Universal Baseball Encyclopedia: Hawaii League

1933-5-12 A. Asahi averages on Manila-Japan trip. Jakucki was 6-4, hit .307, and led team with 8 home runs. Johnny Kerr was 11-0 and hit .265 with 6 home runs.

1925-3-18 SF. Louis Camacho one of nine youngsters released by Seals.

1925-8-05 A. 4th in series of baseball instructional articles written by Jimmy Moriyama, Asahi manager and former St. Louis College coach.

1928-7-05 B. Standings. Johnny Riddle, Braves star 2b, will be out for rest of season. Broke right ankle sliding into 3rd.

1929-8-11 A. Preview. Earl Vida is nursing bad elbow.

1930-8-29 B. The Seals have signed Braves 18-year-old outfielder Frank Morris on the recommendation of George L. Haneberg, veteran Santa Clara University shortstop, who coached the Braves to the championship in 1928.

1931-4-28 B. The Seals farmed Frank Morris to Globe, then released him to make room for Clyde Perry. Seals secretary says they will find a job for him and Morris will go to the Seals' training camp in 1932.

1931-4-10 B. Dr. Lam turned All-Chinese franchise over to Harry A. Yim, who managed last year. En Sue will coach team.

"When asked what policy he will adopt regarding the developing of the squad, Coach Pung has this to say:

"The Chinese team needs new blood and I propose to give every one who turns out a good tryout. If he makes the grade, he will get position. There will be no partiality shown and the veterans will have to practice as hard as those who come out for the first time."

This is the same policy adopted by George L. Haneberg of the Braves in the endeavor to mold the strongest possible team. The Braves are getting good results, for not only are the so-called rookies working, but the veterans are hard pressed for their jobs for fear of being dislodged.

The Hawaii Baseball league will open on May 3. On May 30 the Philadelphia Royal Giants will be here to start an exhibition series which will last until the middle of July."

1931-11-30 B. Graphic with indiv pics of every Braves player. Braves will go on three month tour of Orient - primarily Philippines, but China and Japan too. Roster listed, with full names.

1932-1-22 B. Good pics of Jakucki, "shortstop and all-around star," Norman Markham, first baseman, Charles Luis, coach and catcher, Sam Guerrero, veteran pitcher, and George Rodrigues, "outfielder and hitting star." Also Adam Ornellas, Braves president, and manager Arthur Freitas.

Braves will play ten games in Manila, a few in Hong Kong, six in Shanghai, and ten in Japan. Scheduled to back by 4-27 for start of season. Clarence (Lefty) Kumalae, Braves star pitcher, will not accompany the team, but it has been strengthened by players from other teams.

1932-9-10 B. All-Star teams selected.

1934-4-25 B. Pic of Wilfred C. Tsukiyama, new Asahi franchise owner. Is local city and county attorney. Born here in 1897-3-22. Played for the Asahis 1913-15, Nippons 1917-18, and played for the University of Chicago in 1923.

1934-5-22 Talk. "I tried to convince Beaven more than five years ago that making a racial circuit out of the Hawaii League was a lot of huey... And the idea of running a flock of outside teams in the middle of the season also killed fan interest..."

1935-5-18 B. Preview.

1935-8-13 Post-Advertiser. All-Star teams named.

1935-12-12 Star-Bulletin. Braves hope to better their 29-6 record in 1932 on their international tour. Roster listed, with full names. Albert "Nobrega" will play 1st, Manuel (Kahuku) Rodrigues will pitch.

There will be benefit dance for Braves on 12-14. Advertisers wish team well.

1935-12-12 Star-Bulletin. Allen Frank Andrade, Braves outfielder, will tryout with the Seals. Pic. He is 23 years old, 5'11", 165 lb., bats and throws left. Played for Punahou and University of Hawaii in school days.

George L. Haneberg, police court prosecutor and Braves coach, is a warm friend of Charles Graham, Seals owner.

1935-12-12 Contin. Graham asked Haneberg if there were any prospects on the island - Haneberg recommended Andrade. Andrade works in the police department.

"Andrade is the son of William G. Andrade, local merchant. He finished Punahou in 1931. While there he played on the school baseball team the last three seasons, pitching and outfielding the Buffanblus to the league championship in 1931.

He was one of the leading batters of the circuit that season.

From Punahou, Andrade went to the University of Hawaii, where he continued to shine on the diamond.

While attending the local university, Andrade was playing in the senior league as a member of the Wanderers' team. Meanwhile, he had given up pitching altogether to concentrate in the outfield where his speed was utilized to great advantage.

Toured Japan

Andrade accompanied the University of Hawaii baseball team which toured Japan in 1932. Returning later that year, Andrade got the opportunity of playing against a collection of major league players brought to perform in Honolulu by Herb Hunter.

Against the pitching of, Hollis Thurston, then with Pittsburgh, Andrade made two singles and scored the only run the Hawaii nine made off the big timers. He stole the only base in the game."

