It’s time to choose who will be the new UHH AD. Trumbo, McNally era ends a new begins. The current financial situation for UHH Athletics is in dire need of fixing and repairing. The current economic woes with tourism dollars shrinking will add to the current problem. Now, not knowing too much about the other two finalists it would be hard to ascertain if they are good choices. However, we believe Bob Wagner make the most sense. The current AD will have to be a fund raiser. NO and if or buts. Now there was a lot of excitement that Kathleen McNally brought when she was hired from the mainland and there were expectations of her as a major fundraiser. However, those expectations came up short.
We know Hawaii is in the middle of the pacific with its different business cultural environment and practices. Majority of the businesses are smaller in general. Hence, who better to gather the allegiance of the business community than a former UH Coach Bob Wagner. Wagner has the ties on the Big Island due to him being a resident here at Kamehameha. He has a presence, and who could forget him giving us victories over BYU!
He still has ties with NA KOA the UH Warrior Football Boosters and many business owners on Oahu. In addition, I assume he has made a few friends with Kamehameha Schools and Bishop Estate. He has more experience than the interim AD, and will run a good ship. He is a known quantity with a lot of connections and friends. A brand new AD from the mainland is not the sensible solution in this economic situation; it will take 3-4 years for a new mainland AD to establish business connections.
UHH better not drop this pass or fumble this situation by making the same mistake twice. Let’s move to put Bob Wagner in charge of the UHH athletic department for the betterment of UHH Athletics and the community!
Wednesday, December 31, 2008
Friday, December 26, 2008
Free Market System Destroying Sports In America
As news spread of Mark Teixeira signing a big contract with the New York Yankees, sports fans wondered how far is this going to go? America is the land of opportunity and free enterprise. No longer do you have to manage a good ball club to build an empire. You do it with business savvy. Now we know that the Yankees signing of the big three of Sabathia, Burnett, and now Teixeira doesn't guarantee a championship, right?
But it does guarantee people in the seats, and a ton of merchandise. A lineup that will be similar to an all star team. Adding those three to an already stacked team will make the E Empire the envy of modern sports. It seems that this move is risky business if the Yankees don't win the championship, they already have. Not the world series type but the revenue champion. You see, clearly all the young impressional generation coming up will start to join the dark side. When they become buying units as adults, the empire wins in the form of merchandising and allegiance.
Get them while they are young. Advertisers and sponsors will follow also. The salaries owners are dishing out have outpaced inflation so much it reminds me of everything that is surrounding our economic circumstance. A BIG FREE MARKET BUBBLE that must contract somewhere, sometime in the near future. We saw it in the internet, real estate, mortgages, and now sports. Something has to give. Fans can not go on indefinitely supporting the money that goes into sports.
College sports is big business, there are a few institutions and conferences that monopolize the money and keep the power in their grasps. Is this what college sports should be about. With the advent of cable tv and now high definition, revenue from these delivery systems will endow these schools and conferences even more. Advertisers, however will be curtailed as the economy slows down. Advertisers are the ones that foot the bill for College sports. Consumers buying these advertiser's products are what is driving the revenue.
If the economy slows down, then this may cause a domino effect, causing revenue in professional sports and college sports to a screaching halt. Hence another bubble burst, then how are those salaries going to get paid? Capitulation, reverting back to sanely salaries that made sense. Time for sports in America to get back on track and figure out - why we play the game? Money sometimes yes, but insane money, no!
But it does guarantee people in the seats, and a ton of merchandise. A lineup that will be similar to an all star team. Adding those three to an already stacked team will make the E Empire the envy of modern sports. It seems that this move is risky business if the Yankees don't win the championship, they already have. Not the world series type but the revenue champion. You see, clearly all the young impressional generation coming up will start to join the dark side. When they become buying units as adults, the empire wins in the form of merchandising and allegiance.
Get them while they are young. Advertisers and sponsors will follow also. The salaries owners are dishing out have outpaced inflation so much it reminds me of everything that is surrounding our economic circumstance. A BIG FREE MARKET BUBBLE that must contract somewhere, sometime in the near future. We saw it in the internet, real estate, mortgages, and now sports. Something has to give. Fans can not go on indefinitely supporting the money that goes into sports.
College sports is big business, there are a few institutions and conferences that monopolize the money and keep the power in their grasps. Is this what college sports should be about. With the advent of cable tv and now high definition, revenue from these delivery systems will endow these schools and conferences even more. Advertisers, however will be curtailed as the economy slows down. Advertisers are the ones that foot the bill for College sports. Consumers buying these advertiser's products are what is driving the revenue.
If the economy slows down, then this may cause a domino effect, causing revenue in professional sports and college sports to a screaching halt. Hence another bubble burst, then how are those salaries going to get paid? Capitulation, reverting back to sanely salaries that made sense. Time for sports in America to get back on track and figure out - why we play the game? Money sometimes yes, but insane money, no!
Tuesday, December 2, 2008
Two Former Hawaii Football Heroes Tied To UH Offense
It was a spectacular week for two familiar faces of Hawaii Football. Paul Johnson, head coach of Georgia Tech and Oregon’s QB Jeremiah Masoli.
Now, let’s start with Paul Johnson, if you were a die hard fan of the Rainbows back in the 80 -90’s you remember Johnson as the offensive coordinator for Bob Wagner’s offense. Wagner’s most heralded move in his UH coaching career. Johnson’s spread option offense made a spectacle of the WAC’s defenses. It became the savior that would take UH fans and the program to the next level. To be the best in the WAC you had to beat BYU, and until then you were just second rate. Well, then came Johnson’s coveted offense. The offense that had won Johnson a couple of National Championships at Georgia Southern, an offense that helped defeat BYU, not once, but twice and pushed UH Football into another stratosphere. Something Dick Tomey, Wagner’s predecessor could not achieve. Oh they came close so many times...
When Wagner left UH so did Paul. He found greener pastures at Navy. Unfortunately for Wagner he ended up at UTEP. Johnson took a mediocre program and turned it into a winner. Beating their armed forces rivals year in and year out. He had an astounding 11-1 record versus Army and Air Force. Oh by the way he also led a mediocre team to defeat Notre Dame. Fast Forward to 2008, taking a Georgia Tech Team that was supposed to have a losing season and finish at best in the middle of the ACC. On Saturday facing the preseason number one team, the Rambling Wreck side railed a proud Georgia team.
A proud Georgia program that exalted over rated jeers at UH in the 08 Sugar Bowl. Johnson has taken the GT offense with no seniors to number one in offense in the ACC averaging 377 yards and 3rd nationally in Rushing Offense (282). GT ended a seven year losing hiatus to Georgia, sound familiar? Johnson is in the discussions as possible national coach of the year (already been named ACC coach of the year). He has our vote. Skip to several years in UH offense (please exclude the Von Oppen era) to June Jones. Jones offense was different than the spread option attack of Johnson, and relied more on the pass versus the run. I believe in college sports you have to practice crop rotation. If you stay too long in one type of offense the conference figures out how to stop your attack and you head to mediocrity. Hence, bring in the option, then rotate to the run and shoot and then back to the option etc......
What about this Masoli, who is he? Born of Samoan ancestry grew up in Northern California, started as an offensive lineman but later converted to quarterback. His family later moved to Honolulu. He played Quarterback for St. Louis sharing time with Cameron Higgins now at Weber State, Masoli was also a Hawaii all state basketball player. After graduating from St Louis he went on to play at City College of San Francisco.
Wait, this Masoli story kind of ties it all together. June Jones tried to recruit Masoli as a defensive back, but Masoli was determined to play QB. Masoli led the City College of San Francisco to a National Junior College Championship in 2007 and threw for 3,065 yards and 26 touchdowns and 349 completions. He would then transfer to Oregon and fight for a right to play among half a dozen good qb prospects. Coming out of camp he was not a starter but someone high on the depth chart.
After some injuries to their starters the Ducks inserted Masoli and the rest is history. He has earned his spot. This Saturday in the biggest game of the season for Oregon and Oregon State, Masoli completed 7 for 11 passes, 274 yards and 3 touchdowns leading the ducks to a 65-38 win.
Wait how is Masoli tied to this story. Doesn’t City College of San Francisco sound familiar? Isn’t that the JC where Nick Rolovich went to and set several passing records and spent the last couple of years coaching and grooming JC QB’s to four year programs? The same Nick Rolovich that set some UH records and is the current QB coach at UH? Yes, it is and now you know the rest of the story……
Now, let’s start with Paul Johnson, if you were a die hard fan of the Rainbows back in the 80 -90’s you remember Johnson as the offensive coordinator for Bob Wagner’s offense. Wagner’s most heralded move in his UH coaching career. Johnson’s spread option offense made a spectacle of the WAC’s defenses. It became the savior that would take UH fans and the program to the next level. To be the best in the WAC you had to beat BYU, and until then you were just second rate. Well, then came Johnson’s coveted offense. The offense that had won Johnson a couple of National Championships at Georgia Southern, an offense that helped defeat BYU, not once, but twice and pushed UH Football into another stratosphere. Something Dick Tomey, Wagner’s predecessor could not achieve. Oh they came close so many times...
When Wagner left UH so did Paul. He found greener pastures at Navy. Unfortunately for Wagner he ended up at UTEP. Johnson took a mediocre program and turned it into a winner. Beating their armed forces rivals year in and year out. He had an astounding 11-1 record versus Army and Air Force. Oh by the way he also led a mediocre team to defeat Notre Dame. Fast Forward to 2008, taking a Georgia Tech Team that was supposed to have a losing season and finish at best in the middle of the ACC. On Saturday facing the preseason number one team, the Rambling Wreck side railed a proud Georgia team.
A proud Georgia program that exalted over rated jeers at UH in the 08 Sugar Bowl. Johnson has taken the GT offense with no seniors to number one in offense in the ACC averaging 377 yards and 3rd nationally in Rushing Offense (282). GT ended a seven year losing hiatus to Georgia, sound familiar? Johnson is in the discussions as possible national coach of the year (already been named ACC coach of the year). He has our vote. Skip to several years in UH offense (please exclude the Von Oppen era) to June Jones. Jones offense was different than the spread option attack of Johnson, and relied more on the pass versus the run. I believe in college sports you have to practice crop rotation. If you stay too long in one type of offense the conference figures out how to stop your attack and you head to mediocrity. Hence, bring in the option, then rotate to the run and shoot and then back to the option etc......
