MLB All-Stars descend upon Les Murakami Stadium before heading to Japan

Nov 4, 2018 | PC Sports

A team of MLB All-Stars coached by former MLB All-Star Don Mattingly, stopped into Les Murakami Stadium on the campus of the University of Hawaii on Saturday in what is being billed as the “Hawaii Workout” before heading to Japan to play in the 2018 Japan Series against Japan’s Baseball All-Stars in a seven game series from November 8 – November 15.

Some of the MLB All-Stars that worked out on Saturday included Hawaii’s homegrown MLB closer Kirby Yates of the San Diego Padres, rookie sensation Ronald Acuna Jr. of the Atlanta Braves, and MLB superstar catcher Yadier Molina of the St. Louis Cardinals.

The MLB All-Star squad teamed up with University Hawaii Baseball Head Coach Mike Trapasso and his Rainbow Warrior baseball players to conduct a MLB PLAY BALL clinic for Hawaii’s youth baseball players. The ball players participated in clinic stations that included two Hitting stations with the first station run by the Rainbow Warriors and teammates from the 2018 Little League World Series Champions from Honolulu Little League. The second station featured MLB pitchers pitching to the ball players from the Rainbow Warrior diamond. The youth baseball players also participated in a Grounders and Pop Ups station.

The MLB All-Stars will return to Les Murakami Stadium for a two-hour practice on Sunday, November 4 before heading out to Japan.

PEARL CITY CONNECTION

Mahalo to Duane Kurisu, owner of the Pearl City Shopping Center and part of owner of the MLB San Francisco Giants who worked with MLB organizers to coordinate the Hawaii Work Out weekend that made dozens of youth baseball players dreams come true with an opportunity to learn and improve their baseball skills as well as receiving autographs from the MLB All-Stars and coaches.

Pearl City High School Chargers Baseball Head Coach Wes Yonamine is participating as the MLB Hawaii Work Out equipment and field maintenance manager. Chargers assistant baseball coach Wayne Nagamine is also a part of the crew along with Ethan Yonamine who plays on the Chargers varsity baseball team.

Also, youth boys and girls ball players representing Pearl City had great time on Saturday!