1935-12-21 Bulletin. Three of the six teams are not only in favor of trading players but have already begun doing so. In favor of the idea are Bill Inman (Wanderers), Harry A. Yim, All-Chinese boss, and Adam Ornellas, Braves president. Wilfred Tsukiyama of the Asahis also supports idea.

Earl Vida, star Wanderers pitcher, tried to All-Chinese to be their coach and manager.

Hans Pung released to the Wanderers in exchange for Vida. Joe Duarte, promising 3b, released to the Wanderers by the Braves for a player to be named later. Wanderers released two Japanese players to proposed Rural Oahu Japanese team.

League plans to add two new teams for 1936 season: Rural Oahu Japanese team to be coached jointly by Takeo (Fat) Nakamura, former Wanderers catcher, and K. (Fat) Yoshida, former Asahi star, and 64th Coast Artillery. Artillery needs permission from army authorities.

Yoshio (Kaiser) Tanaka and "Slim" Hirakawa, Asahi battery the last two seasons, have been approached to play pro ball in Japan.

Johnny Mintus, Wanderers pitcher, is returning to Pittsburgh.

1936-5-02 Advertiser. Sam Guerrero, Braves coach, returned early from tour with Walter Rodrigues. Guerrero says all the Japanese pro teams are trying to sign up Kunihisa.

Sambo Takahashi, former Mid-Pacific Institute star athlete, is with Nagoya. (Koshio Takahashi.)

"Guerrero was appointed by the pro teams as their representative and scout in Honolulu. The teams in Japan are hot after local ball players."

1936-5-09 Pic. Braves team returns from Orient tour - strengthened in Hawaii League by return of regulars. Full names listed. Lawrence Kunihisa played with Braves team on tour.

1936-5-09 Star-Bulletin. Wanderers team pic. Braves were 12-5 in Phillipines and 11-6 in Japan. Lawrence Kunihisa was offered a contract by a Japanese pro team.

1936-9-19 B. Buster North pic in Nagoya uniform. Is home from Japan.

"Coming directly from Hollywood, where he is associated with Paul Muni, movie comedian, acting as double for some of those dangerous, difficult roles, he is, however, an island born youth, son of Mrs. Julia North of 2230 S. Beretania St.

During the previous spring and summer he played in the Nagoya Shin-aichi team. His batting averaged high, making such an impression on the players that the newspaper which sponsored him considered having him bring over Hawaiian born players next year.

"The Japanese have speed and grit, but their hitting is poor," he said. "They should work more for high batting average."

He will live awhile with his mother until Hollywood calls him over."

1937-4-10 B. Buster North will pitch for Wanderers. Pitched creditably in the Winter League conducted by the Braves management.

1937-8-27 B. Braves team pic. With full names.

1937-8-21 B. VG pic of Braves stars: Manuel Kahuku Rodrigues, right-hander called one-man pitching staff; Manuel Ferreira, "sensational shortstop developed from Waipahu, where Henry (Nutsky) Oana learned his first baseball"; and George (Sweepstake Indie), "versatile player and batting threat."

Hawaii League flag at stake on Sunday.

Ted (Damon) "Big Train" Kameda is 5-3, with 50 of his 72 innings pitched in relief. Four of his wins are in relief.

Manuel (Kahuku) Rodrigues has been content to stay on the bench most of the season, but is 3-0.

1938-7-14 B. Movement to gain membership in league for Nippons of the International League has been revived - petition signed by officials of Japanese leagues and teams.

1938-8-27 B. Braves about battery of Sammy Guerrero and Charley Luis - battery for Braves in their big-winning days - will face Nippons of International League in exhibition. Nippons have the Kameda brothers.

1939-1-07 B. Toshio Kameda will join a team with two other players from Waialua - Kaiser Tanaka and Bozo Wakabayashi.

1939-1-21 B. Following in the footsteps of his big brother Ted Kameda, who pitched for the Asahis for a couple seasons, Toshio (Lefty) Kameda sailed for Japan last week to play ball.

1940-7-03 Hilo. All-Chinese arrive for annual 4th of July games v. Hilo Senior League teams. Will play four games.

NVG team pic of All-Chinese, with full names. Decent pic of manager Joe Ahue.

1940-7-09 Star-Advertiser. Game ads. League game admission: 65 cents reserved, 50 cents grand stand, 30 cents, bleachers.

1940-7-29 Star-Bulletin. Lawrence Kunihisa, Wahiawa Express, wins golf tournament.

1940-8-17 Star-Bulletin. First fan all-star team.

1941-5-21 A. "It was decided by the powers that be of the Hawaii league that next year's games should be played every Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday at night and only one game each Sunday afternoon instead of a doubleheader.

If only one game were played on the Sabbath, it was figured the tussle could get under way at 2 o'clock and be over by 4:30 at the latest, allowing the fans plenty of time to get home to dinner.

The Junior league will play its games on Saturday afternoons and start the season earlier than in the past."