What about this Masoli, who is he? Born of Samoan ancestry grew up in Northern California, started as an offensive lineman but later converted to quarterback. His family later moved to Honolulu. He played Quarterback for St. Louis sharing time with Cameron Higgins now at Weber State, Masoli was also a Hawaii all state basketball player. After graduating from St Louis he went on to play at City College of San Francisco.
Wait, this Masoli story kind of ties it all together. June Jones tried to recruit Masoli as a defensive back, but Masoli was determined to play QB. Masoli led the City College of San Francisco to a National Junior College Championship in 2007 and threw for 3,065 yards and 26 touchdowns and 349 completions. He would then transfer to Oregon and fight for a right to play among half a dozen good qb prospects. Coming out of camp he was not a starter but someone high on the depth chart.
After some injuries to their starters the Ducks inserted Masoli and the rest is history. He has earned his spot. This Saturday in the biggest game of the season for Oregon and Oregon State, Masoli completed 7 for 11 passes, 274 yards and 3 touchdowns leading the ducks to a 65-38 win.
Wait how is Masoli tied to this story. Doesn’t City College of San Francisco sound familiar? Isn’t that the JC where Nick Rolovich went to and set several passing records and spent the last couple of years coaching and grooming JC QB’s to four year programs? The same Nick Rolovich that set some UH records and is the current QB coach at UH? Yes, it is and now you know the rest of the story……
Saturday, November 8, 2008
They're Grrreat!!
The Waipio Baseball Little League World Champions are featured on the cereal box Frosted Flakes-by Kellogg’s. Tony the Tiger step aside here are the gentlemen from Hawaii. Go get your collectors items now! Wow, we could not resist the urge to buy a box. KTA superstores have a coupon you can get it for $3.99 a box. We bought one just to support the efforts by Kellogg’s. Great idea, I don’t think they are related to the Wheaties box or General Mills. Also support Brian Clay who is featured on the Wheaties box that features himself and US Gymnast Nastia Liukin.
The Clay and Waipio story could never get old for us here in Hawaii. Ten years from now, you could probably get a cool hundred dollars for the boxes. Not a bad investment for $3.99. But we bought just to support little league and Bryan, so next year Kellogg’s will do it again. Oh by the way, the back of the Kellogg’s box is cool too. They feature all the regional little league champions. Go get them while supplies last. GO Bryan and Waipio!!
The Clay and Waipio story could never get old for us here in Hawaii. Ten years from now, you could probably get a cool hundred dollars for the boxes. Not a bad investment for $3.99. But we bought just to support little league and Bryan, so next year Kellogg’s will do it again. Oh by the way, the back of the Kellogg’s box is cool too. They feature all the regional little league champions. Go get them while supplies last. GO Bryan and Waipio!!
Thursday, October 16, 2008
Flyin Hawaiian Doin It In Fine Style
The pointing at dad in the 6th row as he began his trot around the bases after blasting a game changing grand slam, a proud father with welled up eyes as tears rolled down his face, yes, as the father’s memories flashed before him. All those years of trudging down the baseball fields on Maui, becoming a volunteer coach, league officer, fundraiser, or a parent who felt obligated to do whatever it was to make the community better. The Victorinos are putting Hawaii again on the baseball map. Shane Victorino is just having a grand season.
Michael Victorino who left Hilo nearly 30 years ago to make a better life for him is living on cloud nine. A very busy worker. he’s been an Insurance agent, board of education reperesentative, and now councilman. Earlier in the season, he flew up to see Shane when they played against the Oakland Athletics with Kurt Suzuki catching. He could not miss two Maui boys doing it in Oakland. It wasn’t long ago when an Oahu team from Waipio shocked the little league world in capturing the coveted title of World Champion. Also the Junior Little league world runner up Hilo team garnered and upped Hawaii as a state with quality baseball players.
Benny Agbayani and Sid Fernandez were the last Hawaii impact players to take center stage in the World Series. Shane Victorino has shown that he plays with a passion for the game and has produced. The whole state is now watching with much interest. Sales of Victorino jerseys will now be soaring with young Hawaii kids wearing them proudly. The states MLB team will now be the Phillys akin to the state adopting the San Francisco 49ers in the 80’s when players with Hawaii ties Joe Montana, Jesse Sapolu, Dana Mclemore, and Verlon Redd lined up.
Maui Na Ka Oi as they say, yes indeed………
Michael Victorino who left Hilo nearly 30 years ago to make a better life for him is living on cloud nine. A very busy worker. he’s been an Insurance agent, board of education reperesentative, and now councilman. Earlier in the season, he flew up to see Shane when they played against the Oakland Athletics with Kurt Suzuki catching. He could not miss two Maui boys doing it in Oakland. It wasn’t long ago when an Oahu team from Waipio shocked the little league world in capturing the coveted title of World Champion. Also the Junior Little league world runner up Hilo team garnered and upped Hawaii as a state with quality baseball players.
Benny Agbayani and Sid Fernandez were the last Hawaii impact players to take center stage in the World Series. Shane Victorino has shown that he plays with a passion for the game and has produced. The whole state is now watching with much interest. Sales of Victorino jerseys will now be soaring with young Hawaii kids wearing them proudly. The states MLB team will now be the Phillys akin to the state adopting the San Francisco 49ers in the 80’s when players with Hawaii ties Joe Montana, Jesse Sapolu, Dana Mclemore, and Verlon Redd lined up.
Maui Na Ka Oi as they say, yes indeed………
Friday, September 26, 2008
Size Does Matter
Size in this case was an advantage. Were talking about all of 5-6 Oregon State Running Back Jacquizz Rodgers. Rodgers ran all over USC in the Beavers upset on September 25. Jacquizz finished with 185 yards on what was supposed to be one of the best USC defenses in years.
Jacquizz was a Houston Prep legend rushing for more than 6,760 yards in three years in Rosenberg Texas. He is listed as 185 lbs and runs a 4.6 or 4.5-40 yard dash, not lightning fast but pretty quick. In the game versus the Trojans, Jacquizz used his smaller size to hide behind his big line and then spun or jetted through on some stutter or misdirection moves. Just when you thought USC had him behind the line he squirted through like a slippery bar of soap for 6-8 yards. Only a freshman, Jacquizz could become the next running back to capture the hearts of all the undersized football players across the nation.
How could you not root for someone like him. Will Jacquizz stop here? Or will he go on to larger things. Especially if the Beavers attack relies solely on run first and pass second. Jacquizz definitely plays the game with a passion and is fun to watch. Maybe the PAC-10 has found it’s bright spot. The PAC-10 needs a star like Jacquizz after a not so spectacular non conference start this year.
Jacquizz was a Houston Prep legend rushing for more than 6,760 yards in three years in Rosenberg Texas. He is listed as 185 lbs and runs a 4.6 or 4.5-40 yard dash, not lightning fast but pretty quick. In the game versus the Trojans, Jacquizz used his smaller size to hide behind his big line and then spun or jetted through on some stutter or misdirection moves. Just when you thought USC had him behind the line he squirted through like a slippery bar of soap for 6-8 yards. Only a freshman, Jacquizz could become the next running back to capture the hearts of all the undersized football players across the nation.
How could you not root for someone like him. Will Jacquizz stop here? Or will he go on to larger things. Especially if the Beavers attack relies solely on run first and pass second. Jacquizz definitely plays the game with a passion and is fun to watch. Maybe the PAC-10 has found it’s bright spot. The PAC-10 needs a star like Jacquizz after a not so spectacular non conference start this year.
Saturday, August 30, 2008
BIIF Loses A Big Asset
Father Kenneth Bray who was one of Iolani's monumental coaches of the past believed in playing as one team, a philosophy still being taught at the school. Ken Yamase believed in that philosophy and cited it when teaching the American Sports Education Program's (ASEP) Coaching Principles class. Most of the BIIF coaches had to take the class to be certified to coach in the BIIF.
Yamase would cite Bray's philosophy "Respect yourself and others, play as one with unity, loyalty and humility. A philosophy he says he believed in and practiced. He challenged each coach to develop a coaching philosophy and adhere to it. Yamase who died while diving in Puako, August 28, 2008 was a big asset that the BIIF lost. Under his leadership as the BIIF executive director things got done and moved along. Yamase spoke out recently at the HHSAA meeting citing a discrepancy in the way the body weighs making decisions. Under current methods he stated the larger leagues had a substantial advantage due to their weight in the voting process.
Respect yourself and others
Yamase was a BIIF Director that had a very open door policy. He would address your concern or question and listen intently. His answer to you would be justified by the "WHY". Usually his explanation made things clearer and usually answered your question. Yamase would get back to everyone either in writing, office invitation or phone call. This equal respect to everyone, regardless of complaint, or concern was how Yamase conducted his business. People got answers or assistance quick and prompt a characteristic of Yamase that made him known as a doer.
Play as One with Unity
Yamase also believed in having everyone involved in the BIIF. He got the media together every quarter and made a champions banquet for all the BIIF champion athletes. His vision was to bring everyone closer as a unit with unity. Yamase groomed his baseball teams also as a unit. He would make no exceptions for being late. If you were late you could not practice. In some cases, if it was a practice before a game and if a player missed that practice that player would not start. He would mention that late players would be running with shoes in hand and jumping over fences just to make it in time. An urgency you do not see today.
Play with loyalty and humility
Yamase also believed in loyalty, he was very loyal to Waiakea High School and was very prideful to the school. When he was AD there, he had built it into one of the most successful athletic programs in the BIIF. If you walk into the Waiakea Gym and pass their trophy showcase and wall of fame, you see that pride built with Yamase's passion and loyalty. Yamase usually expressed his dislike for arrogance in coaching and in education. Sometimes he would comment about that in his coaching class. Win with dignity and humility, in other words be humble. A mantra passed on from generations past that he practiced. Although some people misinterpreted his busy moving personality as being aloof, you got a different person when you spoke to him personally.
Yamase built a legacy as a coach, athletic director and a league executive. In his tenure at all positions things were not all perfect and there were some players, coaches and administrators that did not understand his philosophy. But Yamase adhered to his philosophy because he knew it was right thing to do and would benefit the league, school or team the best.
