Baseball Rainbows in Arizona

This is the way they’ve played all year. Focus. Determination. Nothing gets them down.

GO WAHINE!!!

Good night all!!! I know we’ll all have sweet dreams.

Good Luck na Wahines.

Bring home the TROPHY.

Agree with you, ST. AND to do it on the #1 seed’s home field with 3K fans going crazy sensing victory…….amazing grit and determination. Go Wahine!!! They need to start charging for admission…

world series bracket:
http://www.ncaa.com/auto_pdf/p_hotos/s_chools/ncaa/sports/w-softbl/auto_pdf/Soft-D1-2010Bracket

OH MY GOD!!!!!!!!

I JUST REALIZED I DON’T WORK TODAY!!!!!!!

MY MIND HAS BEEN SPINNING AND I FORGOT TODAY WAS A HOLIDAY!!!!!!!!!!

So… I’ll keep on typing!

It was the hit that was heard around the nation!

If you wanted Na Wahine to get some recognition, well… everyone knows about them now.

This game is being touted by the press as possibly the biggest upset ever in college softball history!

Did you see that Crimson crowd stare in silence at that ball sail over left field? It was simply deafening! What an incredibly sick feeling they must’ve collectively had. And you know, it could have easily swung the other way.

I’m sooooo proud of them.

Onto OOOOOOOOKlahomaaa!

You know, the thing about our opinions on how ESPN called the action is interesting.

YES, Capuano was the more respectful of the two, often pointing out the Wahine’s qualites, but Smith was more critical and unjust.

I caught a good earful of her rationale in trying to explain why the additional runs produced off a home run is “unearned”.

To quote:

if a team is going to score runs, they should have to earn it and not just crank it out of the park

This comment occured after Smith was noticably agitated when Kanani Pu’u-Warren was HPB and Smith was trying to sell the pseudo fact that Nani was leaning over the plate. RIGHT.

Then Michele Smith followed up with this comment while Amanda Taualii was at bat during the bottom of the 3rd inning:

When you control a batter and get them to mis-hit a ball and it still goes over the fence, then something is not right with that.

These comments followed consistantly when Smith seemed to be concerned that Alabama was not playing their speed game and “resorting” to playing “Hawaii’s Style”. So to Smith, “Hawaii’s Style” is not legitimate “softball”.

I don’t care how anyone perceives this, this is my opinion, as is apparently MANY others her and elsewhere and spills over into local media folks.

A fanatic fan should NEVER be questioned. Fanatic fans such as myself and the countless others here look at UH student athletes almost like family members in that we will back them up almost no matter what happens on the field of competition.

Bob Coolen’s approach to the game of softball may not be the most “orthodox” but it has worked for him for 19-20 years. You want wins, he has them.

But back to the point I’ve made before. It’s a futile attempt to make one’s self out to be some sort of pseudo-columnist that has no column and thinks they are doing a service to fanatic fans by “seeing both sides” when in reality, the ONLY side they are seeing is their own.

However, that is where the similarites between those people and fanatics are. Both are strongly opinionated in their beliefs and in their passion.

I do proudly state though, that for us fanatics, our opinions are for our student athletes we cheer on and support emotionally and financially. It’s not about proving ourselves as some sort of individual that seeks to speak above the rest in an attempt to sound off as if they were born on a higher plane.

I’ve never apologized for anything I’ve ever said, unless it was something out of line that included muted profanity. 😉

I don’t expect anyone with a different opinion to apologize either.

Of all the significant UH victories I’ve witnessed none have had such huge implications. This one wins hands down. Unreal!

I do hope this incredible moment won’t be the last in our lifetime. Looking forward to many many more of these! =)

Capitol ist/WassupDoc:

May 31st, 2010 at 1:04 am
Nearly 900 people erupted into raucus cheers Sunday morning when the annoucement was made about

the Wahine’s come-from-behind win over Alabama. The place? Hilton Hawaiian Village. The occasion? TheState democratc party convention.

If it were the Republican Convention would that have drawn mundane golf claps or would they ask what the Punahou score was? 😆 😆 😆 😆

Ralph,

I hope Bobby Curran or the Sports Animals won’t use softball trivia for their radio give-aways.

Bobby Curran tried it once when the Wahine were hosting LaTech earlier this year and it was SAD how long it took for someone to identify ONE name of the Wahine infield.

I was about ready to punch my stereo.

i must say, if i didnt have have to baby sit my 14 month old daughter, id be flying to OKC and cheering them on in person! i am really happy for the Wahine! with all the mainland haters, BAMA coach crying over every call or non call, and ESPN announcers taking for granted the Wahine! That was wonderful to watch something great happen to Hawaii for a change, especially a Wahine sport. Cause they alway get the shaft by the NCAA, whether it be volleyball, softball in previous years, or basketball during the Vince Goo era!

Congratulations to the Wahine softball team. Now go and have a great experience at the World Series. Have fun and bring home that title.

In regards to the game announcers they are given information about the teams and their stats and some of the things they’ve gone through to get to the super regionals. As a Hawaii fan, the announcer’s biased can be sensed by their tone of voice and their game remarks which gave Alabama the nod over Hawaii for whatever reasons they had. One cannot say it was not so.

PERSONAL BIAS: The announcers may have been alumni of Alabama or have ties to the university or liked Alabama more than Hawaii. For ESPN they would want the number 1 seed to advance. BUSINESS BIAS.

Going forward an Alabama fan would want Hawaii to take it all and go undefeated because that will give consolation to the Alabama team that they got beat by the best. (NO EXCUSES) For ESPN they can create that “cinderella” type of coverage and bring more viewers to the WCWS.

Not an Expert,

Go with your gut feelings! If you believed it was a bias then there you go!

But yes sir, it is HARD to defend the tone and words of Michele Smith when Bama was reeling and still down by three runs.