1941-8-26 A. Asahi team pic, with full names. Jimmy Horio.

1941-8-18 A. League All-Star team picked to face All-Schofield team next Sunday.

1946-4-25 A. Preview.

1946-4-29 B. Ching Pui received letter from Percy Ching. Ching, former Tiger 1b, left to play for Amarillo along with Correa, Duarte, and Souza. Ching enclosed clipping saying that Ching asked for his release but it was hoped he would change his mind.

"Ching Pui, who was also quite a baseball player in his day, said that Percy would stay with his sister in Berkeley until about May 15 before returning to the islands.

In the letter Percy said Collie Souza was slated to return to Honolulu with him, but a bad case of appendicitis kept him in Amarillo. He did not say whether an operation had been performed or not.

Souza had previously written to his relatives saying he and Ching were thinking of leaving the club and returning to the islands. He said they were disappointed with playing conditions in general.

Neither letter mentioned Eddie Correa or Albert Duarte so it is assumed they will remain with the club."

1946-7-03 Hilo. Braves roster, with full names.

1947-4-18 A. Tigers team pic. With full names. Ray Victor = MG.

1950-4-25 B. Chinese Tigers season preview. Roster commentary. Hope to finish 4th or better. Pitching is weak spot.

Gordon Lau is new 1b; was the outstanding rookie of the Hawaii League in 1948 as a member of the Hawaiis, and hit .444 in the Chinese League this year to finish 2nd. Various players who led Chinese League in this or that.

"The apparent lack of left-handed hitting may retard the Tigers['] chances toward further heights. Veteran lefty Percy Ching, who parked many a ball into rightfield stands in recent years[,] has decided to retire."

1950-5-26 B. Franchise owners listed who will form committee to select team to represent Hawaii in NBC. . Louis Fernandez is Braves majority owner, Dr. John Kometani owns the Athletics, Lawrence (Peanuts) Kunihisa owns the Red Sox, and Richard Ching owns the Tigers.

Players listed (with full names) who are asked to come out to stadium for advance publicity pics for NBC. Braves whole roster listed bc they are last year's champs. All eight teams will be represented on 14-player team.

1951-6-15 B. Pic of Fernandez, Nishita, Fujishige, and Milano. Nishita was 4-4 for the California Bears and Milano played right. Fujishige caught and captained Santa Rosa Junior College.

Nishita and Fujishige were batterymates for SRJC in 1950.

1951-7-23 B. Standings, preview. Peanuts Kuhina is Rural Red Sox manager.

Bill Nishita pic.

Good column by Carl Machado.

Louis Fernandez, Braves owner, made no mistake in importing three players who have been playing on mainland. When he persuaded Nishita to return and help out the Injuns, Nishita talked him into bringing along catcher George Fujishige, a local, and Ed Milano, a mainlander.

Fujishige was with Rural Red Sox last year, and looked all glove, no bat. He's 4 for 6 so far.

1951-12-18 B. Louis Fernandez, Braves owner, announced appointment of Adam Ornelles as new club vice president. Complete roster of club officials for '52 are: Louis Fernandez, president, Ornelles, vice-president, Charles Fernandez, GM, and Charles (Collie) Souza, manager.

Oana and Jakucki reached pro ball from Braves under Ornelles.

1952-4-25 B. Starting lineups with full names for opening day. Larry (Peanuts) Kunihisa, owner and manager of the Red Sox, is in Japan and not expected back until the end of the month.

Game ad for opening day. Opening ceremonies at 12:15 PM, Tigers-Asahis at 1:00, and Waikiki v. Rural Red Sox (defending champs) at 3:00. Admission (including tax) is $1, 80 cents, and 60 cents. For students with activity books admission is 35 cents, and children younger than 12 watch free.

1952-8-07 B. Kasparovitch was 8-1 with 1.84 ERA before he left league. Majo (Lefty) Uehara, Red Sox curve ball artist, is 4-0 with 1.27 ERA. Henry (Lefty) Tominaga of the Asahi is 3-0 with a 0.28 ERA.

1952-9-22 A. Commented final stats. Len Kasparovitch (Waikiki) was 8-1, and Don Ferrarese (Waikiki) was 4-3 with a 1.16 ERA. Charley Luis (Braves) k'd 49 in 52 innings. Dick Kashiwaeda (Asahi) hit .313 (25 for 80) and led league in stolen bases by far, with 14.

1953-5-14 B. Top stats after two weeks of play.

1954-2-20 B. Four Hawaiians leaving to play for Tokyo Giants.

1954-5-22 B.

1957-1-10 B. Jyun Hirota retires from Japanese pro ball.

1957-6-03 A. Lists eight known Hawaii League no-hitters. Five by men in armed forces; first by Masa Nakamori in 1929.

1965-3-14 B. Maui-born Andy Miyamoto is fighting for his pro career. Recently released by Japanese team - asked Islanders to give him try-out. Was invited to Florida - career will come to end if he does not make the team. He is an outfielder - told that team needs catchers but not outfielders.

