We ended the 3 day tournament with at 3-0 record. I believe we played 2 of the tougher teams in the tournament. A team from Aiea and one from Ewa Beach. We outscored the three teams by a total of 32-5. Despite a couple of injuries and missing players, the team as a whole played very well.
Blake ended up going 2-6 with 5 Runs scored, an RBI, 2 Walks, and 3 Stolen Bases. For the most part, he hit the ball solidly, but just toward fielders. The good thing is that he's hitting a bit harder so he got on base a lot via fielding errors. Harder hit balls == harder to field.....yeah...I'm going with that.
I also have a web site up and running for our team. I've got some of the box scores and stats posted. Check it out if you want to see the details. KAC Twins
This week is the opening weekend for our league. Games on Saturday and Sunday. I'm going to try to get a bunch of pictures this weekend to post.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Monday, February 9, 2009
Taiwan Team
This weekend, we played against a team from Taiwan. They were here for the week to play a bunch of teams from Hawaii in an informal Goodwill type tournament. I think this team was the runner up to the one that went to the Little League World Series International tournament.
It was a really good game. The team from Taiwan was very disciplined, as you would expect, and the game was close and very competitive. We played by Little League rules, which meant that we were not able to steal bases. We were tied at 3 up to the 5th inning, but ended up losing 5-3 in 6 innings.
Blake played a pretty good game. He got on base twice and scored once. He hit two hard balls at the short stop. The first went under the SS glove and went into left field, so he reached on an Error. His second at bat was a bit stranger, the ball was hit toward second base on the short stop side. Since there was a man on first, the SS and 2B were pinched in to turn the double play. The ball rolled up the SS, out of his glove and up off his shoulder and landed right at the 2B who was on second base, forcing out the runner. Blake got on base...not sure if this is a Fielders Choice or an E6. In any case, he later scored on a bases loaded walk. We ended up only scoring that single run, leaving 3 men on base. His last at bat, he was way ahead of the pitch and hit the ball off the end of his bat to line out to the second baseman. He played well in the field, making all the plays that were hit to him at second base. He also just missed turning a double play. I may be a bit bias here, but the kid is smooth.
After the game, we had a potluck with the Taiwan team. All the boys mingled together and talked...even though there was a language barrier to overcome. The Taiwan team even did a little dance and a song for us. Our team went up and joined in during the dance portion and gave a good effort singing "Take me out to the Ballgame". The Taiwan boys also taught them a little game. I still don't understand it but it seems to be a mutated form of Jun-Ken-Po.
Anyway, it was a great game and an awesome experience for the kids to interact with people from another culture.
It was a really good game. The team from Taiwan was very disciplined, as you would expect, and the game was close and very competitive. We played by Little League rules, which meant that we were not able to steal bases. We were tied at 3 up to the 5th inning, but ended up losing 5-3 in 6 innings.
Blake played a pretty good game. He got on base twice and scored once. He hit two hard balls at the short stop. The first went under the SS glove and went into left field, so he reached on an Error. His second at bat was a bit stranger, the ball was hit toward second base on the short stop side. Since there was a man on first, the SS and 2B were pinched in to turn the double play. The ball rolled up the SS, out of his glove and up off his shoulder and landed right at the 2B who was on second base, forcing out the runner. Blake got on base...not sure if this is a Fielders Choice or an E6. In any case, he later scored on a bases loaded walk. We ended up only scoring that single run, leaving 3 men on base. His last at bat, he was way ahead of the pitch and hit the ball off the end of his bat to line out to the second baseman. He played well in the field, making all the plays that were hit to him at second base. He also just missed turning a double play. I may be a bit bias here, but the kid is smooth.
After the game, we had a potluck with the Taiwan team. All the boys mingled together and talked...even though there was a language barrier to overcome. The Taiwan team even did a little dance and a song for us. Our team went up and joined in during the dance portion and gave a good effort singing "Take me out to the Ballgame". The Taiwan boys also taught them a little game. I still don't understand it but it seems to be a mutated form of Jun-Ken-Po.
Anyway, it was a great game and an awesome experience for the kids to interact with people from another culture.
Saturday, January 31, 2009
It Does Come In Threes
The saying goes, Bad Luck Comes In Threes. Seems as though they are right because one more injury has plagued Blake.
He chipped...actually he broke off two of his teeth. A fourth of one of his upper front tooth and nearly the entire smaller tooth next to it, broke off. This time he was running around after school and fell and hit a curb, or something like that.
