Big Island briefs, July 4

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Hilo Pinto player-pitch squad ousted

Hilo Pinto player-pitch squad ousted

At the state PONY tournament, the Hilo All-Star Pinto player-pitch team got a taste of one of Oahu’s rising juggernauts.

West Oahu (Kapolei/Ewa Beach) thumped Hilo 10-5 on Sunday at Central Oahu Regional Park, eliminating the Big Islanders.

Kapolei is often touted as Oahu’s second city with its growing population of over 15,000, and the athletic talent is also prospering.

In fact, Kapolei lost to Kamehameha 5-4 in the HHSAA Division II state baseball championship in May at Wong Stadium.

A lot of those Hurricanes came up through the PONY ranks and played at feeder programs like at West Oahu Pinto.

West Oahu eliminated the Hilo All-Stars 10-5 and will play either Windward (Kailua) or its neighbor Waianae for the state championship on the Fourth of July.

“The kids put it all out on the line. I couldn’t be any prouder,” Hilo coach Donovan Akau said.

USA Football clinic for youth and BIIF coaches

USA Football will hold a Heads Up player safety coach clinic at 8 a.m. and 2 p.m. Wednesday, July 6 at the field near Kawananakoa Gym. Then USA Football will teach Heads Up football to BIIF and youth coaches, players and parents from 5 to 9 p.m. also on Wednesday.

Terry Summerfield, a USA Football master trainer and assistant coach for Barlow (Ore.) High, will run the clinic. The night topics will include concussion recognition and response, heat stroke and sudden cardiac arrest protocols, and Heads Up tackling and blocking fundamentals.

After completing the Player Safety Coach clinic training, these individuals will oversee their league’s implementation of the USA Football program. Player Safety Coaches monitor practices and games throughout the season.

For more information, call Terry Summerfield, USA Football, at 971-275-3663

AYSO seeks volunteers and players

AYSO (American Youth Soccer Organization) is looking for volunteers and players for fall season. Players must be 4 years old by July 31, 2016. Some space on some teams. Mail $85 and registration form to AYSO. PO Box 5000, Hilo, HI 96720. Registration forms available at Sports Line, 417 Kalanikoa Street, at Life Care Center of Hilo, 944 West Kawailani Street and online www.eayso.org. Questions call Chris Ridley 443-7360 (ridley0428@gmail.com).

Registration forms available at Sports Line, 417 Kalanikoa Street, at Life Care Center of Hilo, 944 West Kawailani Street and online www.eayso.org.

For more information, call Chris Ridley 443-7360 (ridley0428@gmail.com).