Pic of Miyamoto. He was a catcher in high school and Hawaii Major League.

Pic of Allan Yamamoto, former University of Hawaii (Hawaii League) star. Very good golfer.

1972-7-31 B. Fred Kuhaulua signed by San Francisco Giants. Pic. Honolulu League and Puerto Rican League called "fast town circuits."

1974-6-06 B. Lenn Sakata drafted. Pic in Gonzaga uni.

1974-9-16 B. All-star team named. Commented final averages. Ron Ramie (Oriole) was MVP - hitting .429/16/56 with 52 runs scored. Oriole Aran Ahu led in homers (23), runs (67), and RBIs (70). Oriole Skip Borges led in batting with .467. Asahi Bo Hunter led in stolen bases with 33. (Hunter described elsewhere as ex-Punahou speedster.)

1927-9-17 A. Riddle at ss with Filipinos.

1930-6-11 A. Writeup. Earl Vida no-hit the hard-hitting All-Hawaiians - the Elks' first win of the season. It was Kamehameha Day - but no celebration for the natives.

1934-4-29 Write-up. 3K ATT at opening game. The reorganized Asahis beat the Braves 8-5. Johnny Kerr is Chinese pitcher-coach.

Pat Steward, Braves pitcher, was with the Electric Shop nine of the Commercial League.

Wanderers team pic. With full names - Ted Shaw.

1934-4-29 Boxes.

Coach Johnny Kerr pitched and won 1-0 game v. Hawaiians and tripled in the only run.

"The Asahis were dressed in new white uniforms with Maroon letterings, caps and stockings."

Johnny Mintus pitched for the Hawaiians. The Hawaiians played good ball in their league debut.

1935-6-02 B. "Slim" Hirakawa beat Ted Shaw 3-2 in what may have been his last game for the Asahis. Hirakawa is a righty. Largest crowd of current season - 2K ATT.

Paul "Lefty" Girard, Navy, is the top pitcher in the league.

1935-6-02 Boxes.

1936-5-10 Write-up.

Buck Lai leaves for coast - takes six for his Hawaiian team, will pick up more players on the coast.

Hawaii League may play series with Rikkyo University of Tokyo.

1936-5-10 Boxes. Ted Shaw lost 1-0 14-inning pitching duel to Navy. Hawaiians 5, Chinese 4.

(1936-8-10 Nippu Jiji. Boxes, standings.

1936-8-30 Hilo. No boxes. Tommy Kaulukukui used to star for Hilo.

1937-5-31 B. Box. Memorial Day.

1937-7-25 B. Boxes.

Wanderers team pic. With full names. Bill Inman is coach and manager.

Cholly (Fat) Fernandez is Braves leader.

1938-8-28 B. The Nippons of the International League beat the Braves 3-1 in an exhibition. It's true that the Nippons made all their runs off the archaic battery of Sammy Guerrero (36) and Charlie Luis (37), but Guerrero pitched well.

Boxes.

1940-7-04 Star-Bulletin. The Hawaiians used softball pitcher Muller out of desperation, but he pitched a good game and won. Is a righty.

Leonard "Snowshoes" Kasparovitch won for Braves. 1.5K ATT. Standings. Boxes.

1940-7-09 Star-Advertiser.

1941-7-08 Box, standings. "Coach Allen Nagata's Asahis."

1942-5-24 B. One box. George (Nig) Henry with Navy. "Six feet four Kemp" pitched for Wanderers. Johnny Kerr is coach. Red Fenton, former Honolulu League pitcher, relieved for Navy.

Catcher "Midget" Riola caught four men stealing.

1946-4-28 B. Write-up. 3K ATT. Cowboy Hasegawa pitched for the Hawaiis. Don Nicholson, a 20-year old Navy ensign from Brooklyn, was the first to beat Mel Queen. He also allowed the Athletics two homers - one to right field and one to "section eight."

1946-8-13 B. Box.

1947-4-18 B. Box.

Wanderers team pic. With full names. Johnny Kerr is manager.

1947-4-18 A. Box, standings.

1949-5-22 B. Boxes.

1949-6-05 B. Boxes.

1951-7-15 A. Lines.

preview Times. Pic of collegians Harvey Zenimura and Al Mathews.

1952-7-31 Times. Rural Red Sox 4, Pacific Coast College All-Stars 0. Pic of Red Sox Toku Tanaka.

Waikiki 5, Hawaii 2. Lines only.

1952-8-06 B. Don Ferrarese lost 1-hitter 2-1 for the Waikiki Surfers. Had no-hitter for 10.2 innings and struck out 16.

No box for preliminary game

1952-8-06 A. Lines. 1st game was a league game.

1954-5-23 A. Writeup

1954-5-23 A. One box.

1954-8-08 B. Writeup. The right field seats are 345 feet away. Russian Cabral hit his 5th homer of the season - last year he led the league with six.

1955-7-31 A. Boxes.