Yamase would cite Bray's philosophy "Respect yourself and others, play as one with unity, loyalty and humility. A philosophy he says he believed in and practiced. He challenged each coach to develop a coaching philosophy and adhere to it. Yamase who died while diving in Puako, August 28, 2008 was a big asset that the BIIF lost. Under his leadership as the BIIF executive director things got done and moved along. Yamase spoke out recently at the HHSAA meeting citing a discrepancy in the way the body weighs making decisions. Under current methods he stated the larger leagues had a substantial advantage due to their weight in the voting process.
Respect yourself and others
Yamase was a BIIF Director that had a very open door policy. He would address your concern or question and listen intently. His answer to you would be justified by the "WHY". Usually his explanation made things clearer and usually answered your question. Yamase would get back to everyone either in writing, office invitation or phone call. This equal respect to everyone, regardless of complaint, or concern was how Yamase conducted his business. People got answers or assistance quick and prompt a characteristic of Yamase that made him known as a doer.
Play as One with Unity
Yamase also believed in having everyone involved in the BIIF. He got the media together every quarter and made a champions banquet for all the BIIF champion athletes. His vision was to bring everyone closer as a unit with unity. Yamase groomed his baseball teams also as a unit. He would make no exceptions for being late. If you were late you could not practice. In some cases, if it was a practice before a game and if a player missed that practice that player would not start. He would mention that late players would be running with shoes in hand and jumping over fences just to make it in time. An urgency you do not see today.
Play with loyalty and humility
Yamase also believed in loyalty, he was very loyal to Waiakea High School and was very prideful to the school. When he was AD there, he had built it into one of the most successful athletic programs in the BIIF. If you walk into the Waiakea Gym and pass their trophy showcase and wall of fame, you see that pride built with Yamase's passion and loyalty. Yamase usually expressed his dislike for arrogance in coaching and in education. Sometimes he would comment about that in his coaching class. Win with dignity and humility, in other words be humble. A mantra passed on from generations past that he practiced. Although some people misinterpreted his busy moving personality as being aloof, you got a different person when you spoke to him personally.
Yamase built a legacy as a coach, athletic director and a league executive. In his tenure at all positions things were not all perfect and there were some players, coaches and administrators that did not understand his philosophy. But Yamase adhered to his philosophy because he knew it was right thing to do and would benefit the league, school or team the best.
Monday, August 25, 2008
Hawaii Athletes Makes the Most in August
08 / 08 will be remembered in Hawaii Sports Lore for a long time. 08 is a good luck number in the Asian Culture. Hawaii being populated with more Asians than any other state made a splash of their own in some of the headline sports. In the Olympics, homegrown Brian Clay captured gold in the Decathlon, a phenomenal feat for any American. Natasha Kai and Clay Stanley also captured gold in Womens Soccer and Mens Volleyball. By the way all three are products of public schools. (Castle, Kahuku and Kaiser). Some former Hawaii and Rainbow Volleyball Wahines got silver for their accomplishments including Heather Bown, Robyn Ah Mow-Santos, Lindsey Berg, and Kim Willoughby. Let’s not forget Parker McLachlin’s legends Reno-Tahoe Mens Golf Title putting Hawaii on the Men’s PGA scene and the Hilo Juniors Little league title run coming one game within a championship. To top it off lets put a cherry on the Hawaiian Pineapple Sundae as the Waipio Little League 12 & under team won the Little League championship over Mexico before a national audience. Daryl Huff of KITV said it the best when he mentioned that the secret behind the Waipio Little League teams success was because of the team behind the team. The families and supporters (practically the whole state of Hawaii).
You could say that about Hawaii, It’s uniqueness of support for any athlete or team that competes away from home. We like to call it Hawaiian Pride. The pride of coming from a small island. You know, the us against the world attitude stemming from humble plantation beginnings. The prejudice of being too small, playing against nominal competition, stuck in the middle of Pacific, and not having the tools, or passing the eyeball test.
On ESPN during the Little League 12U World Series Championship game, Georgia’s Dalton Carriker (2007’s LLWS hero) was to comment about the Louisiana’s shortstop Kennon Fontenot. This appeared when it seemed Waipio was going to lose 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth. Carriker quoted that Fontenot was a five tool player….. Now, if you know about the MLB scouting jargon, a tool is an athletic measurement. Tools such as Speed, Power, and Arm Strength and so on… are assessed on upper level baseball prospects. Wow, Carriker only 14 and already knows the jargon. BUT someone forgot the other five important tools that sometimes gets overlooked and not taught enough but usually determines a champion.
Attitude
Commitment & Desire to Accomplish
Hard work
Humbleness
loyalty
All tools the majority Hawaii athlete’s posses. If any college recruiters out there reading this try giving our Hawaii Kids a chance and you will see… That Hawaii has unique athletes. We might not pass the eyeball test or have all five tools but they will pass the heart test.
You could say that about Hawaii, It’s uniqueness of support for any athlete or team that competes away from home. We like to call it Hawaiian Pride. The pride of coming from a small island. You know, the us against the world attitude stemming from humble plantation beginnings. The prejudice of being too small, playing against nominal competition, stuck in the middle of Pacific, and not having the tools, or passing the eyeball test.
On ESPN during the Little League 12U World Series Championship game, Georgia’s Dalton Carriker (2007’s LLWS hero) was to comment about the Louisiana’s shortstop Kennon Fontenot. This appeared when it seemed Waipio was going to lose 5-1 in the bottom of the sixth. Carriker quoted that Fontenot was a five tool player….. Now, if you know about the MLB scouting jargon, a tool is an athletic measurement. Tools such as Speed, Power, and Arm Strength and so on… are assessed on upper level baseball prospects. Wow, Carriker only 14 and already knows the jargon. BUT someone forgot the other five important tools that sometimes gets overlooked and not taught enough but usually determines a champion.
Attitude
Commitment & Desire to Accomplish
Hard work
Humbleness
loyalty
All tools the majority Hawaii athlete’s posses. If any college recruiters out there reading this try giving our Hawaii Kids a chance and you will see… That Hawaii has unique athletes. We might not pass the eyeball test or have all five tools but they will pass the heart test.
Monday, August 4, 2008
Caray Was The Original Cable Guy
It was a sad day in Major League Baseball as one of the best announcers in cable TV died. Skip Caray was the voice of the Atlanta Braves. For those of us that grew up in the antenna days of TV you would come to appreciate the world of cable television. When cable came to most towns and America, It was probably the most appreciated thing happening to sports television since sliced cheese. There was a wealthy man with a vision to capture the world by connecting them to 24 hours news and programming via cable. Cable began as a small television market. Ted Turner had a vision that the world would be ready for world news and sports. Thus came CNN or Cable News Network and his WTBS broadcast cable stations.
However, Ted also bought a baseball team. Ted's team was the Atlanta Braves. Claudell Washington, Phil Niekro, Glenn Hubbard, Bob Horner, Chris Chambliss, and Dale Murphy were some of the players that come to mind. Believe it or not Ted gave a young manager a chance to manage one of the Atlanta teams, he came out to be one hell of a manager, oh by the way his name is Joe Torre. But this team was special; it became America's team. How, well with cable television growing by leaps and bounds in the mid to late 70's people knew these players and team better than their own hometown team. How was this possible? Cable television and Ted Turner.
If you were growing up in Hawaii, and you are 50 years old and above you remember the days of black and white television. You probably are not too keen with there being only one or two stations that came in regularly by rabbit ears or that big metal ornament above the roof line. Hey, there were great a many memories of dad yelling "turn it a little more", or "Whoa, whoa, go back just a little bit", as you were turning the metal ornament known as the antenna in the rain or in the dark. You were lucky to get a baseball game once a week. The teams you would see were not your favorite. Cable changed that, with WTBS you could now see most of the National League teams face off against the Braves and it was clear color! Even with the cable technology, you still had to have a good product for the Atlanta Braves broadcasts. Those broadcasts delivered the goods by a son of the most heralded announcers in major league baseball, Harry Caray.
Harry's son Skip began what was to be the start of Cable's first big broadcasts. The Braves came in to everyone's living room. Especially here in Hawaii with no professional baseball team since the Hawaii Islanders left town. The Braves became our team. It was weird or special to watch MLB during lunch or in the morning versus of waiting for the weekend.
Skip Caray's voice was not as flamboyant as his father's in Chicago, yet it was soothing and yet interesting. Locals would compare it local sports announcer Don Robbs. Caray, would be, believe it or not one of MLB's most visible broadcaster and baseball ambassadors. Caray was there before ESPN or other cable stations. He set the standard, making baseball enjoyable and interesting. He actually made the ratings work for MLB on cable.
Fulton County stadium would not be the same without Caray at the broadcast. Caray started a generation of baseball lovers in Hawaii. Believe it or not he may be one of the most inspirational baseball personalities in Hawaii Baseball. His counter part on the broadcast was Pete Van Wieren, a younger voice that made the broadcast have a southern feel. The two were classy broadcasters, usually never getting controversial or raising negative issues or comments. Yet they knew the game and knew the players very well. They actually taught us viewers a lot about baseball.
Skip and Harry must be broadcasting for heaven's team now. But Skip must be honored for his contributions to cable television and MLB. He along with Ted Turner must be credited with fueling baseball interest in all of Hawaii. We will miss Skip……..
However, Ted also bought a baseball team. Ted's team was the Atlanta Braves. Claudell Washington, Phil Niekro, Glenn Hubbard, Bob Horner, Chris Chambliss, and Dale Murphy were some of the players that come to mind. Believe it or not Ted gave a young manager a chance to manage one of the Atlanta teams, he came out to be one hell of a manager, oh by the way his name is Joe Torre. But this team was special; it became America's team. How, well with cable television growing by leaps and bounds in the mid to late 70's people knew these players and team better than their own hometown team. How was this possible? Cable television and Ted Turner.
