Sunday, November 9, 2008

Home Grown Boys in Winter League

Kala Ka’aihue and Kaimi Mead


Two local Honolulu high school baseball stars are getting in some extra practice and playing time in the Hawaii Winter Baseball league, as members of the Honolulu Sharks.

In today’s game against the Waikiki Beach Boys, Kala Ka’aihue and Kaimi Mead played significant roles as the Sharks powered over the Beach Boys in the last Sunday game of the season.

Ka’aihue drove in the Sharks’ second run with a screaming line drive into right field, allowing his teammate on third to scurry home. Mead pitched two scoreless innings to help keep the Beach Boys at bay.

First-baseman Ka’aihue is a 2003 graduate of Iolani High School in Honolulu. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 22nd round (654th overall) in the 2003 draft, and was signed by the Braves as a free agent in 2005. He is currently a first baseman for the Mississippi Braves (AA), and was named the Most Valuable Player of the playoffs after helping his team capture the Southern League Championship.

Left-handed pitcher Mead is a 2003 graduate of Roosevelt High School where he lettered in paddling and baseball. He was drafted out of Hawaii Pacific College in 2008 by the Cleveland Indians in 18th Round (561st overall). This year, he achieved a 5-8 record with the Mahoning Valley Scrappers.

There are more Hawaii players in HWB, but these two were playing in the game I attended today. Very impressive indeed.

(These photos were taken using my Sony Super SteadyShot [DSC-T70] camera from the stands.)

3 comments:

Montee said...

Craig, I am so excited to see K.K. on your blog! I don't know if you saw my post In The Kitchen that he played for my husband this past season in MS. I will have to show my son and husband this. K.K. is so very nice. If you ever get to see him play again, try to speak to him and tell him the Wellman Family says hello.

casch said...

You can tell you love baseball! Thanks for sharing this info.

Craig Miyamoto said...

I do, I do, I do love baseball, Carolyn. And I'll do just that, Montee! The last game I'm going to is the championship game this coming Sunday. I do believe the Sharks'll be playing, so I'll try to sit above their dugout and give him a shout-out.