1955-9-01 B. No boxes. Red Sox win championship - last scheduled game of season. Jack Ladra homered over the left field fence - first time anyone's done that all year, "although more than a dozen homers have been hit into the far regions of rightfield."

Asahi star shortstop Dick Kitamura pitched, and pitched solidly.

1955-9-01 A. Box, final standings. 2K ATT. Left field fence is 325 feet away. Box has full names.

1957-5-19 B. No box. Pic of Asahis gathering around ump and arguing, incl. Recca, Hirota, and Kashiaweda. 5'4" Cris Mancao (not in picture yet) punched 5'10" ump Earl Grubbs in nose after he forfeited game.

7K ATT.

Last forfeiture of game in Honolulu Stadium was in 1945. Jerry Mason of SubPac hit his 16th homer of year - now holds island record previously held by Don Larsen.

1957-6-11 B. All boxes.

1966-7-04 B. Final games of season. Jerry Stephen, SubPac outfielder, finished with a league-leading .397 average.

1972-6-25 B. Mike Higgins won both ends of doubleheader for Asahis - pitched four innings of relief in first game and all nine innings in second. Played for Stanford University this past year. TR.

Standings; Army is 1-28.

1972-7-23 B. Line. Pic of Roger Walters, Hawaii Marines pitcher, formerly in CLE system.

1973-5-31 A. Lines.

1974-6-19 B. Lines. Orioles have three players working on hitting streaks: Bobby Matias (15 games), Skip Borges (14), and Ron Ramie (13).

1974-7-08 B. Orioles beat Asahis for title at Hans L'Orange Field. Teams had tied for 20-4 in regular a season; had play-off game.

1933-6-15 Wanderers team pic, with full names. Walter Rodrigues is infielder. Ted Shaw is pitcher. Bill Inman is coach and manager.

1953-8-06 A. Dai Showa, non-pro champs of Japan, seek third straight win - will face Asahis. Pic of Yoshitomi Taneda, Dai Showa catcher.

1935-8-11 B. Two Hawaii League all-star teams played; Haneberg's beat Halloran's 4-2. Kan Yen's Old-Timers tied Bill Inman's Old-Timers 8-8. Charles En Sue Pung, "the grand old man of Hawaiian baseball," was the only Chinese old-timer to play the entire game. Batted leadoff and fielded seven fly balls flawlessly.

Kunihisa won the bases-circling contest in 14 3/5 seconds.

"Attorney Steere Noda, erst-while Asahi star, furnished the crowd with a laugh when he caught Bun Hee's drive in the opener. Playing in right, he faltered arould, finally getting under the pill, got rid of it and then fell flat on his back.

None of these "reunions" is complete without the real Hawaiian funny man. Just about 364 days of the year a stern minion of the law, not to mention a pretty fair country umpire, Henry (Chilly) Chillingworth unleashes all of his pent up energy and gives the fans a big "kick." Appearing in an old Hawaiian suit trimmed with green piping, green sox, and a red undershirt, Chilly deliberately cut first base by a good three feet to open the eighth, getting a two- bagger out of his hit. Of course, Umpire "Red" Zimmerman, working the bases, failed to see it.

Then there was Sam Ku, one of the most brilliant pitchers of yesteryear. Sam holds a record of striking out 23 batters of the Maui All-Stars around about '21, in a 10 inning game. He showed 'em that he was still good for a couple or three innings.

Kan Yen (Kanky) Chun, caught the first three innings and treated all and sundry with an exhibition of his pulling in a foul back of the plate via his own sound ranging method. But like Henry Chillingworth, who would still like to make a homer, Kanky went hitless for the afternoon."

1936-9-27 Bulletin. HOD 7, Asahis 1. 3.5K ATT. The HOD-Calamba Sugar game next Sunday will be held at the revamped Olympic Field. "The diamond is being put in today with backstops and bleachers to hold about 5,000 spectators. Following its game here, Calamba will perform at the Maui County Fair October" 8 to 11.

Earl Vida will come out of retirement to lead Oahu Stars against HOD on 9-30.

1936-9-30 Bulletin. HOD 3, Earl (Liko) Vida's All-Stars 2. 2K ATT. HOD's third straight win.

1936-9-30 Box.

(1936-10-05 Bulletin. Sat: Calamba 11, Oahu Sugar. Waipahu. 7K ATT. Sunday: HOD 8, Calamba Sugar Estates (Philippines) 3. Honolulu. 9K ATT. 60% of crowd were Filipinos cheering on Calamba. M.K. Choo was the game's promoter.

1936-10-07 Bulletin. HOD 9, Earl (Liko) Vida's All-Stars 4. Wally (Lefty) Cyr pitched for Vida's stars.

Alexander Joy Cartwright Series

1939

1940 Chinese

1941 Chinese

1940-8-29 Final batting.