For anyone to say that ESPN gave the Wahine the props they deserved properly, is a slight on the Wahine softball players that worked so hard and believed in Coach Coolen’s philosophy of softball.

Kelly Majam has said it countless times in referring to the style of softball they play when they are on top of their game. Majam and no doubt her teammates call it “Hawaii Ball”.

But as you can see too, business of advancing and pushing the “favorites” while downplaying the capable underdogs is a clear sign that the “sports” in collegiate athletics is giving way to $$$$$ and keeping that $$$$$, the media attention, and the power of national exposure to keep recruits flowing into those power schools with deep pockets to keep the richer staying richer.

However, Na Wahine have shown that big time softball can be played in Hawaii too!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Just looking at the video again. The time between the strikeout and the homerun landing beyond the fence? 32 seconds.

ST- only the West Oahu Little League win even comes close to yesterday’s.
Nitey Nite !

Remember the football stadium upgrade that BSU helped fund with the money from their first BCS game? It is generating a LOT of money for their school. UH’s Sugar Bowl money all went to “balance the budget”, which means that it all went to Upper Campus. BSU’s academic side even has gotten over a million dollars from events that are being held at their athletic facility.

The Sky Center, which opened in August 2008, has produced $1.2 million for academics, about $700,000 for athletics and enough rental and catering income to cover the cost of operations, Boise State officials say.

“It’s everything we had hoped for,” athletic director Gene Bleymaier said. “The number of events that are booked up there now in a 12-month period is phenomenal.”

The Sky Center generated between $3.1 million and $3.2 million in lease revenues in each of its first two football seasons, said Curt Apsey, senior associate athletic director for advancement.

The profit helps support the athletic department budget.

The rest of the income – for rentals and food and beverage service – pays the cost of operating the facility. That’s about $375,000, including the expense of adding two full-time employees. Four full-timers and one part-timer staff the Sky Center.

Awesome HR!

“Number one ranked Alabama, versus Number 16 Crimson Tide” and Wahine still got in!

#671 from last blog
# Pomai:
May 31st, 2010 at 3:10 am

#666 ct

I take one exception to your comment, I did notice some excitement from the announcers when Alabama hit their home run in the 6th, they both came across a giddy as heck.

Pomai … with all due respect … please watch the HR by Alabama and compare the announcer reaction. “Larson are you kidding … waaaaaaaay gone … 3 run home run for Whitney Larson” … and “the fans are going wild … as they should” They were excited and let the crowd noise in. Noting that “Larsen just get her hands extended on” and doesn’t even follow through” and about the fans that “support his team no matter what the score is” And if you want giddy … listen to the announcers voices on the batter after the HR (Amanda Locke) … now that’s giddy .. the voice cracking with excitement describing the fans “new energy”

In fact if you look at the batter before J Rod … Gonsales … the pitch clearly inside … they got more excited saying “Rings her up” than they did during the winning HR … after the initial HR announcing for J Rod … there was complete silence for a long time … that’s what I meant about it was like their best friend died. Then describing it as a “shocking turn of events in Tuscaloosa, Alabama” and later described J Rod’s “unique hitting style”

Again … I could go on and on … sorry … will quit now … don’t get me wrong … I am still enjoying the win … and agree … this may be one of the best of all time

ct

Way down yonder in the Indian nation
Ridin’ my pony on the reservation
In the Oklahoma hills where I was born

Way down yonder in the Indian nation
A cowboy’s life is my occupation
In the Oklahoma Hills where I was born

But as I sit here today
Many mile’s I am away
From the place I rode my pony
Through the draw

Where the oak and black-jack trees
Kiss the playful prairie breeze
And I feel back in those hills
Where I belong

Now as I turn life a page
To the land of the great Osage
In those Oklahoma hills
Where I was born

Where the black oil rolls and flows
And the snow white cotton grows
And I feel like in those hills
Where I belong

Very impressive, Na Wahine win. I never watched Wahine sports, although I was a fan of the volleyball team. Watching it on ESPN, I can truly say I was excited and proud to be a Hawaii fan. That was a monumental win against the #1 team on their home field…the difficulty don’t get any harder than that, plus to do it in the bottom of the 7th, down to your last out, against their ace pitcher. Next up is the Mizzou Tigers…let’s lay a beating on them too to show the nation that Hawaii is a non-BCS player. And hope the Basebows play at the regionals hosted by ASU. ..if they do I can go see 🙂 Congrats to both teams ! Go Rainbows and Warriors!!

Off Topic……………….

I’m looking to purchase a cd by Moe Keale. His album is Aloha Is A Part Of Me. Specifically the song Mapuna Ka Hala O Kailua.

Don’t know where else to ask…….. 🙂

Let us not forget this is Memorial Day. We honor all of the men and
women (& their families) that have served and sacrificed for this Nation
– for our freedom, liberty, and high quality of life that many of us too
– often take for granted.

Thank you – and God Bless America!

glorious morning tsaiko country

congrats to the warrior men bball team for making an incredible run and winning the WAC. you showed grit, determination and made many doubters (me included) believers again. mahalo and continued success at the regionals.

ahhhhhhh the sball wahines what can one say that has not been said. beeeg congrats and also mahalo. yesterday was so sweeeeeet. nuff said.

go get um wahines and warriors

Submitting my grades –

Capuano = C
Smith = F-
Other ESPN “experts” = C‘s
UH Wahine SB Team = A++ 🙂 😀 😆

★.W.A.H.I.N.E.★.S.O.F.T.B.A.L.L!!!.★.W.A.H.I.N.E.★

ct ~ You have nailed it…and this is why this particular sports event is the greatest moment in Hawaii’s history!

➡ The media bias set the stage.

➡ The freeze frame shot of the overwhelming number of bama fans in the stands stunned by one mighty swing of the bat.

