Unlike other sports, baseball is a long, slow game. During the multiple segments — or innings —, each team gets to play defense and a turn at bat. During the course of a game, the score can change drastically.
A team could be behind for the whole game, and in the last inning, with two strikes against the batter, a hit could be made, and that player gets on base. Then, if more hits are made and baserunners keep advancing toward home base, a team could come from behind to win. In baseball, things can change, and miracles can happen. This is a metaphor for life, to never lose hope.
“Baseball teaches children how to process failures maturely. In life, you fail more than you succeed. So, if you learn how to deal with failure as a child, you can keep striving for success as an adult,” says Nic Mount, former president of the West Side Hawai’i Little League (WSHLL).
During a game, keiki experience many emotions: excitement, happiness, fear, and even anger. Yet, those who can control their feelings succeed. “When I’m catching, I keep my eyes on the ball to make sure it's right in my glove,” shares 11-year-old Jonah Newcomb.
Staying focused on the goal, combined with the support received from their peers, ingrains the players the importance of being part of a community. Families who plug into the WSHLL spend time with other families and soon realize they are part of a much larger ‘ohana. “This year, my son struggled all season at bat. We're at our last few games, and now he's hitting the ball. That's all because of the team getting him there and him staying determined,” says Drianna Pantohan.
This nurturing environment helped Pu’uwai Lanning, who worried about being the first girl to join the WSHLL when she was 9. The boys soon realized how good she was on the field, and respect for her grew. Her example encouraged other girls to join the league as well. Now, at age 14, she sends a message to future female players, “Do your best and don’t care what others think. Believe in yourself. You can do whatever boys do.”
That confidence level is only achieved with the right support. Yet, it must be acknowledged that help has also come from outside the field. When a batter faces the nine opponent players, their team cheers for them from the sidelines. In the same way, institutions have been there for the WSHLL.
After the pandemic, David Reese, Kohanaiki’s CEO, was approached by the league president, who asked for support to restart the program. “One of our values is to be good stewards of the land and respect people,” David says. Considering the community’s needs and the potential impact, the Kohanaiki Foundation decided to help through its members' donation fund and became one of WSHLL’s main patrons. That action benefited almost 500 Big Island households this year alone.
“The businesses that can donate are actually touching children and giving back to an organization that's right there in their community. We can't thank them enough. It takes a lot to keep this running, so thank you so much for giving,” says Stephanie Gandomi, WSHLL’s treasurer.
As the Little League is a nonprofit organization, everyone from umpires to coaches and even the board of directors donates their time. Some of them don’t have children of their own, yet they choose to help out of love. Volunteers undergo a thorough background check and are trained to serve excellently, ensuring the league's values are faithfully passed on from generation to generation. The hours spent caring for the public parks benefit the WSHLL and the county.
“I can’t say enough how important it is to have volunteers. Without them and the players, we wouldn't have a league,” says Britany Belisario, WSHLL’s president.
Yet, this is not where parents can sign their kids and expect someone else to coach them. Instead, every member has to do their part. “I'm really proud of what the West Side Hawai’i Little League has accomplished. I encourage parents to volunteer their time, be team moms, third baseman coaches, or whatever,” shares David Reese, Kohanaiki’s CEO.
Nevertheless, the WSHLL doesn’t have its own facilities. There are only eight true baseball diamonds located from Kailua-Kona to Kealakekua. “There's not enough field space. We're basically battling against all other sports on who gets what field. It's unfair to everyone that it has to be a pick and choose who gets the field,” says Tiani Lanning, WSHLL’s vice president.
As children can’t drive themselves, having parks within walking distance of every neighborhood would be a game changer for the Big Island. It would provide a safe place to play without the risk of ongoing traffic while incorporating health and wellness as a regular part of their lives. Britany Belisario, WSHLL’s president, shares that their big dream is to lease land to provide the WSHLL with its own baseball facility and fields. This might seem impossible to some, but just like keiki in baseball, we should also keep hoping.
“Our children won't know they're the future if we don't care for them. We must give them the attention they deserve and need,” says Nic Mount.
To get involved, visit WSHLL.com.
Since 2007, the WSHLL has trained youth on the Big Island. Open to all children ages 3.5-16, the program offers tee ball, coach pitch, and player pitch baseball for Minors, Majors, and Upper Divisions.
After pausing in 2020 due to the global pandemic, it resumed operations in 2022. Since then, every volunteer worked hard to make baseball a thriving sport again in Kona. In its latest season, almost 500 children registered.
For those considering volunteering or signing up the keiki, start by attending some games and express your interest at westsidelittleleaguehawaii@gmail.com. The WSHLL’s annual general membership meeting on the fourth Saturday of September is open to the public and provides a good perspective on the league's current direction and involvement opportunities.
Baseball teaches children how to process failures maturely.
It takes a lot to keep this running, so thank you so much for giving.