1944-9-12 B. Series begins today and finishes 9-17. The Braves and Hawaiis will be strengthened by players from eliminated teams to give them a chance against the 7th AAF and Sub Base. Additions listed. 7th AAF Fliers finished 1st in regular season.

Lang Akana = Hawaii manager. Tom Winsett = Navy manager.

Cartwright series inaugurated in 1939 to celebrate baseball's centennial.

1940-8-11 Standings, descr. 4K ATT.

The Wanderers protested that Lawrence (Peanuts) Kunihisa, Asahi, was wearing a slightly different uniform from his teammates.

"There followed a bitter argument in which Theodore (Landis) Seare had to emerge from his hideout and make peace.

Since Kunihisa has been using that uniform all season and because of the new or fancy regular ones would fit him Mr. Seare ordered the game to go on without further delay.

1940-8-11 Boxes.

Pat Gleason played 1st for Wanderers. Leonard Kasparovitch pitched for the Braves.

1940-8-13 Asahi Masao Higuchi, lately returned from Japan, won a 1-0 four-hitter. He's willing to go with the Wanderers (Gypsies) to Cuba.

"The game last night took on a prep school flavor in that Higuchi of Iolani was opposing Spinola of Roosevelt."

1940-8-15 Chinese beat Wanderers 2-0. Teddy Shaw, veteran Negro southpaw, won for Chinese. Chinese = Harry Yim's Tigers. Johnny Kerr pitched well for Wanderers. 2.5K ATT.

Johnny Kerr will not go with the Wanderers to Cuba to play in the International Amateur Baseball Federation championships - Matsuo (Lefty) Higuchi will take his place. Report confirmed by coach Bill Inman.

Kerr has been away from his home five times, twice to Manila, and feels that is being away too much from his family and home.

Sunday schedule changed.

1940-8-18 5K+ ATT.

Theodore (Pump) Seare is league president.

Teddy Shaw was not expected to pitch again for the Chinese so soon, but he did, and won. "The big colored southpaw visibly showed the effects of his game with the Gypsies and mixed his stuff with a half speed delivery that nevertheless proved highly effective."

Hans Pung was Wanderer hero with homer.

"Five thousand customers and several hundred others who paid good money or took the trouble to see Sunday's activities in the Cartwright series are entitled to know a few things today.

Briefly, the "inside" of the drama as presented reads:

1. The opener started 15 minutes late because of a disagreement among franchise owners and Hawaii league officials in J. Ashman Beaven's office 'neath the first base grandstand.

The dispute was caused by the rearrangement Friday morning of yesterday's games to insure the prolongation of the championship tournament and thus give the fans more baseball and the league more money.

2. Three teams, Chinese, Braves and Wanderers, warmed up and went through infield workouts shortly before 1 p. m. Both the Mandarins and Gypsies thought they were going to play the Injuns in the opener.

The original schedule had called for the Braves meeting the Wanderers and the Chinese against the Asahis, but changes Friday listed the Tribe against the Chinese in the opener and the Asahis against the Nomads in the nightcap.

Both the Asahis and Wanderers claimed they weren't officially notified of the new arrangement, hence the confused state of affairs.

3. The games were switched back to the original schedule (with the risk the Cartwright series would end yesterday) by President Theodore (Pump) Searle after the Asahis, backed by the Wanderers, threatened not only to walk out on the new schedule, but to withdraw from the league. The argument was that hot..

There being over 5,000 fans out In the stands, and rather than disappoint the turnout, Messrs. Searle, Harry A. Yim and Adam Ornellas had to give in. It would have been a bad time to refund the money.

Didn't OK Change

4. Katsumi Kometani, franchise holder of the Asahis, said that he never consented to the changes, although he over the telephone Friday morning told Ornellas, who officially represented the circuit on the matter, that the idea might be a good one, but he (Kometani) doubted it would be approved by the other franchise owners and league officials.

It developed that Mr. Ornellas took it from that statement that Kometani was willing to change, and checked the Asahis as okaying the idea after the Chinese, Braves and Wanderers' representatives

agreed.

5. The Wanderers, represented at the meeting by Henry J. (Pop) Topping, cofranchise holder with Mrs. (Gloria Baker) Topping, said they were not officially notified of the changes, and so far as the Gypsies were concerned they were playing the Braves and no one else.

Inman Not Official

As a matter of fact, Mr. Ornellas contacted Coach Bill Inman, who said the changes were all right with him if the other teams agreed.

Mr. Topping said that Mr. Inman was only the coach of the Wanderers, and that he (Topping) had the final say.

So, in the words of Ralph Yempuku, assistant league manager they "had Pump Searle over a barrel and he therefore had to accede to the Asahi and Wanderers' demands or face a walkout."

1940-8-18 Boxes. Chinese 5, Asahi 4. Wanderers 6, Braves 5.

1940-8-20 Wanderers beat Asahis 16-2 (box)

1940-8-22 All-Chinese beat Braves 7-5 in 11 innings for championship. 4+K ATT. Game took 3 hours and 7 minutes.

