By BILL O’REAR
By BILL O’REAR
Tribune-Herald sports editor
The West Regional softball champion Hilo girls are set to leave today on their quest for the 2012 RBI World Series title in Minnesota.
It’s the fourth time in the past six years that the Big Island team, under manager James Hirayama and representing the Boys and Girls Club of the Big Island, has played in the prestigious event. The Big Islanders captured the World Series crown in 2009.
The eight-team tournament runs Tuesday through Aug. 12 at the University of Minnesota Softball Complex in the Twin Cities, Minneapolis and St. Paul, Minn.
“Everybody is healthy and ready to go,” Hirayama said. “We’re going there to have fun, but we’re also going to try to make a run at the World Series championship. I feel very confident with this team and the girls are excited about the challenge ahead. The amazing thing about this team, is that it’s a young team from ages 13 to 19, and it’s a fearless team. These girls aren’t afraid to fail and will go out swinging the bats.”
In mid-July, Hilo dominated the three-team West Regional with a 5-0 record, including a 10-3 win over host Anaheim in the championship game in Anaheim, Calif. The Big Islanders outscored their opponents 30-5 over the five-game stretch to clinch the World Series berth.
“We gained a lot of confidence in the West Regional and the team really came together,” Hirayama said. “Now, we’re going to the World Series and I know the girls are going to have a great experience, on and off the field. They will be pampered as regional champions and will play in first-class facilities and have first-class trainers.
“In their off time, they’re going to get to see a Minnesota Twins game, and visit the Mall of America for two hours. But the girls have already told me that two hours isn’t enough time for them to shop.”
Still, when it comes time to play softball, Hirayama believes his girls will be prepared.
“They’ll play hard for seven innings and never give up,” he said. “We’re going to try to win all the little games within a game, and we hope to peak at the right time in the tournament. We want to make it to the finals, and we want to win the World Series.”
Hilo is part of the American League Central Pool, along with East champion Cleveland, Mid-Atlantic champion Harrisburg, Pa., and Northeast champion Hoboken, N.J. In the National League Central Pool are Southeast champion Atlanta, Caribbean champion Dominican Republic, Southwest champion Houston and Central champion Mathews-Dickey Boys & Girls Club.
Hilo plays Hoboken, N.J. at 8:30 a.m. Hawaii Standard Time on Tuesday to open pool play. The Big Islanders will battle Harrisburg, Pa. at 5:30 a.m. Wednesday and then play two games on Thursday: 3 a.m. vs. Cleveland and 6:15 a.m. vs. Hoboken.
The teams will be seeded by order of finish in pool play and start the single-elimination interleague playoffs on Aug. 11. The winners advance to the semifinals and the championship game will be played at 8 a.m. Aug. 12 and televised on the MLB Network.
Hirayama said the Dominican Republic and Southeast champ Atlanta may be the early favorites, based on their strong rosters. But he also believes Hilo is in the hunt and will make a strong bid for the World Series crown.
“I think this year’s team is a better hitting team than some of the past teams we brought up,” Hirayama said. “They seem to hit all pitching well. We also have solid pitching and defense. But this team also does some of the little things that helps us win. We try to make our opponents do what we want them to do and not play to their strengths.
“Like on defense, we scout the teams and make them hit the ball to the best part of our defense. We try to play to our strengths.”
To get ready for the five-hour time change, Hirayama had the team practice at 4 a.m. the past four days at the University of Hawaii at Hilo baseball field, under the lights.
“We want them to get use to the time difference now before we get there,” Hirayama said. “We also know the girls will be missing some school and are worried about their homework. We’ll try to take care of that. But once they start playing, they will be focused on the games and we’ll give it our best shot.”
Of course, Hirayama said the Hilo team wants to win the World Series — “That’s our goal,” he said. But he also believes the ultimate goal — win or lose — is taking advantage of what the RBI World Series offers.
“The RBI program is sponsored by Major League Baseball and provides such a positive coaching and playing environment,” Hirayama said. “There are so many life lessons taught and there’s a legitimate attempt to make every player a better person for life.
“The players will take so much away from this overall experience and it could make a difference in their lives. It’s all positive and a win-win situation for everyone.”
Regional champions
Members of the West Regional champion Hilo All-Stars include Bethany Batangan, Stacie Doi, Gayla Ha-Cabebe, Shaniya Kamakea-Wong, Chelsea Camello, Jordyn Waracka, Skylar Thomas, Camille Kiyota, Skyler Agrigado, Ciana Matsuoka, Chelsea Requelman, manager James Hirayama, coaches Tracy Miyashiro, Solomon Thomas, Fred Entilla and Craig Camello, and team coordinator Agnes Yamauchi.