If you were growing up in Hawaii, and you are 50 years old and above you remember the days of black and white television. You probably are not too keen with there being only one or two stations that came in regularly by rabbit ears or that big metal ornament above the roof line. Hey, there were great a many memories of dad yelling "turn it a little more", or "Whoa, whoa, go back just a little bit", as you were turning the metal ornament known as the antenna in the rain or in the dark. You were lucky to get a baseball game once a week. The teams you would see were not your favorite. Cable changed that, with WTBS you could now see most of the National League teams face off against the Braves and it was clear color! Even with the cable technology, you still had to have a good product for the Atlanta Braves broadcasts. Those broadcasts delivered the goods by a son of the most heralded announcers in major league baseball, Harry Caray.
Harry's son Skip began what was to be the start of Cable's first big broadcasts. The Braves came in to everyone's living room. Especially here in Hawaii with no professional baseball team since the Hawaii Islanders left town. The Braves became our team. It was weird or special to watch MLB during lunch or in the morning versus of waiting for the weekend.
Skip Caray's voice was not as flamboyant as his father's in Chicago, yet it was soothing and yet interesting. Locals would compare it local sports announcer Don Robbs. Caray, would be, believe it or not one of MLB's most visible broadcaster and baseball ambassadors. Caray was there before ESPN or other cable stations. He set the standard, making baseball enjoyable and interesting. He actually made the ratings work for MLB on cable.
Fulton County stadium would not be the same without Caray at the broadcast. Caray started a generation of baseball lovers in Hawaii. Believe it or not he may be one of the most inspirational baseball personalities in Hawaii Baseball. His counter part on the broadcast was Pete Van Wieren, a younger voice that made the broadcast have a southern feel. The two were classy broadcasters, usually never getting controversial or raising negative issues or comments. Yet they knew the game and knew the players very well. They actually taught us viewers a lot about baseball.
Skip and Harry must be broadcasting for heaven's team now. But Skip must be honored for his contributions to cable television and MLB. He along with Ted Turner must be credited with fueling baseball interest in all of Hawaii. We will miss Skip……..
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Junior Varsity Sports Is a Means To Better Youths
Junior Varsity sports may not be considered a major high school activity by many fans. However, the participants are more than the opening show for most of the varsity fan fare. Most accomplished athletes have gone through the passage of this at one time. Some great athletes have gone straight to Varsity, but it is more of an anomaly, than the norm. Why are JV sports such a vital part of the adolescence stage? For one thing, it is the aspiration that it brings out in youths. You see JV sports not only affects ninth and tenth graders in High School, but it affects students as young as 7-8. How is this? Well, most aspiring 7-8 year olds dream of playing someday on the same field or court that their parents or relative has dragged them to. You know, the first taste of a real big crowd and intense game is at the high school level. These youngsters get a feel and taste and develop a desire to play at the next level.
The very first taste of the next level. The level in which there is an elimination process, a competitive process. If there were no JV then there would be thousands of youths whose dreams would be gone. Most youngsters at an early age are realistic too. Most know that they may have a chance to make the JV team but not be good enough to be at the Varsity. The elimination of the JV programs may eliminate the desire to continue playing a sport at an earlier age. Is this bad? There are always academic or other extracurricular activities that may do our youths better. However, aspiring in athletics teaches youngsters about goal setting, work ethic in practice, mental training and discipline. Although these youngsters may not continue playing in high school, it does set the foundation to become better students.
It is not about playing a few games in high school at the 9-10th grade. You see it is the means not the end that will be affected by not having JV sports.
The very first taste of the next level. The level in which there is an elimination process, a competitive process. If there were no JV then there would be thousands of youths whose dreams would be gone. Most youngsters at an early age are realistic too. Most know that they may have a chance to make the JV team but not be good enough to be at the Varsity. The elimination of the JV programs may eliminate the desire to continue playing a sport at an earlier age. Is this bad? There are always academic or other extracurricular activities that may do our youths better. However, aspiring in athletics teaches youngsters about goal setting, work ethic in practice, mental training and discipline. Although these youngsters may not continue playing in high school, it does set the foundation to become better students.
It is not about playing a few games in high school at the 9-10th grade. You see it is the means not the end that will be affected by not having JV sports.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
Two Weeks Sorely Needed For Summer
The BOE may incorporate an extension of the Hawaii DOE summer vacation. Currently classes begin the first week in August. Ever since adopting the all year round schedule, summer sports aficionados have suffered.
Summer of old used to be 3 months. Three long months. Too long to make curriculum stick for next year, according to educators.
In sports, athletic trainers and coaches talk about periodization. The time when an athlete takes time off from their sport or training schedules to rest certain parts of their body.
The two weeks of extra summer vacation would do youth summer sports participants wonders. Summer school students that could not get enough classes or time to complete their requirements pushed the decision. Many summer class offerings were eliminated which put too much stress on the fall schedule. Baseball, Volleyball, Softball, and basketball players find it difficult to squeeze summer training and tournament play into the schools starting dates. Most of the Hilo Little League Senior team missed almost a month of classes due to the goal of achieving a World Title.
One private school was even mentioning that they would not condone any missed classes due to a sports extracurricular activity. Most educators and faculty have been real great in accommodating these athletes in chasing their dreams as well as Hawaii's dreams. If you win you get treated a little bit better. However, lose and you may find some incomplete scores or less forgiveness. Some youth baseball and basketball players have been traveling for several years to the mainland. Many of these athletes have missed up to one month of class if they were successful advancing past states to regionals and world tournaments.
Give the BOE and DOE credit for giving these players, parents and educators a little more breathing space---- Next year at least!
Summer of old used to be 3 months. Three long months. Too long to make curriculum stick for next year, according to educators.
In sports, athletic trainers and coaches talk about periodization. The time when an athlete takes time off from their sport or training schedules to rest certain parts of their body.
The two weeks of extra summer vacation would do youth summer sports participants wonders. Summer school students that could not get enough classes or time to complete their requirements pushed the decision. Many summer class offerings were eliminated which put too much stress on the fall schedule. Baseball, Volleyball, Softball, and basketball players find it difficult to squeeze summer training and tournament play into the schools starting dates. Most of the Hilo Little League Senior team missed almost a month of classes due to the goal of achieving a World Title.
One private school was even mentioning that they would not condone any missed classes due to a sports extracurricular activity. Most educators and faculty have been real great in accommodating these athletes in chasing their dreams as well as Hawaii's dreams. If you win you get treated a little bit better. However, lose and you may find some incomplete scores or less forgiveness. Some youth baseball and basketball players have been traveling for several years to the mainland. Many of these athletes have missed up to one month of class if they were successful advancing past states to regionals and world tournaments.
Give the BOE and DOE credit for giving these players, parents and educators a little more breathing space---- Next year at least!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Kevin Is Truly Big Island's Iron Man
Couple days ago a story ran about the BIIF Boy's Volleyball DI and DII players of the year in the Hawaii Tribune Herald. One story of interest was about Kealoha Kramer. The Kamehameha two sport athlete was the big story of the DI Boy's Volleyball season. However what was significant about the story wasn't about Kealoha. Now not taking nothing away from Kramer, who was an outstanding athlete with great attitude, skill and academics. The significance was the journalist writing the story. The story was the first feature story by Hawaii Tribune Herald Sportswriter Kevin Jakahi since becoming ill. That story was like a hurricane that hit the Big Island. It was a story that was written with much passion and spirit from Kevin who put his heart and soul into the articles that followed.
In the days that followed Kevin was on a tear, ripping story after story with such passion. He was back, he provided the Trib with something that was missing since his absence. Sure there were other free lance and staff writers that were hired after Kevin's absence, but Kevin's connection to the local people separated his writing. Kevin is a talented writer, who has a pure heart and truly cares for Hawaii Athletes. He has gone through much in his recovery with his illness that is similar to our featured columnist Wade Ishibashi. Truly Kevin is a true hero whose courage and grit leads us to become better people. Kevin Jakahi, welcome back you are truly the Big Island's Iron Man.
In the days that followed Kevin was on a tear, ripping story after story with such passion. He was back, he provided the Trib with something that was missing since his absence. Sure there were other free lance and staff writers that were hired after Kevin's absence, but Kevin's connection to the local people separated his writing. Kevin is a talented writer, who has a pure heart and truly cares for Hawaii Athletes. He has gone through much in his recovery with his illness that is similar to our featured columnist Wade Ishibashi. Truly Kevin is a true hero whose courage and grit leads us to become better people. Kevin Jakahi, welcome back you are truly the Big Island's Iron Man.
Monday, June 30, 2008
It Takes Guts To Over Come Pain
The sports fan over the last two weeks, have witnessed two spectacular sports events in history. First we must mention the Tiger and secondly the Bulldog. Tiger with all his physical ailments winning the US Open and the Fresno State Bulldogs winning the National Title in Omaha. First, Tiger proved he is probably the best golfer ever…. No other golfer would realize how much physical pain and ailments could turn an average man into a whimp. If you're a sports participant, you know what I mean. A stiff back can cause a good college NAIA All American, looking like a stiff old man who looks ten years his age. Yet a great golfer like Tiger who on one bad knee and a fracture in the same leg did not stop him from beating 100's of the world's best he man golfers.
Okay, he's Tiger we expect that from him. Right? If you're like most part time American Athletes you can sympathize with Woods. You know that stiff back, twisted ankle, or pulled muscle or Achilles tendon that sidelined you for the over 30 belly dancer league. To do this at a high level is astounding. Next time you have that nagging muscle pain in your hamstring or calf, try playing three rounds of 18 holes and shooting your best golf ever. I don't think so… It is like spotting another golfer 4 shots per day with a severe injury. Okay lets move on to the WAC Champion Fresno State Bulldogs. They broke out and hit a hot streak like no other DI baseball team. They made the WAC proud? Okay Hawaii beat them on K5 4-0 in which the UH pitcher shut them down in regular season. The Fresno State head coach was suspended before the Hawaii series due to some behavior problem during the games on the mainland. We won't get into that, but some say that may have been the turning point of the Bulldogs year. But the gutsy performance by the Bulldogs is just outstanding.
ESPN college baseball experts were saying Fresno was the weakest team in the pool and would lose against Rice and be two and barbeque. Well, so much for predictions. The Bulldogs were just a hungry dog that would not let go of their jaw breaking lock on what they wanted, a national title. Georgia the other Bulldog would be the darling favorite the NCAA wanted to win it all. Well, so much for the ugly sister Cinderella story of Fresno. The grape city with its entire San Joaquin Valley splendor must be dancing in the fields. Okay, we Hawaii fans that have gone to Fresno for football or baseball know that the fans of the Valley can get nasty and downright bad. But Steve Detwiler did a Tiger and battled a torn ligament in his left thumb to blast two home runs while Justin Wilson took care of business on the mound!
