Hawaii eyes title defense

SOUTH WILLIAMSPORT, Pa. — Hawaii sits behind all but 10 U.S. states in population, but when it comes to the Little League World Series, it’s become America’s hottest team.

Since 2005, the islands have claimed three LLWS titles, the most by any state. Internationally, only Japan has claimed more championships in South Williamsport over that time span.

Hawaii will again represent the West Region this year, sending Central East Maui Little League to defend the title won by Honolulu Little League last year. This the first team from the island of Maui to earn a trip to the LLWS.

“Everybody’s pumped,” Hawaii coach Brad Lung said. “People don’t realize, it’s really big in Hawaii.”

Some of the biggest names in Hawaii sports have taken time to express their support.

Former big leaguer Shane Victorino — the “Flyin’ Hawaiian” during his playing days — played in the Central Maui Little League system and came to the game where Hawaii earned its trip to central Pennsylvania. Current Washington Nationals catcher Kurt Suzuki also played Little League ball in Maui.

“It makes me feel proud for our state,” Hawaii player Kaleb Mathias said.

Where baseball seems to be trending toward power at every level, Hawaii hopes to win with fundamentals.

More than 4,700 miles from their practice field at home, which didn’t even have a backstop until this team purchased a makeshift one, the players drilled with a sense of urgency, knowing they play the game differently than last year’s Honolulu team, which Lung said relied on its stars for dominant pitching and big hits.

If this team claims a title, it will have to take a different path.

“There’s no stars,” Lung said. “Everybody just plays well together. Last year, everybody could see, Honolulu had studs.

“These boys, they’ve just bought into playing together, they’ve jelled really well.”

Hawaii’s practice was noisy Wednesday, with each of the team’s three coaches making a correction or yelling instructions on almost every single play.

“Ball first,” ”footwork” and “accuracy” were common refrains. They won’t outslug anyone, Lung said, so the players must master the little things.