➡ The reaction to this storybook ending will draw even more attention to the “The Little Engine
That Could.”

➡ As Coach Bulla always reminds us…”make memories.” This one is indelible.

➡ Proud to be from Hawaii? Damn right we are!!. 😎

kekoa,

i agree with you 1000%…..national stage, on their field, and they were already written off by everyone…..Bama had the ‘mo’ and were rolling….Dunne was doing her thing, but as we all know…

‘it ain’t Dunne until it’s DONE……’

Man, I thought our Basebows had it tough playing San Diego for the opener. Arizona St. has to play the Brewers!

Good morning Tsaikos. After reading many of the post about ESPN announcers, I checked with ESPN to see if there was any place to express our feelings about the announcers. There is, go to ESPN, on the top there is a title with the word COMMENTARY, get on it and up pops Ombudsman, Don Ohlmeyer. You can email him your thoughts.

porgot, the email address is close to his name. will be interesting to see if there is any response and if they do, what will they say to defend smith.

Great Morning All!

Good that the BaseBows get to remain in AZ.

Safe travels to the SoftBows.

A truly memorable Sunday all around.

Have a memorable Memorial Day erryboddy. Thank you to all who made the Ultimate Sacrifice for this greatest country….

Good Morning Gangeez! 🙂 🙂 🙂

Thanks to the Wahine and Basebows for making this such a memorable Memorial Day!

In terms of a win with national ramifacations and with national TV exposure, Jenna’s pa’i might be number one.

But Mamea’s slam in the LLWS is right up there too.

So many great memories from the past which we Hawaii fans can savor, actually.

I’m thinkin’ that next weekends games are going to provide a few more. 😉

Wishing all the best to ALL THE 808 TEAMS that are still playing….HPU girls, UH Baseball and UH Softball teams……

we should have a parade for these 3 teams, no matter what happens here on out, they are WORTHY of a parade……in my opinion, but then again, who knows…..HISTORY is being made with each new step taken………….Let’s Do This……

D1-

Thanks for remembering to make Memorial Day memories the most memorable in my memory. I’m going to remember you for that. 😆

Just watched the post game press conference video for ‘bama with
Coach and several key players.

Dunne was really the only one that gave proper Kudo’s to Hawaii.
The coach had the least amount to say, or express.

Maverick,

you are absolutely right, and that is why Dunne is a WINNER in my book, she is a class act…..the coach is classless….and i’m sticking with it.

#73. You know that’s the way that the folks in the continental U.S. think.

High stakes playing for a berth in the College World Series
Facing the number one seed
On the road
For three weeks
National game on ESPN
Playing on the opponents home field
In front of a record setting crowd
Your best pitcher is ill
You’re Non-BCS
You’re smaller
You’re weaker
Your team statistics are deceptive and inflated
The opposing pitcher strikes you out sixteen times
You lose the lead late in the game
You are down to your last at bat
You are down to your last out
The crowd is on it’s feet in anticipation of your failure
It all goes silent in your mind
You are focused
You are confident
You are stoic
You step in
The drama
The pitch
The swing
The pause
The hope
The dream
The posture
The reality
The primal scream
The intensity
The pride
The jubilation
The joy
The high
The realization
The impact
The respect
The love
It was FANtastic!

Bulla –

The enigmatic Pride speaks with in-cheek-tounge me thinks.

The Commentators made the win even sweeter! I wish they went to a shot of them in the booth during the home run. 🙂

Good one haka

I really wish Haka would just come out and be truthful about how he really feels. 😆

Just kiddin’ Haka – well said and I couldn’t agree more!

OK girls an boys we only have about two more hours in the 24 hour rule, so girls enjoy it while you can, then get back to work, it’s just the begining of your road to your championship.

Can the Tsaikos celebrate past 24 hrs?

#88 Pride

OK just this once.

A legend has passed away, most here will remember Timmy Leong and his famous gym:

http://www.starbulletin.com/news/20100531_bodybuilder_owned_popular_gymnasium.html

DPK because she may not be a pro at broadcasting but she’s not stupid, she know she’d get bombed and embarrassed.

HPU plays for the Div II national title in a little over 30 minutes. Here’s a link:

http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=ncaa&media=181346

the tide died nuff said

Good morning KK! Whats the bottle count up to now?

I just thought of one event in UH history that may come close as far as unbelievable comebacks. Sometime back in the ’80s, UH football was playing Air Force with AFA driving for the game sealing TD. UH was behind and could not stop AFA option attack. Not sure who forced the fumble, but Robert Lam picked the fumble out of the air and ran for the game winning TD!! Not quite going to the WCWS, but at the time it was as improbable as J-Rod jack!!

Before I forget (again)… SteveM, I’ll be at the Fresno St. football game this October. 😀

I have to admit that I am not that knowledgeable about womens softball as some of our fans, but why doesn’t the Wahine’s wear hats like baseball players do?

labrat,

That’s kinda the analogy #1 son was making yesterday…maybe no mo’ the pedigree or contender status, but always a puncher’s chance.

But with the kine wallop these gals get it’s a good chance!

Oops sorry, wrong blog. I was looking for Wes Nakama’s blog.

ST,

Jenna’s homer was #6 of the top ten plays of the weekend, not just the day. #5 (Kobe’s Game 6), #3 (Gross’ HR stealing catch), and #1 (Halladay’s perfect game) all took place on Saturday. ESPN’s broadcast also clearly stated “weekend’s top plays”.

Pomai,

For female players…caps, visors and headbands are optional. Some wear visors because it’s easier with ponytails. Not all pitchers like wearing headgear as it could interfere with their delivery.

My team wore ball caps in college (non-fitted so people could still pull their hair through…and cheaper), but then we also wore pants when many teams that we played were still wearing shorts.

