Aloha.
This time, the multi-purpose Hawaiian word means good-bye as Sunday marked the end of the 2006 Cal Ripken World Series at the Ripken Baseball Academy in Aberdeen. The week-long tournament ended with a U.S. champion team from Hawaii (Hilo) defeating Team Mexico in the finals for the second year in a row.
Last year, Oahu beat Mexico, 1-0, for the title.
“It rained a little bit and started to dampen the spirits right in the beginning, but people came out strong,” said tournament namesake Cal Ripken Jr. “It was an enthusiastic crowd, and the weather turned out great.”
Ripken said that the 2006 tournament, the fourth one held in Aberdeen by the Babe Ruth League, was a turning point. With the addition of a fourth field for play in 2006, this year?s World Series was free to the public. Additional plans for the 2007 event will be to broaden the playing field.
“We would certainly like to expand the international teams and certainly look closer at some of the rules of the tournament,” Ripken said.
Ripken said that next year the tournament will move to 75-foot bases and the mound will be 50 feet away from home plate.
“It will add more offense with the hit and runs, bunting and steals,” Ripken said.
Offense was the least of Hilo?s problems in the championship, as the team scored five runs in the first two innings and won, 5-2, over Mexico. Pitcher and infielder Ridge Hoopi-Haslem said that he enjoyed everything about the week.
“It is a once-in-a-lifetime experience,” he said.
Hoopi-Haslem hit his second home run in two days during the final game and had but one word to describe it: “Wow!”
Hilo coach Kaha Wong said he really soaked in the week living in Maryland.
“Besides Hawaii, the only other place I would want to live is Aberdeen,” he said. “I wanted to tell Cal and the city of Aberdeen thanks for the hospitality, but I know I will be back next year.”
SCOREBOARD
International semifinals
Dom. Republic 7, Australia 6
Mexico 3, Canada 0
U.S. semifinals
Bryant (Ark.) 4, Lexington (Ky.) 3
Hilo 7, Satsuma 3
International final
Mexico 2, Dom. Republic 1
U.S. Final
Hilo 8, Bryant 1
Championship
Hilo 5, Mexico 2