Lucky for us, we know a dentist (thx again Peter). He came in on his day off to fix Blake up. He had to do a root canal on one of them and made temporary, cosmetic repairs on the other one. We're going to see him again once the teeth settle and he can better assess any additional damage to the teeth.
He's all fine now. Just having problems (fun) with saying words that start with 'S'.
Hopefully this it the third and final mishap.
He chipped...actually he broke off two of his teeth. A fourth of one of his upper front tooth and nearly the entire smaller tooth next to it, broke off. This time he was running around after school and fell and hit a curb, or something like that.
Lucky for us, we know a dentist (thx again Peter). He came in on his day off to fix Blake up. He had to do a root canal on one of them and made temporary, cosmetic repairs on the other one. We're going to see him again once the teeth settle and he can better assess any additional damage to the teeth.
He's all fine now. Just having problems (fun) with saying words that start with 'S'.
Hopefully this it the third and final mishap.
Sunday, January 25, 2009
Turtle Bay Getaway
Jan 17-19 2009
Last weekend, we stayed over at the Turtle Bay condos. We used to do this every year, way back when, with a bunch of friends of ours. We'd all chip in for the condo and food and other "essentials" and just relax for a nice long 3 day weekend. We stopped planning this once we all got busy with family and stuff. But now that the kids are a little older, we decided it was time to get back out to the North Shore for some fun and relaxation.
First of all, the condos are newly renovated, so they are much nicer than the 70s decore that I remembered from past stays. I took some pictures when we first got there, but they didn't come out too well, so you have to use your imagination here. The condo has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a loft area. New HD TVs, furniture, and appliances, all from Costco, we think. And some really ugly brown and green counter tops. But otherwise, really nice and clean.
So all we needed to do was pack away all our supplies...
And relax....
The highlight of our trip was a horseback riding tour around the Turtle Bay area. We got to ride out onto the beach and into some forest areas surrounding the golf course. The horses were all nice and calm and the ride was easy and the scenery was spectacular. We even rode past a set location for Lost.
We had a great weekend. The waves were a bit rough, so we swam in the pool (it was heated). We played Sorry and cards, built a ginger bread house, and threw range balls out onto the golf course. We ate good food, drank a bit-o-beer, and talked and laughed late into the night. Just like the good ol' days....but somehow better.
some extra bonus "Scenery" shots...that everyone hates, but i love.
Last weekend, we stayed over at the Turtle Bay condos. We used to do this every year, way back when, with a bunch of friends of ours. We'd all chip in for the condo and food and other "essentials" and just relax for a nice long 3 day weekend. We stopped planning this once we all got busy with family and stuff. But now that the kids are a little older, we decided it was time to get back out to the North Shore for some fun and relaxation.
First of all, the condos are newly renovated, so they are much nicer than the 70s decore that I remembered from past stays. I took some pictures when we first got there, but they didn't come out too well, so you have to use your imagination here. The condo has 2 bedrooms, 2 baths, and a loft area. New HD TVs, furniture, and appliances, all from Costco, we think. And some really ugly brown and green counter tops. But otherwise, really nice and clean.
So all we needed to do was pack away all our supplies...
And relax....
The highlight of our trip was a horseback riding tour around the Turtle Bay area. We got to ride out onto the beach and into some forest areas surrounding the golf course. The horses were all nice and calm and the ride was easy and the scenery was spectacular. We even rode past a set location for Lost.
We had a great weekend. The waves were a bit rough, so we swam in the pool (it was heated). We played Sorry and cards, built a ginger bread house, and threw range balls out onto the golf course. We ate good food, drank a bit-o-beer, and talked and laughed late into the night. Just like the good ol' days....but somehow better.
some extra bonus "Scenery" shots...that everyone hates, but i love.
Wednesday, January 7, 2009
UH Football Banquet
Another post from the past. The recent past....early December 2008 to be exact.
We were lucky enough to be invited to the 2008 University of Hawaii Football Banquet.
The banquet is an annual event held at the end of the football season where they give out awards to the players, recap the season, and let fans get up close to the player for photos and autographs.
One of the kids brought a football for autographs.....but only for certain players. He hid it from the guys who he didn't want to sign ball. (smart)
They had a bunch of huge screens setup to watch a video recap of the season. There were also a number of speeches, including one from Admiral Tim Keating, Commander of the US Pacific Command. He actually walked through the entire ballroom as he delivered his speech. Quite impressive.
Here's our friend Wendy, who just had to have a picture with Shawn Ching, former KITV news anchor.
We had a great evening. The food was pretty good and it's always fun hanging out with the Hamadas and Teruyas.