The ball isn’t as easy to lose as a baseball in the sun or lights because of the size difference so having a bill to help block isn’t a necessity. The glove usually works for that.

Dunne said what I have been saying all along. The Hawaii lineup will wear out pitchers. You might get one, two, or three but you can’t them get all. I thought Dunne was tiring a bit in the 6th but I give her credit. She was really giving it her all in the 7th. She was flapping so hard I thought she was going to fly.

The win over the #1 Ranked Tide on their home field is one of the greatest if not the greatest win in University of Hawaii sports history….
Go Rainbow Wahine, you make us all proud!!

Here’s a list of biggest upsets from ESPN:

http://espn.go.com/page2/s/list/topupsets/010525.html

It includes Chaminade’s defeat of Virgiinia

Maybe they’ll add the Wahine’s victory over Alabama, the next time around, eh?

pomai…in baseball, it is mandatory to wear a team cap on the field. softball does not have that rule, i think it is a girl thing, not so fashionable you see. it is their option to wear a visor, cap, or nothing at all on their head.

hpu down 2-0 4th.

Da Punchbowl Kid:

May 31st, 2010 at 8:14 am
If I were Kazz, I’d prolly say something wild and inflammatory like:
Why doesn’t Michelle Smith pitch batting practice against the Wahine sometime?

DPK, what is that?

You call that inflammatory? 😆

THIS, is inflammatory:

“I did not appreciate Michele Smith’s commentary.”

Oooooooooooo!!!!!! That will sting her!!! 😆

What’s been popular in women’s softball is that elastic hair band thing they wear to keep their hair out of their face even if they have ponytails.

Ricketts and Parnaby have used visors before in the circle, moreso Parnaby though. Yesterday, she just had the headband thing.

hpu score first run.
two women on one out top 5

2-1 hpu chasing one.

HPU just took the lead 3-2. Top of the 5th.

the softball game today is evolving. hawaii is the new prototypical softball team with lots of power. small ball may become a thing of the past.

i never did like the slap hitter who bounces one off the turf and beats it out. i thought that was taking advantage of the small diamond.

now, moving the pitcher’s plate back a foot, new bats and proper training is changing the game. the bottom line still remains that you gotta have the talent to hit the ball.

hpu up 4-2 still in the 5th.
singles, speed, and errors.
valdosta is imploding defensively.

Wasn’t Michele Smith a hitting pitcher in her day?

Michele Smith spoke as a pitcher when the Wahine got their hits.

Michele Smith spoke like a batter when Alabama got their hits.

kazz….go here.

http://all-access.cbssports.com/player.html?code=ncaa&media=181346

kazz….dat’s because she not hawaiian.

kazz…interestingly, smith was a pitcher/position player as you mentioned. she led the nation twice in homeruns during her last two years at oklahoma state.

http://www.michelesmith.com/collegehscareer.htm

go figga?

There’s some good reading in there.

Start from around page 9-10 and read how things change….

http://forum.tidesports.com/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=4866&start=160

the heat is getting to the defenses…

hpu squanders a dp opportunity when failed to appeal when the runner didn’t tag up at first. then the baserunner realized that she didn’t and went back to third and then came home on a misthrown ball. still, the runner touched home the first trip down the line and needed to retouch homeplate on her journey back to third to properly tag up. hpu missed those base running errors (2) and could have gotten that third out had they made an appeal on that play twice.

4-3

Al,

I guess for Ms. Smith HER homers back then were “EARNED” yeah?

i believe that college softball will become even more popular in the year’s to come as long as long ball continues.

i admit, it used to be rather boring back in the day of 1-0 2-1, routines scores. where pitchers dominated all to often.

bottom of the 7th.
hpu 4-3.

yesterday i did see that espn did say that they had to go brush up on there hawaii team facts, etc. that had a quick comment to that effect along with some brief facts, majam, etc.

it should be fun come thursday.

single to center.

bloop single.
two on one out.

double play and let’s get out of here !!!!

bases loaded 1 out.

two outs on a line drive.

0-2

1-2

2-2

pop up. HPU is national champs!

WooHoo!
Congratulations HPU! National Champions!!!

pop to the outfield….
centerfielder makes a catch.

hpu is the d2 national champ!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The first of three NC’s

wow……..!

that is quite an accomplishment.
amazing.

congratulations to the lady seawarriors.

so let’s make it two softball championships!

that would be incredible, wouldn’t it??

it could happen.

more impressive i think is the fast flying fingers of matt.
how do you do that?

(ugh, maybe he is younger, huh?)

CONGRATS TO HPU FOR A HISTORIC WIN!!!

GOOD FOR THEM!!!

Good Morning Tsaikos.

Much mahalos to all those heroes that serve our nation past and present for your sacrifice to keep us free … will be heading out to Punchbowl this afternoon to honor some family and those at the same time …

Two things I learned from that base running error that wound up scoring Valdosta State’s last run: she was supposed to tag home plate again before going back to third (never knew that!), and she’s fast!

Congrats HPU!

al,

#186. I turn 32 in a few weeks. I guess that’s young compared to some people around here, LOL. I’m finishing up my last class of grad school this summer so I have lots of practice typing up papers at the last minute.

Not An Expert,

Yup! Kelsi Dunne represented her university well yesterday.

