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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Saturday, September 29, 2007

Batter up! Winter baseball starts today

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If you love baseball, historic Hans L'Orange Park in Waipahu — Hawai'i's own Field of Dreams — is the place to be today.

Hawaii Winter Baseball opens its 2007 season at the storied field, where almost every level of baseball has been played over the past 83 years.

Opening ceremonies will be at 11:30 a.m., the first game is at noon, the second at 6 p.m. All afternoon and until 10 p.m., the city-sponsored Sunset at the Ballpark will include food booths and entertainment.

The developmental circuit's four teams — Honolulu Sharks, Waikiki BeachBoys, West Oahu CaneFires and North Shore Honu — will feature prospects from 24 Major League clubs and Japanese players from the Nippon Professional Baseball league this season.

This is the closest Hawai'i gets to professional baseball and it's a unique opportunity to see some of the game's top prospects and some exciting matchups throughout the 40-game season.

"Obviously, we're all competitors, no matter what. Just because we're in Hawai'i doesn't mean we're not going to take things seriously," Waikiki BeachBoys outfielder Cole Garner told www.minorleaguebaseball.com.

Indeed, seven players from last year's season went on to make their Major League debuts this year. If you can't catch a game today, make plans to attend at least one game before the season ends Nov. 18.