"had the Braves won there would have been a four way tie which would prolong the tournament by three games and with the trio some $6,000 in cash at the gates."

Kasparovitch started for the Braves, and Ted Shaw pitched the whole game for the Chinese.

Raymond Victor, Chinese 3b, is the son of Johnny Victor, famous two decades ago for his play.

1941-7-27 Prizes given for elimination rounds. Boxes.

1941-8-10 A. Boxes, standings. 4K ATT.

1941-8-17 A. Box, final standings. 9K ATT see Ted Shaw shutout Asahis 5-0 for Chinese.

Chinese team pic. 4

1966-7-12 A. Called Governor's Cup playoffs. Pic of Governor John A. Burns trophy. Lawrence Kunihisa, Red Sox owner, looks on.

1972-8-01 B. Asahis 11, Army 2. Gary Tanaka pic.

1937-8-29 B. Asahis 5, Braves 3. 996 paying customers. Post-season game.

1936-9-13 A. Asahis win territorial championship by beating Navy, Service champs, 3-2. Play by play, box.

1936-2-25 SF E. Roster listed, with full names. Two Hawaiians. Kerr says he's been in California twice before - once as a prep football player and again as a semi-pro pitcher. Andrade is of Portuguese extraction.

"Both are fine looking athletes. Graham, of course, will try to find work for them. It would be a shame to send John and Allen home. Honolulu is so far away."
1936-2-26 Charles Graham is giving another Hawaiian nobleman a chance - "Duke" Johnny Kerr this time. Kerr pitched very well in camp yesterday. Throws right.

1936-2-28 Johnny Kerr and Steve Menietti look like real prospects. Menietti pitched briefly in 1936 WA - Menietti, Steve

1936-3-02 The Tokyo Giants beat the Seals youngsters 5-0 yesterday - Eiji Sawamura limited them to three hits. Kerr and Menietti pitched.

1936-3-11 Hal Rhyne praised Andrade's speed, and says Kerr has a nice "hard one" and a fair curve. Only allowed one run in six innings v. regulars. "Kerr threw his hard one with splendid control." Kerr described as "robust lad."

1936-3-14 Kerr relieved for Seal regulars in exhibition with Mission.

1936-3-16 Kerr pitches "with all the savor faire of a seasoned hurler."

1936-3-17 SF Examiner. Andrade will be farmed out.

1936-3-21 "[Walter] Mails avers Johnny Kerr, the Honolulu pitcher, and Alfred Mudge, the Oakland outfielder, are, the two outstanding rookies in the camp. But he adds a good word for Allen Andrade, another Hawaiian, who outran O'Doul, Mudge and several Japanese in a foot race."

1936-3-22 Andrade n Seals' lineup in pre-season game.

1936-4-08 Andrade ne of dozen Seals sent to Muskogee.

1936-5-01 Kerr one of four released as Seals have to get down to 25-man roster after one-month of play.

1936-5-19 Andrade pitched and was 4-for-4 with Piedmont Stars.

1936-5-26 Fresno Bee. Seals have released Andrade.

1936-6-21 Andrade with Orinda Reds of CASL. See CASL section.

1936-4-19 Kerr: er, bb, 3h, 1+ innings - faced five batters. (?)

contin allowed two runs in 9th

1936-4-25 Allowed three runs

box 3 ER, 2 innings

1967-4-30 B. Whatever become of:

"CHARLEY TAKETA, a curve-ball pitching artist of the 1936 Hawaii League champion Asahi nine?

MASA NAKAMORI, a dropball pitcher of Wahiawa, McKinley High School and the Asahis? He pitched two no-hit, no-run games."

1967-5-04 B. "However, while we missed interviewing Funayama, we had a most pleasant reunion with the secretary of the Y.B.A. league-our old friend Shingo Jo.

We knew Jo as a baseball player-not the bowling enthusiast he is today.

Jo was the talk of the Rural Oahu A.J.A. Baseball League back in 1950 when he was pitching for Ewa. And for good reason: he pitched a no-hit, no-run game against Waialua. In fact he practically was the whole show, scoring the winning run after banging out a triple. The score was 1-0.

Pitched to major leaguer

"No-hit, No-run Jo" as he was called that year, had another great thrill-his pitching to Dee Moore, a major leaguer who was in the service in 1946 when the Rural Red Sox joined the Hawaii Baseball League.

"Moore really had me mix up my pitches," reminisced Jo, who won his share of games as the Red Sox, a first- year member of the league on probation, won the H.B.L. title.

The championship forced the league to accept the Sox as a regular member the following season and former Senator Lawrence (Peanuts) Kunihisa's team went on to compile a record of seven titles (six consecutive).

Jo, a journeyman diesel mechanic for Ewa Plantation, hung up his spikes years ago. Now, he thinks "bowling is a great game."

