Categorized | Softball, Sports

Kupunas bust out the bats at Kona tourney

 

Mayor Billy Kenoi takes a big cut on a pitch low and inside from Parks & Rec. Director Bob Fitzgerald. (Hawaii247.com photo courtesy of Bobby Command)

Mayor Billy Kenoi takes a big cut on a pitch low and inside from Parks & Rec. Director Bob Fitzgerald. (Hawaii247.com photo courtesy of Bobby Command)

Karin Stanton/Hawaii247.com Contributing Editor

 

The Hawaii Kupuna Softball Tournament kicked up some dust Tuesday at the Old Kona Airport Park complex.

Mayor Billy Kenoi showed up, took a swing and took in the action during the opening ceremonies Tuesday morning.

Mayor Billy Kenoi congratulates Walter Ah Hee of Waiakea during opening ceremonies Tuesday at Old Kona Airport Park. (Hawaii247.com photo courtesy of Bobby Command)

Mayor Billy Kenoi congratulates Walter Ah Hee of Waiakea during opening ceremonies Tuesday at Old Kona Airport Park. (Hawaii247.com photo courtesy of Bobby Command)

Island championship bragging rights are up for grabs for 19 teams in the three-day tourney, which features players as young as 55.

Play resumes 8 a.m. Wednesday and continues Thursday. 

The regular season wrapped up June 27, with the top eight teams earning the right to vie for the Division I championship in a round-robin pool-playing format.

 

Division I contenders include: Hilo Pomaikai, Onipaa Iron Birds, Kona Gold, Kohala, Honomu Rockets, Waimea Paniolo, Team Sports and Onomea Rangers.

Two four-team pools will play three round-robin games each, with the winners battling in the championship game at 11:45 a.m. Thursday.

In Division II’s round-robin games, it’s: Kuikahi, West Side, Puukapu, Ka Nani O Honokaa, Puuwai Opio and Kupuna Pride.

Mayor Billy Kenoi poses with Kona Warriors captain Boss Hanato during opening ceremonies Tuesday at Old Kona Airport Park. (Hawaii247.com photo courtesy of Bobby Command)

Mayor Billy Kenoi poses with Kona Warriors captain Boss Hanato during opening ceremonies Tuesday at Old Kona Airport Park. (Hawaii247.com photo courtesy of Bobby Command)

 

And in Division III, the teams playing four round-robin games are: Hui O Na Kolohe, Kipuupuu, Waiakea, Papaikou and Kona Warriors.

 

During the opening ceremonies Tuesday, Kenoi picked up a stick and took his turn the batter’s box.

While the results of Kenoi’s at-bat have not been made available, which we are sure is a total East-West thing with major racial overtones …

We’d he’ll blame it on the shoes. Seriously, Mr. Mayor, dress shoes? You live Hawaii!  

Of course, if Kenoi did actually put one over the fence, it was the voggy air that carried so far  …

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Mayor Billy Kenoi swings for the fences. (Hawaii247.com photo courtesy of Bobby Command)

Mayor Billy Kenoi swings for the fences. (Hawaii247.com photo courtesy of Bobby Command)

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