I’m still jazzed about the Wahine SB win … and still think this may be one of the greatest of all time for UH …

Imagine your team being rung up 16 times … by a great pitcher on a roll … who’s not only getting calls on the outside corner … the ump seems to be giving both corners … that’s the reason they had to swing at some borderline pitches and got down in the count … very smart and tough pitcher … giving all she’s got … not giving Majam … the top home run hitter anything to hit … although walking Majam … was confident in going after Iwata and Gonsales …

Then flash to J Rod … you’re facing the #1 team in the nation … on their home turf … who had a 28 game winning streak … and who knows when was the last time they lost 2 games in a row … there’s two outs in the bottom of the 7th … down to the last out … it’s now or never … go big or go home … and the crowd is roaring … almost deafening … in anticipation of going absolutely berserk … a mediocre player would have succumb to the pressure … and no one … no one … would have thought less of her … if she went down … but it takes guts … and sheer will to step into the box … to say to yourself … this is what it is all about … this is where I want to be … I need to be here … at this moment for my team … and bammmmmm … the shot heard all the way across the US and the Pacific … from Tuscaloosa to Hawaii … sheer joy and excitement … and the disbelief and the agony of defeat on the Bama side … the #1 team goes down … hard to beat that one …

Gotta give all the credit to J Rod … I for one have become a fierce J Rod fan … that’s for sure … but then again … that’s the essence of this team … they all want to be there

ct

200?

Jenna Rodriguez is a story herself.

Wanting to come to UH out of high school, but needed to handle some academic business, went the JC route, won a JC National Championship as a pitcher, JC All-American, then arrives finally at UH.

Coolen loved her from the start. He put her in OF, but did struggle with her fielding out there. However, Rodriguez’s ability to provide pitching assistance and her more consistant bat got her the DP position and my goodness…

Not too many people have seen her pitch. In fact she was the ONLY pitcher I saw taking on Chaminade in the games I was able to go to during the fall. I saw that “presence” Coolen talked about. Just a REAL BULLDOG in the circle. Stoic, not a big girl at all, but just with the stone look and 30 grit sandpaper type expression.

J-Rod has that quiet intensity.

Rodriguez may not be Hawaii-born, but she is a GREAT example of how a student athlete had a goal, but needed to take detour, and came back to her school of choice to make a world of an impact.

Not much else to say other than… and “boom” goes the dynamite.

ct-
#198 – nice one. Checked on AL’s site, they lost back-to- back games twice this season prior to the UH series. UCF, MI and then to FL (at home).

Kazz she came in one time that I can remember it was late innings and I forget who it was against, but I know we saw her once late in the season.

OK, gotta go BBQ. Two racks of baby backs (one sweet, one spicy), corn on the cob buttered and wrapped in foil, olive oil and soy sauce asparagus, and grilled tomato halves with roasted garlic and cheese topping.

Congrats to HPU.

CHAMPIONS!!!!!!!!!!

2 more teams in the running.

Great posts on the Wahine. I will never forget sitting resignedly in my chair as Iwata and MiGi came up and sat down. And then jumping high in the air (relatively speaking lol) with my arms raised and shouting “Homerun! Hawaii wins!!!”

Oldie, gotta get a dvd copy. Make it two…my bro will be dying to get one!
Send me an email, please. randyhiraki.at.hawaii.rr.com

Hi, colleague! I like your blog, it’s so interesting! I think it’s pretty popular, isn’t it? I would like to invite you to review my onw blog http://footballquipment.com

Not to diminish the other players in giving props to J Rod … you gotta love the intensity of all the Wahine up and down the line up … I mean they all had some good swings … Taualii comes to mind … talk about intensity … and a killer swing … I mean … talk about getting your moneys worth … and that 1st base stretch … awesome effort … a flash of Yoshikawa who also had some absolutely tough at bats … making Dunne work and work … the unflappable Iwata … I mean … she got some bad calls for strikes on the inside … did not take a moment to even think of complaining … just stepped back in … and took some vicious swings … talk about maturity for a freshman … the calmness of Katie Grimes and Puu-Warren holding it all together … and the hustle by Aguirre and Majam … keeping everyone in the game … they were all on the verge of being … da one to do the damage … and of course Parnaby … not giving in … and kept on battling such determination and grit …it was a true team effort …

thank you to those we honor today
http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a387/chawan_cut/DSC06670.jpg

Pride & DPK:

my first reaction when I heard Ed Case was the wrong one is throwing the towel, it should be Hanabusa because Case has the “most” seniority in the House of Rep, including Mazie, as I believe he has over 5 years and Hawaii needs to get some one in with seniority as many from both parties are calling it quits or not on the November ticket – for what ever reason.

then, I thought it was a good move by the HDP shuld they chose to make Case their choice when Akaka and/or Inoyue decides to call it quits or if one should pass away.

primary concern is to get some one in to start building senority ASAP in both houses of Congress!!

Matt – Thank you for your service to our country. And thanks for your contributions to this blog.

ct

Matt — thanks for the SITREP! I recall listing you in the middle east back then and had your last reported position as the Big Island (Hawaii) when you became “not far away any more”. What city are you based in now?

Be sure to let us know the next time you are in Honolulu . I’m surrounded by Army Tsai-kos here and only SailorBlue understands me (I wore an anchor with a couple little stars)… 🙄 😆

Anyone know what the tv schedule will be?

Wahine on ESPN Thurs 7am. If When they win, they’ll play at 1pm Fri on ESPN. BaseBows play at 11am on Fri, so the game won’t be pau before the Wahine start. Oh, what to do, what to do. Guess the dvr will be working OT. 😀

FORMER YAVAPAI ROUGH RIDER SHINES IN NATIONAL SPOTLIGHT

The University of Hawaii softball team (49-14, 19-1 WAC) is headed to the Women’s College World Series for the first time in school history after defeating the University of Alabama, 5-4 on a three-run home run by former Roughrider softball player Jenna Rodriguez in the bottom of the seventh. Earlier in the game, Rodriguez hit her 16th home run of the season to put the Rainbows up 3-1 lead. With two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning, Rodriguez connected for her 17th dinger of the year and catapult the Hawaiin team into the national spotlight. Yavapai Head Coach Stacy Iveson commented, “It brought tears to my eyes to see one of our kids perform so well on the big stage. I could not be more proud of Jenna and how she has represented YC at the next level!”