Fresno, which started slow to a 12-20 record, had to win the WAC tournament just to qualify for the Super regional. The NCAA which wanted an East Coast Champion (after Oregon State won back to back) must wait until next year.
Okay, he's Tiger we expect that from him. Right? If you're like most part time American Athletes you can sympathize with Woods. You know that stiff back, twisted ankle, or pulled muscle or Achilles tendon that sidelined you for the over 30 belly dancer league. To do this at a high level is astounding. Next time you have that nagging muscle pain in your hamstring or calf, try playing three rounds of 18 holes and shooting your best golf ever. I don't think so… It is like spotting another golfer 4 shots per day with a severe injury. Okay lets move on to the WAC Champion Fresno State Bulldogs. They broke out and hit a hot streak like no other DI baseball team. They made the WAC proud? Okay Hawaii beat them on K5 4-0 in which the UH pitcher shut them down in regular season. The Fresno State head coach was suspended before the Hawaii series due to some behavior problem during the games on the mainland. We won't get into that, but some say that may have been the turning point of the Bulldogs year. But the gutsy performance by the Bulldogs is just outstanding.
ESPN college baseball experts were saying Fresno was the weakest team in the pool and would lose against Rice and be two and barbeque. Well, so much for predictions. The Bulldogs were just a hungry dog that would not let go of their jaw breaking lock on what they wanted, a national title. Georgia the other Bulldog would be the darling favorite the NCAA wanted to win it all. Well, so much for the ugly sister Cinderella story of Fresno. The grape city with its entire San Joaquin Valley splendor must be dancing in the fields. Okay, we Hawaii fans that have gone to Fresno for football or baseball know that the fans of the Valley can get nasty and downright bad. But Steve Detwiler did a Tiger and battled a torn ligament in his left thumb to blast two home runs while Justin Wilson took care of business on the mound!
Fresno, which started slow to a 12-20 record, had to win the WAC tournament just to qualify for the Super regional. The NCAA which wanted an East Coast Champion (after Oregon State won back to back) must wait until next year.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
The Sun Rises In The East Again
The cloudy gloomy days of the Eastern Division of the NBA has been resurrected. It was not long ago when every sportscaster was writing off the East. It was the West with all the accolades of the Spurs and Duncan, or Bryant and Gassol, or Nash and Stoudemire.
Paul Pierce who for 10 long years finally had his coming out party last night with the NBA Championship. Danny Ainge the mastermind behind what would become one of the best assembling of a team in the history of the NBA. Ainge was nick named the nat for his fierce relentless in your face defense when he was playing for the Bostonians in the 80's. It is this same style of negotiating and assembling that landed the Celtics the Championship.
Even before the series started most NBA experts were declaring the Lakers the heavy favorites. The Celtics did not look particularly good against the Pistons. The Lakers on the other hand, looked great against the Spurs and shut down Parker and Duncan. It was the series everyone wanted, the blue-collar defensive team of the Celtics versus the glitzy Lakers of the Silver City.
Everyone was saying the Phil Jackson factor would win the series. The inexperience of Doc Rivers who made the Atlanta Hawks good during the 80's would not be able to match up against the legendary Sacred Hoops coach. Doc Rivers out coached Jackson. Rivers who never won an NBA Championship finally got his. Dominique Wilkins, who must have been watching, probably wept in jubilation for Rivers.
For 38 year old Sam Cassell, KG, and Ray Allen it was so sweet for those great players who finally got one championship. But everyone discovered how great MVP Pierce is, he was the go to player for Rivers, Doc recognized the mismatch. It did not matter who guarded him he scored on them all, inside or out. But Pierce probably is as nimble an interviewer as an NBA MVP. In the post game interview he gave all his teammates the credit and tap-danced around the selfish me answer. What a great move… The sun may set in the West, next year… The engine is there; the Lakers just did not have the tires and the axle. This series is just starting; watch out for Kobe he'll be back! The Lakers have some moves here and there up their sleeves.
Paul Pierce who for 10 long years finally had his coming out party last night with the NBA Championship. Danny Ainge the mastermind behind what would become one of the best assembling of a team in the history of the NBA. Ainge was nick named the nat for his fierce relentless in your face defense when he was playing for the Bostonians in the 80's. It is this same style of negotiating and assembling that landed the Celtics the Championship.
Even before the series started most NBA experts were declaring the Lakers the heavy favorites. The Celtics did not look particularly good against the Pistons. The Lakers on the other hand, looked great against the Spurs and shut down Parker and Duncan. It was the series everyone wanted, the blue-collar defensive team of the Celtics versus the glitzy Lakers of the Silver City.
Everyone was saying the Phil Jackson factor would win the series. The inexperience of Doc Rivers who made the Atlanta Hawks good during the 80's would not be able to match up against the legendary Sacred Hoops coach. Doc Rivers out coached Jackson. Rivers who never won an NBA Championship finally got his. Dominique Wilkins, who must have been watching, probably wept in jubilation for Rivers.
For 38 year old Sam Cassell, KG, and Ray Allen it was so sweet for those great players who finally got one championship. But everyone discovered how great MVP Pierce is, he was the go to player for Rivers, Doc recognized the mismatch. It did not matter who guarded him he scored on them all, inside or out. But Pierce probably is as nimble an interviewer as an NBA MVP. In the post game interview he gave all his teammates the credit and tap-danced around the selfish me answer. What a great move… The sun may set in the West, next year… The engine is there; the Lakers just did not have the tires and the axle. This series is just starting; watch out for Kobe he'll be back! The Lakers have some moves here and there up their sleeves.
Friday, June 6, 2008
The Vicious World Of Major League Baseball
The 2008 MLB draft was held June 5th and 6 rounds of supposedly potential great Major league players drafted. Most teams just blurt out their list on day two as rounds 7 to 50 goes in a flash. The big difference in the MLB draft is that they are able to draft high school players. In today's draft there were many high school players taken including the first pick. If you were to look at his video, he is a raw talent that has what the pros call tools; speed, power, arm strength. Now on his video he missed an easy grounder, looked awkward throwing to first and whiffed a BP pitch and has balance problems in the box. We at Hawaii Sports Page are not pro scouts, but the first round pick did not look really polished.
There are three tools one must possess to reach the pinnacle heaven. Speed, hitting power, arm strength. In other words the pros are looking for logs. As in tree logs. You can be a huge log that passes the eye ball test, size, speed, and power. MLB scouts are looking for logs that can be shaped to be pros. They want potential, 90+ on the arm, homerun power, if you don't have home run power you better run the 60 under 6.5 and hit for high average.
To be drafted is one thing but being drafted high is another. The whole league of having a minor league system is so the high draft picks can be trained and developed in that league. But you need players right? So the whole minor league system is made up of fine baseball players some of these players could easily play in the Majors and do well. However, each club is looking for the superstar that can help them win a championship. Each club does the following; evaluate, pay, move the prospects up, do it over again.
Meanwhile the lower draftees are forgotten. Take for instance Keoni De Renne, a top 50 high school prospect in high school from Hawaii. De Renne played for Arizona Wildcats and earned all American honors. His father was the famous Coop De Renne, a hitting instructor and a Kinesiology professor. When De Renne came out of college he was drafted by the Red Sox and played in their farm system and made it all the way to triple A. He was on the doorstep ready to make it to the big leagues. However, De Renne still waits to be called. He has been leaped over by younger rookies or older veterans that have been in trades. That is the nature of the Majors. Every year these players must compete with the current years draftees or trade acquisitions. If you are an infielder there will probably be 4-6 infielders taken every year in the draft. That means there are younger hungrier players trying to leap frog over you. That is the worst part of the whole system.
De Renne left the Red Sox farm system and signed with a new organization the York Revolution with the Atlantic League.
One of De Renne’s team mates is Jose Enrique Cruz. Cruz came to Hilo with his nationally ranked University of Rice team several years ago. Cruz smoked several balls on top of the Edith Kanakaole stadium. A star with pedigree destined for the bigs. However, Jose Enrique Cruz has only made it to the double AA level. Now, we know he is probably better than most of the high school prospects chosen today. He has more experience, seen more nasty sliders and curves and hit them, But we don't understand the logic. Enrique Cruz is a known quantity. Unfortunately, his talents can not immediately rescue a MLB team. Again remember the log analogy. Remember pros, are looking for logs to shape, the hidden gems or superstars out there. They are not looking for already shaped bowls they have seen or the likes. They are looking for tools to be shaped, different than college recruiting.
Logs are what they are seeking. Now De Renne is probably smoother than 50% of all the MLB shortstops, yet his size and power is prohibited him from getting the call. That is why MLB is vicious and cruel. Many a good Hawaii players languished in the double AA, and triple AAA only to be passed up by high school hot prospects or high college draft picks. There is a need for career minor leaguers. Without these career minor league players committing there would be no league, no training ground for these raw logs.
High draft picks get preferential treatment in moving up, they are an investment. Clubs pay big signing bonuses to develop this talent. To not move them up, will make the scouts and management look inept and foolish. Hence, if two equal players have the same ability and are similar in talent, but one has been drafted higher who gets the nod? Now if a low draftee is better than a high first or second round pick who gets the nod? Wrong, the high draftee always gets moved up faster, initially anyway. However, making it to the show sometimes takes being in the right place at the right time and a little luck as Benny Agbayani explained in his book.
Even if you make it you'll be guaranteed only a minimum salary of $300,000. Not bad right? That is great salary if you were guaranteed ten years in the Majors. However, there is no guarantee. You could be sent down to the minors for various reasons at any time. Now the most tragic part is in salary disparity. The skill differences between a superstar and an everyday regular MLB player is so suttle. Yet, that suttle difference believe it or not can make a huge difference in salary. The top players on some MLB clubs make 12-15 million per year. A rookie or second year player may be hanging on to a $300-$400 K salary. The superstar now makes 36 times more than the rookie. Is he 36 times better? If this goes on for two years the rookie would have to work 72 years to make the same money that the superstar makes. Now some players who were streaky hot for a year or two may be able to negotiate major pay raises for several years. But sometimes these players turn old and may have lost some of their talent but they still make ten times more than the younger players even though they may be sitting on the bench most of the day. Some economist believe that talent is over rated and over paid in America and is destroying business. Remember talent is not the same as skill. Talent is the small, suttle difference between being good and great. Sometimes talent is nothing more than timing of good skill. Being in the right spot at the right time or producing your best at the right time when it counts. No difference than an Ivy league CEO getting paid hundreds of millions due to his or her talent to make a company profitable, but is he really worth 1000 times more than the Vice President or CFO?
