Generation Next is up for Waipi'o Little League.

These guys have some big cleats to fill.

The 13 players and three coaches from last season's Waipi'o team that won the Little League Majors (ages 11-12) World Series in Williamsport, Pa., have moved on.

Leaving this year's team in a unique situation: defending World Series champions with no returnees.

Ross Yamaguchi has taken over for Timo Donahue as coach of Waipi'o.

Yamaguchi has 10 12-year-olds and three 11-year-olds on his roster.

"They know where they're from," Yamaguchi said. "They know what Waipi'o did last year. We set realistic goals and try to stretch it. We want to get to San Bernardino (Calif., for the West Regional). You need luck here and there."

Waipi'o will be one of six teams playing today through Tuesday in the Majors District Tournament at Pu'uiki Park in Waialua.

"This year, we don't have the firepower that last year's team had, but we have kids that can hit the ball," Yamaguchi said. "We're well-rounded overall. All the kids are all-stars and got there for a reason."

Yamaguchi, who has coached youth baseball for 13 years, likes that most of his players have moved up together through the Waipi'o system.

"It's a good thing," he said. "The kids have played together; 10 (year olds), 11 and this year 12. It's something that's a plus."

Yamaguchi's son, Tyler, is the team's starting shortstop.

Joining Yamaguchi on the Waipi'o coaching staff are Marcus Moises and Rich DeSa.

"Everyone has to do their part to succeed," Yamaguchi said. "You can't have nine guys pulling the team. We are the sum of 13 parts; 16 with the coaches. If one piece of the puzzle isn't doing it, it's not going to work."

Complete makeovers for youth teams are quite common.

The West O'ahu team that won the World Series in Williamsport in 2005 also had no players or coaches return to the same level the following year.

Yamaguchi, who works as an account executive, played on the 1972 Pearl City Little League team that finished third in Williamsport.

"I talked to some of the kids on last year's team," Yamaguchi said. "It's something they aren't going to forget. I'm almost 50 and still remember stuff vividly."

MOVING ON

Donahue still is in the Waipi'o Little League system, but he's now coaching his youngest son, Jordan, at the coach-pitch Peewee Division (ages 7-8).

Donahue said he decided to move to the younger division prior to last summer's title run.

"That was the plan, to go back and coach my son," he said.

Nearly one year later, memories of last summer's championship run come back to Donahue — especially when he steps onto the baseball field at Kanoelani Park.

"Every time I go to the field, it crosses through my mind. The smaller one (Jordan) is playing on the same field."

This summer, Donahue also is coaching a Babe Ruth 15-under team called Cinco Star. Son Christian Donahue, Keelen Obedoza and Jedd Andrade, members of last summer's World Series team, are playing for him.

Gregg Tsugawa, an assistant on last year's Waipi'o team, is on Donahue's coaching staff.

Kiha Akau coached son Iolana Akau on last year's Waipi'o championship team. This summer, Kiha is coaching son Kahoea Akau on the Waipi'o 10-11 team, which recently won the state tournament.

Waipi'o 2008 alums Iolana Akau, Kainoa Fong, Tanner Tokunaga and Trevor Ling are playing for the Mililani team that won the P.O.N.Y. Pony 13 Hawai'i Region Tournament last week at Central O'ahu Regional Park.

Mililani will play in the West Zone Tournament at Whittier, Calif, July 30 to Aug. 2.

Many of the 2008 Waipi'o players also are playing on the American Legion teams of their respective schools.

Reach Kyle Sakamoto at ksakamoto@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8041.

MINORS (AGES 9-10)

WAIPI'O 7, KIHEI 6: Adam Stack doubled in the tying and go-ahead runs in the bottom of the fifth inning as Waipi'o beat Kihei in the final of the Little League Minors State Tournament yesterday at Keolu Hills field.

Evan Yonamine had a sacrifice fly earlier in the inning to cut Waipi'o's deficit to 6-5.

KIHEI 040 200—6 10 1

WAIPI'O 400 03X—7 7 2

Hafoka, Akaka (4) and Kaniaipio. Yonamine, Siracusa (5) and Kong. W — Siracusa. L — Akaka.

Leading hitters: Kihei—Janes double; Barkman double, 2 RBIs; Vaohea 2-3, 3 RBIs. Waipi'o—Tadiarca double; Tacadena double; Stack double, 2 RBIs; Yonamine 2 RBIs.

Waipi'o team members: Matthew Aribal, Austin Bonsilao, Torey Chun, Jaryn Kanbara, Treyton Kong, Sheldon Lee, Chase Ling, Korrey Siracusa, Adam Stack, Ramsey Tacadena, Trevor Tadiarca, Logan Yee, Evan Yonamine. Waipi'o coaches: Janeen Olds, Duane Kong, Mike Siracusa