From Cat’s blog today:

I’ll be honest: It took me a little longer to write today’s blog.

We were notified last week that some of us could continue blogging for the new Star-Advertiser — and some of us could not. (I was asked, just in case you’re wondering.)

That makes this the last week for all bloggers; The Advertiser Web site will shut down on Sunday.

There were six of us who started blogging for The Advertiser four years ago: Stephen Tsai, Treena Shapiro, Jerry Burris, Dave Shapiro, Dan Nakaso and me. …

And it’s been quite a journey. Tsai’s blog hit astronomical heights, even supporting massive blog get-togethers, one at the Stan Sheriff Center.

😎 😆

Matt,

Mahalo for your service to our country.

you=your. Sheesh.

re-230 blog days are numbered

it’s over. in a way it’s good. some of you need to smell the roses. pay more attention to your families. or even start families, instead of being compulsive bloggers.

Garret – #34 – couple of problems translating that to UH:
1) UH doesn’t control the stadium
2) UH can’t hold functions at SSC without prior approval of the CITY.
Such is life in the land of bureaucracy. 😈

bg808 –

Dunno all the specifics, but current HA staff is under the “transition” company at the moment and “can be fired at will”. SB staff is currently under a union contract which I guess says they will be retained.

Have found it interesting that, for the most part, the HA has not covered the merger.

Just noticed that yesterday’s story on the Wahine win is listed as one of “Most Sent Stories on ESPN.com” 😀

Just checked ESPN’s Baseball schedule. As of right now, only 2 regionals are listed as being televised – Fullerton & Coral Gables. WTH?

Whoosh

From a bama blog:
‘Whoosh

Posted by wboarmlad
May 31, 2010, 9:15PM
Keith in ala, if a team loses two out of 3 games, it pretty much means that the better team won. I am a true ‘Bama fan, however, the girls lost. And to be honest, if you can’t defend your home field, especially 2 out of three trys, you need to lost. I give the Hawaiian team lots of props because they played much harder bracket to get here, where as ‘bama, had it super easy playing cream teams. Alabama was well rested and they was playing at home There is no excuse for Alabama losing. In my opinion, the better team won. Alabama got out coached and out played. I suppose they was thinking that Hawaii flew over 6 hours to get to Alabama just to lose: they came to play. And Alabama should have been just as ready if not more so. Especially being a number one seed. They should have known that Hawaii came to play. They didn’t know, but they are at home just like me, they know now because Hawaii is still playing softball.”

congrats to HPU.

With the great pitchers we have, had my thought about Justine Smethurst. Wonder what she’s thinking.

WAC Commissioner’s Cup standings not updated for bb yet.
Just a thought, but shouldn’t teams get more points for how well they do AFTER the conference tournaments? 😀

Hilorain #102,i was going to mention the UH/Air Force game too. the details slip my mind though. at that time it was SWEET!

Al #156, i did write to ESPN during the game telling them that our field was 200 down the lines and all around. our Manoa air is heavy with all the moisture from the rains, and we are at sea level or just a few feet above. easy homeruns? NOT! the softbows made it look easy. btw, any body know how many home runs did our opponents hit against us? Kazz?

The Missouri Tigers are quite an impressive team. They come into the World Series short of the press and attention of Alabama, but they pose a similar threat. As a team they are:

If Bob Coolen thought Sunday May 31st 2010 was one of the happiest days of his life, the best is still yet to be realized.

bowsfan, isn’t she eligible to return to UH cause she left to play for her national team??? but, I don’t think she will return. same case as wilkens.

Just saw video at UH website with Majam and Grimes. Wahine at Oklahoma. Majam said they are the best. I agree.

“Excited to be here with the best and we are the best” – Kelly Majam

bowsfan:

May 31st, 2010 at 6:17 pm
With the great pitchers we have, had my thought about Justine Smethurst. Wonder what she’s thinking.

I think Smethurst would have been a senior this season if she returned to Manoa in the 2009 season.

Papajoe2,

Honestly I don’t know what the exact number is but to have 50 homers scored against you with half of the games played at home, you can get an inkling that our home field dimensions of 200 feet all the way around do NOT play a factor favoring opposing teams cranking it over the fence.

Wilkens couldn’t return to Hawaii because she accepted money from the Aussies to stay home and concentrate on the Australian National team. Not sure if Smethurst went the same route. Sallings and Lawrie of Washington and Jen Lee of Ga Tech took a year off to play for the Canadians.

….nor are HR’s a part of real softball!

Yup,

All the videos are available at hawaiiathletics.com. You’ll see them on the front page.

Also I didn’t notice it, but they included a video of the post game press conference.

BIG UPS TO KARA NISHIMURA FOR KEEPING US AT HOME CONNECTED WITH THE WAHINE AND TO PAKA BELLO WITH THE BOWS!!!

CT and D1,

Now c’mon, Michele Smith was 100% unbiased and gave the Wahine the right amount of respect they deserved….

🙄

Kazz – Cmon now … moving the mound back a foot … a harder softball core … and high tech bats … give an unfair advantage to the offense … when is enough … enough … geez … maybe women’s sports should go back to skirts and wooden golf clubs and tennis racquets …

Ralph,

Apparently accepting money wasn’t the case for Smethurst. I only read that it was her choice to focus on softball back home.

So I am pretty sure she didn’t get her degree at UH.

Count down has begun as only 6 more days for me to log on to http://www.hon.com! so sad, so sad!

on the other hand, I will be able to get more work done quickly and leave the office as though as I am “semi-retired” – boy oh boy, Vegas here I come!!!

duffer,
duffer,
duffer,

mele.com says the Moe Keale CD you are looking for is “No Longer Available”. I don’t think I have that CD. Sorry.

You might put a post up on craigslist.com asking if anyone has it for sale.

