Hawaii Winter League plans to return in October

[1908]

After a nine-year absence, winter baseball is set to return with four Oahu teams for a 40-game, two-month season. Details about the developmental league are expected soon, according to Duane Kurisu, president of the league that existed from 1993 to 1997 and who has been working to restart the league.

 

The league shut down because of lack of significant investment by Major League Baseball. The former league had five teams on four islands and featured some prospects, including Ichiro Suzuki [and Jason Giambi, too].

 

The Hawaii Star-Bulletin reports that financial support from Japanese baseball is considered key for the revival. An announcement is expected to be made in Japan with a source telling the paper that "the league is definitely a go."

 

An editorial in the Hawaii paper noted: "Outside financial help seems necessary to support pro sports teams in Hawaii. The Triple-A Hawaii Islanders played for 27 years before folding in 1987 because of dwindling attendance at Aloha Stadium.

 

"The Hawaiian Islanders arena football franchise folded in 2004 after losing $1.3 million in its third season.

 

"A team assigned to the American Basketball Association fell apart last December after only two games."

The league has a preliminary web site set up. It's going to be hard for me to resist the chance to see prospects from MLB and NPB teams play together and against each other in paradise, although I suspect air fare will be a powerful deterrent.

[TruffleShuffle]

Perhaps NSBB would pay for me to go scout Cub prospects in the Hawaiian Winter League? '[-o<'

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Did anybody good ever play in the league? Mike Glendenning on the home page?

[Garwilly]

Did anybody good ever play in the league? Mike Glendenning on the home page?

 

Go to the pictures, the first one is of Barrett.

[Guest]

Did anybody good ever play in the league? Mike Glendenning on the home page?

Are Ichiro and Giambi considered good?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Perhaps NSBB would pay for me to go scout Cub prospects in the Hawaiian Winter League? '[-o<'

 

pfffft...NSBB should only send a TRUE scout, like me!!!!!

 

 

:D

[Garwilly]

Perhaps NSBB would pay for me to go scout Cub prospects in the Hawaiian Winter League? '[-o<'

 

pfffft...NSBB should only send a TRUE scout, like me!!!!!

 

 

:D

 

A boy scout?

[Ding Dong Johnson]

Did anybody good ever play in the league? Mike Glendenning on the home page?

Are Ichiro and Giambi considered good?

 

I'm sure they're more home page pic worthy than Mike Glendenning.

[1908]

Did anybody good ever play in the league?

Alumni

 

Marquee names include Ichiro, Giambi and Helton. Others include Michael Barrett, Aaron Boone, Adam Kennedy, Mark Kotsay, Bill Mueller, AJ Pierzynski and Randy Winn. So, yes.

[Brian]

http://www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com/gallery/BARRETT.jpg

 

oh bare bare.

[Brian]

Did anybody good ever play in the league?

Alumni

 

Marquee names include Ichiro, Giambi and Helton. Others include Michael Barrett, Aaron Boone, Adam Kennedy, Mark Kotsay, Bill Mueller, AJ Pierzynski and Randy Winn. So, yes.

 

don't forget So Taguchi

[Derwood]

Does this make my 1995 Maui Stingrays shirt and cap less valuable now?

[minnesotacubsfan]

Perhaps NSBB would pay for me to go scout Cub prospects in the Hawaiian Winter League? '[-o<'

 

pfffft...NSBB should only send a TRUE scout, like me!!!!!

 

 

:D

 

A boy scout?

 

better then you, girl scout!!!

 

:P