We were lucky enough to be invited to the 2008 University of Hawaii Football Banquet.
The banquet is an annual event held at the end of the football season where they give out awards to the players, recap the season, and let fans get up close to the player for photos and autographs.
One of the kids brought a football for autographs.....but only for certain players. He hid it from the guys who he didn't want to sign ball. (smart)
They had a bunch of huge screens setup to watch a video recap of the season. There were also a number of speeches, including one from Admiral Tim Keating, Commander of the US Pacific Command. He actually walked through the entire ballroom as he delivered his speech. Quite impressive.
Here's our friend Wendy, who just had to have a picture with Shawn Ching, former KITV news anchor.
We had a great evening. The food was pretty good and it's always fun hanging out with the Hamadas and Teruyas.
Tuesday, January 6, 2009
Hawaii Bowl
This post is a bit late.... but we got a chance to go to see the University of Hawaii play Notre Dame in the Hawaii Bowl. A friend of our bought a block of tickets (with the all so convenient parking passes included) to the game (thx Mark).
A whole bunch of us went out to the stadium for some football fun. We tailgated, ate some great potluck food, the kids played football in the parking lot, and we got to see Notre Dame pick apart the UH defense.
I think UH could have done better, but it seemed to me that the QB wasn't able to pickup the receivers that were open on the shorter routes and was also having trouble connecting with the ones that he did throw to. Add in the fact that Notre Dame was just a bit bigger and faster and I guess that would explain the 49-21 loss.
But we still had a great time and it was good to see Hawaii in another bowl game.
We are on the shady side!!!
Fire at halftime
Hawaii Bowl (I like Aloha Bowl better)
A whole bunch of us went out to the stadium for some football fun. We tailgated, ate some great potluck food, the kids played football in the parking lot, and we got to see Notre Dame pick apart the UH defense.
I think UH could have done better, but it seemed to me that the QB wasn't able to pickup the receivers that were open on the shorter routes and was also having trouble connecting with the ones that he did throw to. Add in the fact that Notre Dame was just a bit bigger and faster and I guess that would explain the 49-21 loss.
But we still had a great time and it was good to see Hawaii in another bowl game.
Saturday, December 27, 2008
Lights Out
We had a major power outage last night. Almost the entire island of Oahu lost power around 6:30 pm. Power came on for us around 6:00 am this morning.
We're not sure how it happened. Initial news reports mentioned several major transmission lines that went down, perhaps from the strong winds we've been having. This, like most other Hawaii blackouts, caused the power stations to trip off one after another as a precaution. Once the generators are down, it takes several hours to put them back on line.
Lucky for us, we were at home at the time. We heard that traffic was really bad, with all the people leaving the shopping malls all at once without any traffic lights to guide them. There were some grocery stores open and for some reason people felt that they really really needed to get some food or supplies (probably toilet paper). In any case, lines were out the door, just to get into the store. Here is pic that a friend of mine (thx Russ) took at the Times Supermarket in Kahala.
A lot of people in Palolo valley took the black out as an opportunity to set off their illegal fireworks. I wish I got some photos of those since the lights from the fireworks lit up the entire valley. I was pretty cool.
We spent the rest of the evening listening to the crazy people calling into the radio stations and just relaxing.....or suffering, as my son says, with only Game Boys, PSP, and iPods to entertain us.
Oh, and if you were wondering....the Obamas (who are vacationing in Kailua right now) are fine.
We're not sure how it happened. Initial news reports mentioned several major transmission lines that went down, perhaps from the strong winds we've been having. This, like most other Hawaii blackouts, caused the power stations to trip off one after another as a precaution. Once the generators are down, it takes several hours to put them back on line.
Lucky for us, we were at home at the time. We heard that traffic was really bad, with all the people leaving the shopping malls all at once without any traffic lights to guide them. There were some grocery stores open and for some reason people felt that they really really needed to get some food or supplies (probably toilet paper). In any case, lines were out the door, just to get into the store. Here is pic that a friend of mine (thx Russ) took at the Times Supermarket in Kahala.
A lot of people in Palolo valley took the black out as an opportunity to set off their illegal fireworks. I wish I got some photos of those since the lights from the fireworks lit up the entire valley. I was pretty cool.
We spent the rest of the evening listening to the crazy people calling into the radio stations and just relaxing.....or suffering, as my son says, with only Game Boys, PSP, and iPods to entertain us.
Oh, and if you were wondering....the Obamas (who are vacationing in Kailua right now) are fine.
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