Kazz…maybe before this series is over you might have to trade in your “bath tub” for a Love Boat!..

ST,

I thought the NCAA pays for national championship rings only?

The Wahine HAVE to be more disciplined in their hitting. While they did beat Alabama with 16 strikeouts, sooner or later, it will come back to haunt you.

Slugger,

Thanks, I did visit a few sites with no results.

Nottelmann didn’t throw that hard, and she doesn’t have the change like Dunne. Her location isn’t as good as Dunne. So UH can sit on her riser and wait for their pitch. She is not a strike out pitcher which benefits Hawaii, if Hawaii batters are patient and not swing at high risers and ankle high drops, they’ll hit her.

looking ahead…

first of all, kaia parnaby was the real most valuable player in the super regionals. she may not have registered the wins, but, she came through when she was called upon. this true freshman may have given up some runs both games, but, she kept us in it for the most part when our “ace” was under the weather and really needed the rest. we would not have gotten to the dance without her.

now comes the csws. parnaby is no longer a rookie. great. ricketts got some well deserved rest. this righty-lefty two women staff will again play a big part in our success.

the top of the lineup will continue its success, i have no doubt about it.

the key to the csws will be our 5-6-7 batters. aguirre, pu’u-warren, and tauali’i must contribute at the plate for us to succeed.

the secondary key will be defense. we must play error free ball. no second opportunities for our opponents.

finally, the team must not be overcome with just being there at the csws. they must continue to practice, lift weights, and do all the little things it took for them to get there in the first place. they must not be starstruck with the csws aura that suurounds them.

they gotta believe that not only do they belong there, but rather, that they can win this thing.

…nuff said.

I’m watching the recording of the OR-Mizzou game on Sunday. Mizzou has a player, Nicole Hudson, who is fast on the bases like Braud. My niece who just graduated from HS yesterday is Nicole Hudson. Makes me do a double-take every time I hear that name. Don’t know if I can stay up to watch this game; I continued recording this game after the UH-Alabama game. Can’t make errors with the Mizzou team on base.

I think our girls need to work on picking up some speed in running…or just hit homers in order to give them lots of time to run the bases.

last year Missouri eliminated UCLA in the super regional. In 2007 UH eliminated UCLA in the regional.

Slugger ~ Tell your niece to go to OKC and claim that the other ‘Nicole’ is a fraud! Stir up some chet. With the media hounding their AD for some answers, it’ll cause a distraction for the Misery team.

Meanwhile we continue to crank ’em outta da park, while we keep their slap happy batters from getting on base.

Seriously tho…if any of you noticed, our defense has improved on picking up grounders and getting the ball to 1st base quicker.

Ok…TreeHunert ‘n wun!

sorry kekoa.
took a long nap and got up.

Idaho’s Athletic Director seems to believe that BSU will go to the MWC and says that the WAC should add Montana. He also says that La Tech is looking to leave the WAC, so the WAC will need to add at least one team if BSU leaves.

On what he thinks the Mountain West will do:

“Look at the Mountain West adding Boise State. Does that make their conference better? Absolutely. We’ve been pretty close with the Mountain West and probably last year they pulled ahead. The separation between the Mountain West and the other four coalition conferences, with the addition of Boise State, widens tremendously. Does that position them, with that separation, to convince somebody to take them into the BCS? If it does, then I think Boise State does bring a lot of value.”

On what happens to the WAC if Boise State leaves:

“Having an eight-team league would be doable. But you have to be very aware of having Louisiana Tech out there and if they have an opportunity to move, it makes geographic sense for them to do so.”

On whether the WAC should pursue Montana as a new member:

“I think they’d be a nice addition to our league.”

I still think that the WAC should merge with the WCC, even if they don’t have fb participation cause they offer solid basketball/baseball programs.

Great Morning All!

I guess the theme song for the WCWS might be this blast from the past…

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sYJhhKSXOBo

Good morning Tsaikos.

IMHO the area Na Wahine need to work on is their fielding, granted that they have made some great great plays but they also have made some big error’s, which in this caliber of play can mean a lost. With both Parnaby an Ricketts in good health we should be ok.

troll- why not call in and say something. Make a difference.

bc’s show is his show, this is the Tsaikos, not the bc show.

Good morning, gangeez!

#300 – Kekoa,

My niece, Nicole Hudson, played in the outfield (bench player) for St. Francis’ softball team. I’m sure she’d enjoy going to OKC to stir it up.

I watched the last inning of the OR-Mizzou game that I had recorded from Sunday. I think we can hit Nottlemann.

Listening to Coach Coolen…

Troll-
Good point(s)

This is why professional talk show hosts in radio work with prep sheets.

Keeps them to a format time table, and that’s why the best have the top ratings.

#326 Slugger

Na Wahine can and will hit Nottlemann.

Good Morning All! Hope everyone had a good holiday weekend. Watching J-Rod’s homer was definitely sweet. Have a good week everybody!

TK,

If I did call I say to BC why not invite the espn announcers on the show

makes sense, no?

personally he’s harping on the espn announcers where it coming to nauseating

I wonder if President Obama called to congratulate HPU on their bb win??

#333 jm2375

My bad I forgot that he raised the stakes = Kazz ($280.00): = Kazz ($380.00)

Aloha Kakahiaka!

HiHo and GOOOOO UH!!!

Good Morning Gangeez! 🙂 🙂 🙂

WOMEN’S COLLEGE WORLD SERIES
Double-elimination

THURSDAY
» Missouri (51-11) vs. Hawaii (49-14), 7 a.m. (ESPN)
» UCLA (45-11) vs. Florida (48-8), 9:30 a.m.
» Arizona (48-11) vs. Tennessee (47-13), 1 p.m.
» Georgia (48-11) vs. Washington (50-7), 3:30 p.m.