On the Revolution team Kazunori Tanaka was a high school phenom in Japan being drafted as a first rounder in the Japan professional draft. He broke into the Japan Majors at the age of 19. He came to the US in hopes to make it to the big leagues and make more money. He was drafted in the Japan Professional league ahead of Daisuke Matsuzaki with the Red Sox. So far he has spent four years in the minors hoping for the break to make it.
Another Revolution player Matt Padgett who has spent almost 10 years in triple A will probably end up as a career minor leaguer. Padget hit 120 homers, batted in 588 runs and has a lifetime minor average of 264%. In 2004 he hit 24 homeruns in triple A. For every one story that makes it to the big leagues there are dozens of stories like Matt Padgett. To make it to the show takes not only hard work but selling your self as a hidden log, that is the vicious nature of the Bigs. A handful of players make it to the show and then only a handful of those really make the big money.
There are three tools one must possess to reach the pinnacle heaven. Speed, hitting power, arm strength. In other words the pros are looking for logs. As in tree logs. You can be a huge log that passes the eye ball test, size, speed, and power. MLB scouts are looking for logs that can be shaped to be pros. They want potential, 90+ on the arm, homerun power, if you don't have home run power you better run the 60 under 6.5 and hit for high average.
To be drafted is one thing but being drafted high is another. The whole league of having a minor league system is so the high draft picks can be trained and developed in that league. But you need players right? So the whole minor league system is made up of fine baseball players some of these players could easily play in the Majors and do well. However, each club is looking for the superstar that can help them win a championship. Each club does the following; evaluate, pay, move the prospects up, do it over again.
Meanwhile the lower draftees are forgotten. Take for instance Keoni De Renne, a top 50 high school prospect in high school from Hawaii. De Renne played for Arizona Wildcats and earned all American honors. His father was the famous Coop De Renne, a hitting instructor and a Kinesiology professor. When De Renne came out of college he was drafted by the Red Sox and played in their farm system and made it all the way to triple A. He was on the doorstep ready to make it to the big leagues. However, De Renne still waits to be called. He has been leaped over by younger rookies or older veterans that have been in trades. That is the nature of the Majors. Every year these players must compete with the current years draftees or trade acquisitions. If you are an infielder there will probably be 4-6 infielders taken every year in the draft. That means there are younger hungrier players trying to leap frog over you. That is the worst part of the whole system.
De Renne left the Red Sox farm system and signed with a new organization the York Revolution with the Atlantic League.
One of De Renne’s team mates is Jose Enrique Cruz. Cruz came to Hilo with his nationally ranked University of Rice team several years ago. Cruz smoked several balls on top of the Edith Kanakaole stadium. A star with pedigree destined for the bigs. However, Jose Enrique Cruz has only made it to the double AA level. Now, we know he is probably better than most of the high school prospects chosen today. He has more experience, seen more nasty sliders and curves and hit them, But we don't understand the logic. Enrique Cruz is a known quantity. Unfortunately, his talents can not immediately rescue a MLB team. Again remember the log analogy. Remember pros, are looking for logs to shape, the hidden gems or superstars out there. They are not looking for already shaped bowls they have seen or the likes. They are looking for tools to be shaped, different than college recruiting.
Logs are what they are seeking. Now De Renne is probably smoother than 50% of all the MLB shortstops, yet his size and power is prohibited him from getting the call. That is why MLB is vicious and cruel. Many a good Hawaii players languished in the double AA, and triple AAA only to be passed up by high school hot prospects or high college draft picks. There is a need for career minor leaguers. Without these career minor league players committing there would be no league, no training ground for these raw logs.
High draft picks get preferential treatment in moving up, they are an investment. Clubs pay big signing bonuses to develop this talent. To not move them up, will make the scouts and management look inept and foolish. Hence, if two equal players have the same ability and are similar in talent, but one has been drafted higher who gets the nod? Now if a low draftee is better than a high first or second round pick who gets the nod? Wrong, the high draftee always gets moved up faster, initially anyway. However, making it to the show sometimes takes being in the right place at the right time and a little luck as Benny Agbayani explained in his book.
Even if you make it you'll be guaranteed only a minimum salary of $300,000. Not bad right? That is great salary if you were guaranteed ten years in the Majors. However, there is no guarantee. You could be sent down to the minors for various reasons at any time. Now the most tragic part is in salary disparity. The skill differences between a superstar and an everyday regular MLB player is so suttle. Yet, that suttle difference believe it or not can make a huge difference in salary. The top players on some MLB clubs make 12-15 million per year. A rookie or second year player may be hanging on to a $300-$400 K salary. The superstar now makes 36 times more than the rookie. Is he 36 times better? If this goes on for two years the rookie would have to work 72 years to make the same money that the superstar makes. Now some players who were streaky hot for a year or two may be able to negotiate major pay raises for several years. But sometimes these players turn old and may have lost some of their talent but they still make ten times more than the younger players even though they may be sitting on the bench most of the day. Some economist believe that talent is over rated and over paid in America and is destroying business. Remember talent is not the same as skill. Talent is the small, suttle difference between being good and great. Sometimes talent is nothing more than timing of good skill. Being in the right spot at the right time or producing your best at the right time when it counts. No difference than an Ivy league CEO getting paid hundreds of millions due to his or her talent to make a company profitable, but is he really worth 1000 times more than the Vice President or CFO?
On the Revolution team Kazunori Tanaka was a high school phenom in Japan being drafted as a first rounder in the Japan professional draft. He broke into the Japan Majors at the age of 19. He came to the US in hopes to make it to the big leagues and make more money. He was drafted in the Japan Professional league ahead of Daisuke Matsuzaki with the Red Sox. So far he has spent four years in the minors hoping for the break to make it.
Another Revolution player Matt Padgett who has spent almost 10 years in triple A will probably end up as a career minor leaguer. Padget hit 120 homers, batted in 588 runs and has a lifetime minor average of 264%. In 2004 he hit 24 homeruns in triple A. For every one story that makes it to the big leagues there are dozens of stories like Matt Padgett. To make it to the show takes not only hard work but selling your self as a hidden log, that is the vicious nature of the Bigs. A handful of players make it to the show and then only a handful of those really make the big money.
Thursday, May 29, 2008
No One Likes An Actor
Thespians have no place in basketball denounced the NBA. Fines are in store for those who do. Catching a flopper is what the NBA is talking about. There seems to be a growing national sentiment from officials to catch these evil players. You know the players that grunt and then fall down purposely to draw an offensive charge. But making fines to curb this behavior might be a detriment to proper defense.
Vlade Divac was the NBA's best flopper when he played in the NBA. The European star made a career of drawing the offensive charge. But officials became irritated when he would put in an extra acting at the end of the play. NFL place kickers do the same. When brushed by defensive players trying to block a kick or punt they may put on an academy award here and there. Are the NFL kickers next to be handed fines? No one likes to be played a fool nowadays. It shows up the referees and mocks the official's intelligence. However, some really good coaches teach their players at a very young age the art of taking an offensive charge. Now it may seem simple, but how many times in a men's league game have you seen it? Never, right. For one thing, many men who play never were taught to take a charge, secondly, referees hesitate to call an offensive foul. You can tell a real good player or a player that has played the sport seriously just by his ability to take a charge.
The proper way is to avoid falling on your back or hitting your head on the floor. A player is supposed to fall on your biggest muscle (buttocks) in a sit down fashion and slide back. However, the biggest part of the technique is giving a little ground when you feel contact. Because if you are too rigid, you could get a size 14 in your neck or worse fall straight on your back and head. There is a fine line between giving and flopping. We have heard from referees say; "he did not stand his ground, and he gave in too much". There fore the referee called it a flop and did not give the player the offensive charge. Now you wonder why taking a charge is becoming a lost art. Referees should go to a camp that teach taking a charge and see the physics involved in the art. It is not easy to stay rigid and not give in. Defensive basketball coaches constantly preach the mantra; "beat your man to the spot or lane". Instead players now try to go up and challenge the shooter and fouling the hand and arms instead. This technique has lead to great drivers and dunkers in the NBA. This is the very reason there are less pull up jumpers or pull up jump shooters in the NBA, college and high school. Nowdays the mentality is I don't want to stop and pop, but I'll go over my man because it looks spectacular. That is what the NBA wants, even though this drive is technically an offensive charge. Many times the offensive player does not go over his defender but through him. Now if his quad, knee or foot knocks the defensive player down don't you think that should be called an offensive foul? Sure we don't need the thespians but we should not take away the great defensive efforts of players.
Beating the offense to the spot should be rewarded, these fines only encourages lazy defense and rewards offensive players that do not know how to stop on a dime with a two foot jump stop.
Vlade Divac was the NBA's best flopper when he played in the NBA. The European star made a career of drawing the offensive charge. But officials became irritated when he would put in an extra acting at the end of the play. NFL place kickers do the same. When brushed by defensive players trying to block a kick or punt they may put on an academy award here and there. Are the NFL kickers next to be handed fines? No one likes to be played a fool nowadays. It shows up the referees and mocks the official's intelligence. However, some really good coaches teach their players at a very young age the art of taking an offensive charge. Now it may seem simple, but how many times in a men's league game have you seen it? Never, right. For one thing, many men who play never were taught to take a charge, secondly, referees hesitate to call an offensive foul. You can tell a real good player or a player that has played the sport seriously just by his ability to take a charge.
