins), Jeff Clement (Mariners), Nyjer Morgan (Pirates) and Joe Thatcher (Padres).