By KEVIN JAKAHI
By KEVIN JAKAHI
Tribune-Herald sports writer
The Hawaii Stars of the independent North American Baseball League named Garry Templeton Jr. as manager and Kaha Wong as on-field operations consultant on Wednesday, batting 2 for 5 or .400 in filling key requirements.
That batting average could soon take a drastic bump to 4 for 5 because Maui Na Koa Ikaika general manager Dan Partney is close to releasing a revised schedule and bringing aboard Clyde Nekoba, who was the Hilo Stars GM of Hawaii Winter Baseball, as a business consultant.
The league, which is set to start June 5 with the Hawaii Stars at Maui, also announced a tryout for local players Sunday and Monday on Maui. Due to time constraints, there won’t be a Hilo tryout, said Partney, who added there will be one next year in Hilo.
Once players are on the roster and everyone is in place, the Stars will be batting 5 for 5 and ready for the season opener on Maui.
“When I first came on board, giving kama‘aina first shot at making the team was one of the first changes that I made,” he said. “These teams are for the people of Hawaii and should consist of as many talented players from Hawaii as possible. The state is loaded with great baseball talent.”
Partney said topping his list of priorities at Wong Stadium is to replace the black mesh on the outfield fence, installed to prevent non-paying customers from enjoying a free ride.
“That’s like No. 1 on my list,” he said. “Down the road, we’ll see money used to make the concession serving area better. With the 50th anniversary of the Merrie Monarch coming, it would stand out if we painted areas around the stadium. It doesn’t hurt to have a fresh look of paint on old painted areas.”
The Stars, in their inaugural year, and the Na Koa Ikaika will compete in the North Division, which includes the San Rafael Pacifics and the Sonoma County Grapes. There are six teams in the South Division.
Templeton was an assistant coach to his father Garry Templeton, who was the Maui manager last year. He was picked by the Anaheim Angels in the 49th round in 1999 in the Major League Baseball draft. He spent two seasons in the Angels’ farm system, and seven years in independent leagues.
Wong will have a part-time role because he’ll try to wear himself out running his hitting school on Railroad Avenue while volunteer coaching the Big League and Senior League teams. He said most of the Senior players on the World Series championship team will jump to Big League, including Waiakea sophomore Kodi Medeiros.
The Little League summer schedule starts next Wednesday and games for Junior (ages 13-14), Senior (15-16) and Big League (17-18) will also run on Friday and Saturday. There will be 12 games for each division.
When the Hawaii Stars play at Wong Stadium, Little League will be accommodating and play games at Walter Victor Stadium.
Next year, NABL is planning a winter league to run from October to November. That’s the same time span as the Big Island Wood Bat League, which also plays games at Wong Stadium. Games will be moved to Papaikou field or Victor.
“We had all the dates for Senior and Big League at Wong Stadium. We’re making a sacrifice for the wood bat league, too,” said Wong, who thinks the Hawaii Stars can draw 500 to 700 fans a night, if things are done right. “My hope is we keep this thing going and it’s not short term.
“There’s not much things to do in Hilo. It’s exciting for kids and parents. It gives local kids after their done playing in college who still have the talent and desire to have that opportunity. The younger kids can pick up things to make them better players, and give coaches a different way to coaching kids. It’s all positive things coming here.”
Wong’s hitting school is in a warehouse, and Partney envisions building a pitching and batting facility in a place like that for the winter league players to train. It would also be used for local products as well.
“I have guys who play all summer,” Partney said. “I see us becoming a full-time business. That’s what we want. We want to get local investors who want to work with us, and take the team as their own.
“My whole thing is to surround myself with baseball people because they do things for the right reason. When you find someone who loves the game, like Kaha, that’s how you build an organization.”
Independent
pro baseball
What: Maui, Hawaii tryouts
When: Monday-Tuesday
Where: Iron Maehara Stadium, Maui
Home opener: June 12 against Sonoma County Grapes
Info: 873-7826, mauiprobaseball.com