The proper way is to avoid falling on your back or hitting your head on the floor. A player is supposed to fall on your biggest muscle (buttocks) in a sit down fashion and slide back. However, the biggest part of the technique is giving a little ground when you feel contact. Because if you are too rigid, you could get a size 14 in your neck or worse fall straight on your back and head. There is a fine line between giving and flopping. We have heard from referees say; "he did not stand his ground, and he gave in too much". There fore the referee called it a flop and did not give the player the offensive charge. Now you wonder why taking a charge is becoming a lost art. Referees should go to a camp that teach taking a charge and see the physics involved in the art. It is not easy to stay rigid and not give in. Defensive basketball coaches constantly preach the mantra; "beat your man to the spot or lane". Instead players now try to go up and challenge the shooter and fouling the hand and arms instead. This technique has lead to great drivers and dunkers in the NBA. This is the very reason there are less pull up jumpers or pull up jump shooters in the NBA, college and high school. Nowdays the mentality is I don't want to stop and pop, but I'll go over my man because it looks spectacular. That is what the NBA wants, even though this drive is technically an offensive charge. Many times the offensive player does not go over his defender but through him. Now if his quad, knee or foot knocks the defensive player down don't you think that should be called an offensive foul? Sure we don't need the thespians but we should not take away the great defensive efforts of players.
Beating the offense to the spot should be rewarded, these fines only encourages lazy defense and rewards offensive players that do not know how to stop on a dime with a two foot jump stop.
Wednesday, May 21, 2008
Competition Breeds Success
Sports Illustrated just selected Punahou as the top athletic program in the Nation. According to the Sports Illustrated it chose Punahou on numerous characteristics of the whole school and not just the winning tradition. If you had looked at all the HHSAA titles this season the ILH dominated winning probably 75-80% of all the sports titles. Punahou won numerous titles this year including the Girls & Boys Basketball, Baseball, Judo, Water polo, Swimming, Tennis, and others.
Now there are pundits out there that hate private schools and never will change their biases no matter what. But props have to be handed out to Punahou for their excellence in the classroom and on the field. This selection does Hawaii good. It also sends out a message to all student athletes in Hawaii that academics are important.
Punahou excels because their whole process and system is set up for competition. Competition is evident in the whole process from the application process, being accepted to making the intermediate sports team, to scoring the highest in AP classes. There is always competition. Competition to get better during the summer and off season. Committing and sacrificing to fundraisers, field and facility maintenance, summer school. In fact the competition to make the team is fierce. To make the starting team is even fiercer. This competition breeds success and most of the students are self motivated and high achievers. The coaches get involved in the off season and interact and get to know the players all year round. The coaches pay attention to who is doing what and where. When it comes to season time they know who has been working out and rewards that with opportunities.
Some public schools don’t do this; in fact many public schools don’t know who has done what and who has been working hard. Many coaches have to work on basic fundamentals to make sure the ones who did not work out can catch up to the advanced and skilled players. Is this fair to the advanced players? The whole public school system is geared to provide equal opportunities for everyone. As long as the starting line is the same that is fine.
The public school system can not compete with private schools like Punahou and Iolani. The whole public school system is set up for mediocrity. Because the public schools have more of a broad range of students. The good athletes and academic students get somewhat lost in the shuffle. Is it time to start rewarding excellence and hard work versus spending time and resources on trying to adjust the starting line so it is fair for the ones who don’t work hard. Public schools have their hands tied but coaches and educators need to find creative ways in rewarding and motivating excellence. This feel good story has to have a message to our public school board and possibly to our Senators and Representatives. We have to bring back a competitive school environment to better prepare Hawaii's youth. Lowering the bar and standards to hide slackers won't help. There is a lot of talent at public schools that don't go to private schools and yet succeed, yet there is a lot of talent that is squandered due to the non competitive environment. Let's learn from what Punahou is doing and Kudos to the Punahou model.
Now there are pundits out there that hate private schools and never will change their biases no matter what. But props have to be handed out to Punahou for their excellence in the classroom and on the field. This selection does Hawaii good. It also sends out a message to all student athletes in Hawaii that academics are important.
Punahou excels because their whole process and system is set up for competition. Competition is evident in the whole process from the application process, being accepted to making the intermediate sports team, to scoring the highest in AP classes. There is always competition. Competition to get better during the summer and off season. Committing and sacrificing to fundraisers, field and facility maintenance, summer school. In fact the competition to make the team is fierce. To make the starting team is even fiercer. This competition breeds success and most of the students are self motivated and high achievers. The coaches get involved in the off season and interact and get to know the players all year round. The coaches pay attention to who is doing what and where. When it comes to season time they know who has been working out and rewards that with opportunities.
Some public schools don’t do this; in fact many public schools don’t know who has done what and who has been working hard. Many coaches have to work on basic fundamentals to make sure the ones who did not work out can catch up to the advanced and skilled players. Is this fair to the advanced players? The whole public school system is geared to provide equal opportunities for everyone. As long as the starting line is the same that is fine.
The public school system can not compete with private schools like Punahou and Iolani. The whole public school system is set up for mediocrity. Because the public schools have more of a broad range of students. The good athletes and academic students get somewhat lost in the shuffle. Is it time to start rewarding excellence and hard work versus spending time and resources on trying to adjust the starting line so it is fair for the ones who don’t work hard. Public schools have their hands tied but coaches and educators need to find creative ways in rewarding and motivating excellence. This feel good story has to have a message to our public school board and possibly to our Senators and Representatives. We have to bring back a competitive school environment to better prepare Hawaii's youth. Lowering the bar and standards to hide slackers won't help. There is a lot of talent at public schools that don't go to private schools and yet succeed, yet there is a lot of talent that is squandered due to the non competitive environment. Let's learn from what Punahou is doing and Kudos to the Punahou model.
Saturday, May 17, 2008
Hawaii High School Sports Fans Cry Feast Or Famine
It has been a whirl wind week for the HHSAA, one week- the baseball, tennis, and golf championships. The following week softball and volleyball. What a two weeks of sports events. This is great for Hawaii Sports Fans. However, there are concerns of not enough time to see these great games. I know, the AD’s say you have to pick and choose.
Some Big Island fans voicing that they did not get to see any Volleyball games on television due to the networks decision to go with softball. With only one network dedicated to the HHSAA that left out Volleyball. Last year’s boys HHSAA volleyball ratings were high. This week there is nothing scheduled, “ a famine week”. All right the students have to prepare for finals and end of the year labs and such. Is it time for the HHSAA to stagger these events? The sole purpose of a state tournament is to have one. That is first and foremost. The HHSAA is not in the business of popularity of promoting the sports through the media. One solution, have the championship for one of the two sports on a Sunday or Monday. Start one day later than the other sport and then rotate every year. An example would be to have Softball start on Wednesday and end Saturday and have Volleyball start on Thursday and have the Championship on Monday. Although several teams would have to spend an extra day for Sunday it could provide better coverage and fan support. Or have the tournament start on a Tuesday and end on Friday for one of the sports.
Let’s start staggering these events to increase fan support.
Some Big Island fans voicing that they did not get to see any Volleyball games on television due to the networks decision to go with softball. With only one network dedicated to the HHSAA that left out Volleyball. Last year’s boys HHSAA volleyball ratings were high. This week there is nothing scheduled, “ a famine week”. All right the students have to prepare for finals and end of the year labs and such. Is it time for the HHSAA to stagger these events? The sole purpose of a state tournament is to have one. That is first and foremost. The HHSAA is not in the business of popularity of promoting the sports through the media. One solution, have the championship for one of the two sports on a Sunday or Monday. Start one day later than the other sport and then rotate every year. An example would be to have Softball start on Wednesday and end Saturday and have Volleyball start on Thursday and have the Championship on Monday. Although several teams would have to spend an extra day for Sunday it could provide better coverage and fan support. Or have the tournament start on a Tuesday and end on Friday for one of the sports.
Let’s start staggering these events to increase fan support.
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Wie Needs To Get Rid Of the Weasy
Michele Wie, Hawaii’s child prodigy in golf just got her tickets taken. Her latest cut from the field in her last LPGA tournament proves that she still lacks the drive to propel her game to the top.
The best thing that happened to her recently was the exemption not handed out. She will have to see where this leads. The qualifying exemptions were the root of her problems, not injuries. She needs to toughen her mental approach to her game. Right now, Wie is a mentally fragile young adult. Her puppy dog appeal no longer exists. She will have to write her own story and foot the bill.
No one wants to carry a quitter and someone who constantly makes excuses. Her road was paved with glitter and easy passage to the back entrance. The best thing for her parents to do, would be to let her fight and qualify for her invites to these LPGA events. This will make her hungrier, mentally tougher, and most of all prove that she can do it on her own with her god given talent. Her talent is definitely there, but all champions are made mentally tough. You cannot take a short cut and hire a sports psychologist to pass through this. You have to get beat up (mentally). The only way to get beat up is to travel that road of experience. She has not been on that road; she has been in a limousine by passing that road. Tiger Woods was also a child prodigy golfer. However his road to his success was different than Wie, it was due to him fighting in all the amateur tournaments. Playing against his peers did him good and propelled him higher. Wie skipped this too early.
As an ancient Chinese proverb tells about the emperor who clipped the cocoon to help the butterfly morph faster actually crippled it. The process of struggling out of the cocoon for the butterfly forms its wings, body and legs. By the emperor cutting the cocoon he actually hurt the butterfly mature, as the butterfly lived it’s life flightless. The same thing can be said for Wie, her cocoon has been clipped. But she needs to travel the bumpy road by her self and only after this will she excel.
The best thing that happened to her recently was the exemption not handed out. She will have to see where this leads. The qualifying exemptions were the root of her problems, not injuries. She needs to toughen her mental approach to her game. Right now, Wie is a mentally fragile young adult. Her puppy dog appeal no longer exists. She will have to write her own story and foot the bill.
No one wants to carry a quitter and someone who constantly makes excuses. Her road was paved with glitter and easy passage to the back entrance. The best thing for her parents to do, would be to let her fight and qualify for her invites to these LPGA events. This will make her hungrier, mentally tougher, and most of all prove that she can do it on her own with her god given talent. Her talent is definitely there, but all champions are made mentally tough. You cannot take a short cut and hire a sports psychologist to pass through this. You have to get beat up (mentally). The only way to get beat up is to travel that road of experience. She has not been on that road; she has been in a limousine by passing that road. Tiger Woods was also a child prodigy golfer. However his road to his success was different than Wie, it was due to him fighting in all the amateur tournaments. Playing against his peers did him good and propelled him higher. Wie skipped this too early.