IF UH WINS THURSDAY
» Hawaii vs. UCLA/Florida winner, 1 p.m. Friday (ESPN)

IF UH LOSES THURSDAY
» Hawaii vs. UCLA/Florida loser, 6 a.m., Saturday (ESPN2)

Whew! Da blog still works! 🙂

#343
I was wondering about the blog too.
Almost an hour without any comments,
not natural for our gang

Where’s our fearless leader’s comments for the first day of June?

JM*&%$

The silence was deafening!

Kinda like how it was for 5 seconds after J-Rod cranked that last shot! 😆

ST- i hope you are on your way to Oklahomer. i was wondering why this blog is still on yesterdays. OH oh. i hope everything is alright with you.

jm2376:

and, who do you think is behind those administators and dept heads?

matter of factly, when is the union NOT behind anything?

what role did they play in not allowing UH to have “outside” events at the SSC and no $$$ to UH at Aloha Stadium on game day?

if the State and/or CC of Honolulu will allow events, that will certainly help the financial situation at UH – upper and lower campus!!! Hope upper campus realizes that the stronger the athletic programs, the greater its chances of being better off financially!

Looks like they’re tinkering with the main website. Tried to read the Breaking News story on Wazzou in the DH Classic. Takes you to the Site Map page…

Yup – hope ST is going to Okie City..
Anyone got a pic of that Teddy Bear???

HiHo

That’s our Davonne Bess… from the words of Colt we paraphrase and can say… “We like the person he’s become.” .. yeah..

Wahine and fans- take a lesson and stay humble and work hard. I think this is how you spell B-A-C-H-I:

http://img717.imageshack.us/i/super20regional20tidema.jpg/

Timmy Chang inducted in a College Football Hall of Fame?
http://www.collegefantasyfootballinsider.com/article/16637/Hall-of-Fame-Inductee-Timmy-Chang

If the SEC is able to add Texas and Texas A&M, they will have succeeded in doing what they tried to do in 1991.

Vince Dooley, Georgia’s athletic director from 1979-2004 and a member of the College Football Hall of Fame, told Florida Today recently that the conference almost added Texas and Texas A&M in 1991. That’s when the league added Arkansas and South Carolina to create the first conference championship game for BCS schools.

“You had to have both of them,” Dooley said. “I think A&M, of the two, showed the most interest and it was a good possibility, had Texas been able to do it. But at that particular time, probably politics more than anything else (stopped it).”

That political maneuvering, Dooley said, came from the state of Texas – not the SEC. He felt like Texas A&M was ready to make the jump.

“It was a goal (of SEC officials) anyway, let’s put it that way,” Dooley said of trying Texas and Texas A&M. “It worked out fine. A&M was more interested but you had to have both and they had to have both to go.”

NorthShoreFan,

Yep.. gotta stay humble..stay hungry.. stay focused… feet on the ground and hope the other guy’s heads get in their own way. … GO WAHINE!

Bess and RGM notes from practice.

Dolphins WR Davone Bess said he lined up more outside than he did at slot during today’s OTA session.

If I had to guess, Kory Sheets and Ryan Grice-Mullen are the team’s fastest KOR options. Both can move, but can they elude.

Greg Camarillo and Brian Hartline continue to work as the Dolphins’ starting receivers with Davone Bess and Julius Pruitt as their backups.

Wyoming’s commit today is looking forward to playing in a conference with Utah, TCU, and *BSU*. The Texas high school that he’s from now has at least 3 D-IA recruits in their secondary.

He’s going to be one of at least three Division One recruits in the Red Raiders secondary and is excited about Lee’s upcoming 2010 schedule, “Man, we’ve got some of the best to play, starting with Euless Trinity,” Reese continued, “And, I’ll be playing against some great competition while at Wyoming in an up and coming conference against Utah, T.C.U., Boise State and others.”

Teammate Cortland Browning has already committed to Missouri and Marvin Gray is looking seriously at several Division One schools, including Illinois, “We were told the secondary was going to be the strength of our defense and we’re up to the challenge and ready to do some great things next season, and now–none of us will have to worry about where we’re going to play in college.”

troll…good article. das y i like sports…everyone has a chance to win and sometimes the ‘david’s” of the sport do win…
Bama has nothing to be ashamed of.. i know this tournament will increase their resolve for a better season next year. They do have the resources to do it.. Choke freshmen on the team and some good returning players and lots of resources.
Dunne is a class act. super competive and intense but respectful of the game after its over.

New post up

Aloha Everybody!

I post today, after an extended absence from posting, with mixed emotions.

I’m part of the absolutely exhilarated host of UH fans who whooped it up in unbridled, unrestrained joy at the unbelievable success of the HPU softballers’ National Championship, the UH Wahine softballers’ two-in-a-row victories over #1 seeded Alabama, and the Baseball Bows’ long-overdue victory of nemesis Fresno.

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES TO ALL THESE FINE ATHLETES AND COACHES!! Keep on winning!!

I’m deeply saddened, however, at the impending demise of The Advertiser and the end of what has become such an important part of the lives of not only the A-House ohana, but for hundreds of others as well…not having Stephen Tsai’s Warrior Beat Blog to peruse daily.

I wanted to be sure I had the opportunity to express my thoughts as the final days of this beloved blog approach. I wish to express my sincere thanks to Stephen, Leila, Ferd, Mike and the countless other hard-working, dedicated, excellent professionals who made the Honolulu Advertiser Hawaii’s #1 newspaper…hands down.

I have thoroughly enjoyed every day of the existence of The Honolulu Advertiser and the Warrior Beat Blog. I sincerely wish all the employees good luck in whatever future endeavors they may wish to pursue.

LOL = Lots of love from Mrs. A-House

mrs. ahouse….but, but, the warrior beat blog will live on at the new star-advertiser.