1964-4-03 A. "Seems like something is cooking at the Honolulu Stadium. The legislature has called for an investigation of its operations. Now the Hawaii League franchise owners have asked for the use of this pillar to air its grievance with the management and directors of the Moilili plant. They write:

Dear Red,

If the "Tiser is willing, we, the franchise owners of the Hawali Baseball League would like to use your august column to enlighten the public, especially the countless numbers of baseball lovers who have been, through the thirty-eight years of its existence, loyal supporters, players, fans, managers, bat boys, etc., in regards to the present plight of the League brought about through the injudicious actions of the Honolulu Stadium management and board of directors in granting the complete "take-over" of the stadium from April to September by the Hawaii Islanders Baseball Club.

For the records, we would like to emphatically state that we are not opposed to the establishment of professional baseball in these parts. We wish them every success.

Our grievance is that we (and others including the high schools) have been completely ignored by the Stadium management and directors in regards to scheduling dates, use of the stadium and consideration for a small subsidy to keep on operating. With proper discretion and prudent action, all groups could have been accommodated for the good of baseball on all levels in Hawaii.

As a result, the league is without a suitable playing field and with only a fragmented schedule, with gaps of 20 days in between some games, if it decides to continue playing. The high schools are not faring any better. Long time tenants of the stadium, and big money maker for the stadium in football, they have been forced to play their games on public playgrounds which are poorly conditioned for games. This use of public parks have created problems for other youth baseball groups.

THE HAWAII BASEBALL LEAGUE deserves better treatment. It is an original tenant. The League has been in continuous operation for thirty-eight years, since 1925, when a group of public-spirited, sportsminded businessmen put up the cash to start building the stadium as a home for the Hawaii League and to encourage the growth of sports in the high schools, university and the community. It can be said that the Hawaii Baseball League built the "house" that is now called "The Home of the Islanders."

The Hawaii Baseball League has ably served this community in many ways. Over the years, the League has provided the best brand of baseball in Hawaii for the enjoyment of thousands of people; helped to finance the building and operation of the stadium; helped to cement relations between the ethnic groups and the armed services with the community; served as a means whereby college and high school graduates and ex-service men could continue to play to further their skills; contributed to professional baseball on the mainland and Japan by exporting its many talented players; contributed to the development of thousands of young men and youth in Hawaii; contributed immeasurably to international goodwill and understanding through competition with Asian teams; and also has been instrumental in establishing and perpetuating baseball as a major sport on the Manoa Campus and giving it an opportunity for inter-collegiate and international competition.

Under such arbitrary conditions, the franchise owners, who are responsible businessmen not in amateur baseball for financial or personal gain but rather altruistically interested in preserving this worthwhile program for the welfare of the youth and young men of this community, find it difficult to operate the league.

AS A LAST RESORT, the franchise owners appealed to the University Regents for redress of grievances since they are the majority stock holders and therefore theoretically control the policies of the Stadium Corporation through their appointed representatives. The matter was referred to the Stadium Directors. Naturally, with the present interlocking directorates and officers between the Islanders Club and the Stadium Corporation, we didn't have a chance.

All we asked for was just consideration in scheduling and a small request for free rental under the Islanders' favored rental lease and minimum light rental probably amounting to several hundred dollars.

In a letter to President Hamilton of the University, the stadium directors replied: "We regret that we were not able to see our way clear to making any special concessions to the League. The Stadium Directors are fully cognizant of the fine contribution that the Hawaii Baseball League has made to baseball in the past years and would like to assist them in their present difficulties. We must be consistent in our policies and treatment of all organizations utilizing the Stadium."

THE ONLY CONSISTENCY in their policies has been to give preferential treatment to their own interests and ignore the others.

What about the Islanders Baseball Club? They are also tenants of the Stadium like all the rest of us, but there the difference ends. They receive royal treatment compared to others as evidenced by the heavy subsidy given to them by the Stadium Corporation since the same people control both operations. They enjoy food and liquor concession rights worth thousands of dollars; broadcasting rights which no other groups has including the "owners' the University; advertising subsidy; preferential $5,000 a season rental from April to September; priority of dates; office space; etc., etc. Incidentally, the Shrine people paid the Stadium Corporation $6,000 plus for one football game last year played for a worthy cause. And what about the Hula Bowl run by the Management?

Not even the University who owns 70% or more of the stocks receive such treatment. To think that they have been crying for finances all these years when it was readily available just upon exercise of their rights, is a puzzler. Perhaps the legislative probe will uncover the answers.

The University was given majority of the stocks by the original owners with instructions to operate the stadium in the interest and for the benefit of the Hawaii League, high schools, itself and other community groups. What has happened to that trust?

In conclusion, brother Red, we are asking only for fair play and just treatment so we can carry on. The Stadium Corporation and the Islanders can only benefit materially and otherwise, in the long-run, by supporting and perpetuating the Hawaii Baseball League. We have been here for almost four decades and we hope to be around another four or more. Mahalo!

Hawaii League Franchise Owners."

Universal Baseball Encyclopedia

Monday, February 17, 2025

Hawaii League

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