As an ancient Chinese proverb tells about the emperor who clipped the cocoon to help the butterfly morph faster actually crippled it. The process of struggling out of the cocoon for the butterfly forms its wings, body and legs. By the emperor cutting the cocoon he actually hurt the butterfly mature, as the butterfly lived it’s life flightless. The same thing can be said for Wie, her cocoon has been clipped. But she needs to travel the bumpy road by her self and only after this will she excel.
Unraveling the Traveling
Living in Hawaii is one of the best places in the world. Surrounded by environmental beauty, perfect weather, nice people, and great cross cultural experiences. However, we are isolated on a rock with ocean all around us. Traveling to and from each island does take on an added expense. Reality is, although we belong to one state, more than ocean separates us, we are separated by economics. The economies of scale work against this separation.
The HHSAA State Championships are becoming an economic burden for traveling teams. The culprit is higher fuel costs and lodging expenses. Everything is going up in cost. Recession is looming its ugly head. As more families face this economic crunch, traveling becomes a hardship.
What can the leagues do to alleviate this burden? A BIIF Boy's Volleyball DII team that just qualified for the HHSAA DII tournament is having difficulty coming up with funds to go to this tournament.
Each school is given some assistance by the HHSAA to go to the tournament, however the assistance is never nearly enough to cover every cost. Airfares have doubled since Aloha Airlines has gone out of business and seems to be going higher. Hotel and rental vans are harder to find and are expensive.
Each school's athletic department only has funds that operate the in season athletic programs and does not provide pre and post season traveling expenses. The athletic programs pretty much leaves this up to the parents of the teams traveling. Most teams have booster associations that fund raise to make up for this shortfall.
The problem exists due to the shortness of the season for most sports. Take for instance most seasons last only two months. Planning and fundraising must be done prior and after the season to have any kind of success. Most families are busy with club teams and other activities to do this.
It takes dedicated parents, a visionary booster board and a coach with leadership skills to pull this off. For smaller schools it just does not happen. Also most coaches today are busy with their real jobs and don't want to be bothered by fundraising. So what usually happens? Most families foot the bill. Now, it may seem like a minor expense for some families, but for those that are not as fortunate and live on a fixed budget it is a hardship.
So what can the Leagues and HHSAA do to make this better? Maybe better planning should be done.
1. The HHSAA should negotiate with Hawaiian Airlines or Go Airlines and reserve a big block of seats for the number of outer island teams that are slated to travel to the HHSAA tournaments. This would be reimbursed by traveling teams back to the HHSAA. By doing this you ensure you get the best price for seats rather than having teams scramble for expensive last minute seats.
2. The athletic programs should facilitate fundraising activities of each athletic program.
Come up with creative fundraising activities to assist assorted teams.
3. Business' like hotels and car rental companies need to look at creative ways to giving to this problem. Sometimes in a slumping economy, taking a tax deduction for donating to a cause like this is better than trying to increase sales. Maybe hotels and car rental companies could donate blocks of rooms and cars for HHSAA teams. If you have 10 hotels that donate just 4-5 rooms per tournament that is 50 rooms for the tournament. The HHSAA could hang the banners of those hotels at the tournament along with the major sponsor. Businesses would get a big tax deduction, the best advertising, and doing community service in one good swoop. In Hawaii we are in a unique situation, unlike mainland teams that can hop in a car and drive, we are at a big disadvantage. It is time for creative ways to unravel the travel dilemma.
Wednesday, April 16, 2008
Does The HHSAA Need To Change Their Voting Policy?
Heard locally on the ESPN Radio that BIIF Secretary Ken Yamase is asking the HHSAA to change it's voting procedures regarding HHSAA policy. Currently the HHSAA voting is weighted with the number of schools within a league. The OIA is the largest body in the HHSAA. It's voting power virtually, ensures what ever the OIA wants it gets. The OIA can get together and collude on issues it wants to pass, veto or table. Is this fair for the rest of the State? Smaller leagues like the KIF (Kauai), or MIL (Maui), have little power in the realm of the HHSAA.
Yamase is right; currently a body that votes democratically is wrong. It gives the majority too much power and little representation to the minority. A body with parliamentary procedures should be guided with a republic process. Meaning every league should have an equal vote. Even the smaller leagues should be heard or counted. The HHSAA makes policies and rules that govern, mainly the State tournaments. However, they also make some policies that may affect a local leagues policy. Why is this important, it controls High School athletics, currently the Girls Basketball season was changed to mirror the mainland girls season. This policy was carried out throughout the state.
Every league needs to hold a vote on issues within their leagues and then vote the way the majority is leaning at the HHSAA Meetings. The body of the HHSAA is made up of the state leagues and it's executives are governed and funded by the State of Hawaii. To change the bylaws of the association cannot be voted on by itself. Why? Because the majority (OIA) would never release their power and vote against this. The Governor, or legislative power needs to look into changing this procedure to ensure proper protocol and process. Our nation was founded on the process that even the minority gets a vote and voice. Currently the HHSAA is bullied by the OIA over the smaller outer island leagues and the ILH. What do you think? Is it time to have the governor or legislature step in and referee this policy?
Yamase is right; currently a body that votes democratically is wrong. It gives the majority too much power and little representation to the minority. A body with parliamentary procedures should be guided with a republic process. Meaning every league should have an equal vote. Even the smaller leagues should be heard or counted. The HHSAA makes policies and rules that govern, mainly the State tournaments. However, they also make some policies that may affect a local leagues policy. Why is this important, it controls High School athletics, currently the Girls Basketball season was changed to mirror the mainland girls season. This policy was carried out throughout the state.
Every league needs to hold a vote on issues within their leagues and then vote the way the majority is leaning at the HHSAA Meetings. The body of the HHSAA is made up of the state leagues and it's executives are governed and funded by the State of Hawaii. To change the bylaws of the association cannot be voted on by itself. Why? Because the majority (OIA) would never release their power and vote against this. The Governor, or legislative power needs to look into changing this procedure to ensure proper protocol and process. Our nation was founded on the process that even the minority gets a vote and voice. Currently the HHSAA is bullied by the OIA over the smaller outer island leagues and the ILH. What do you think? Is it time to have the governor or legislature step in and referee this policy?
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Time to set a limit on DII and make a DIAA Division
Compare small schools such as
Also, there are more public school athletes that don't get developed fully because public school athletic programs have gotten too burdensome, bureaucratic and have relied on coaches, club and outside leagues to develop the athletes, but those schools give coaches limited resources. Some athletic directors have even put up walls that deter off season involvement or use of facilities. I must mention that the Kahuku football program, Kailua baseball program, Pearl City baseball program, and the Kalaheo basketbal programs are some of the exceptions. I would suggest that the HHSAA change DII criteria to schools with 1,200 students and less. I would take it one step further and make a DIAA bracket somewhat like
Give different options and opportunities for different levels of play. Clinging on to old ways is not practical for todays large population. We still need the competitive division for the college to be athletes (showcasing) and the other alternative divisions that don’t have the same talent. What’s your thoughts………
Friday, February 22, 2008
HHSAA Tournament Needs Better Planning
The HHSAA Girls and Boys Basketball Tournament is currently going on with the venues of several high school gyms on Oahu. There are some great matchups like we saw in Konawaena girls versus Punahou and Kamehameha Hawaii versus Kalaheo. However, for us watching on OC16 at home some of the great matchups were not seen on TV or radio. Why, because the HHSAA thought it would be all right to put the tournament together at the same time. The word circulating is that the main venue of Blaisdell or Stan Sherrif was not available for the Girls tournament the previous week or it could have had something to do with a popular Jamboree tournament coinciding annually with the girls HHSAA tournament. Okay, no big stage for the final game or semifinals. We might hit a title nine issue here. So alas we have the current mess of having two tournaments at the same time. The gyms are spread out as far as Pearl City all the way to Waialae, some good match ups were not shown on TV or broadcasted on radio. Some outer islanders were delighted thinking they could watch more games and have a buffet of girls and boy's basketball. But the reality of it was the matchups clashed at primetime so most had to pick and choose where they would be. It would not be practicle to travel to Aiea from McKinley to watch the second half of another game. The results, less coverage for both tournaments and venues all over creation. Do you think the HHSAA should do this again?
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Hey wheres the ....
Didn't find any post worth commenting on? Don't worry post it here. What ever you want to comment on regarding Big Island or Hawaii Sports. Click comments below.
Joey Deserves A Round Of Applause
The University of Hawaii-Hilo Vulcans just ended the UH-Rainbows 15 game series winning streak over the weekend in a 4-3 win. Joey Estrella gets criticized for not winning at the Division I level where most of the elite players in college compete. However, to put together a win and to push the Rainbows to eleven innings in another game was sweet for the Vulcan Baseball Program. Under severe disadvantages and a small budget the Vulcans are able to compete and win a game or two versus some of the elite programs around the country. Estrella is doing a heck of a job, runs a clean program and his teams always competes tough to the end with many local players. Will this season be different? What are your thoughts about UHH going to division II for earlier start?
Clash of the Titans Over?
BIIF Girls and BIIF Boys Basketball Seasons just ended for 2008. What we saw, was a repeat schedule, referee burnout, thinned out crowds, bus shortages, and a season of blur. We can't do anything about changing the girls season. However, what can be done better for next year. What are your thoughts?
Did The BIIF Get Good Seedings For HHSAA Tourney?
The brackets came out for the HHSAA Basketball Tournaments. The Waiakea Girls got the number two seed for the Girls DI Tournament. What do you think of the pairings and the matchups. Kamehameha boys will have to deal with a tough draw of playing OIA power Kalaheo.
Friday, February 15, 2008
BIIF Soccer Teams In HHSAA Report Card
Okay the 2008 HHSAA Boys and Girls Soccer Tournaments are over and done with. The Kamehameha-Hawaii Girls finished with the DII Title while Konawaena Girls struggled. In boys Kealakehe got manhandled by Kamehameha-Kapalama but came back with a great win. It was a mixed bag of wins and losses for the BIIF. The BIIF has yet to win a HHSAA DI tournament and has not reached a semi final DI game in recent years in either Boys or Girls. Are we in danger of losing the first round bye? What are your thoughts about BIIF soccer and what needs to be done to become more competitive in DI Soccer?
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