Mules Need New Field, More Players

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Lane Watanuki proved at Campbell that he could build a baseball program at a so-called football school, and as he sets about restoring the Leilehua program, he can’t help but compare the two.

“We don’t have the youth programs in Wahiawa right now, and back then Campbell was in the same situation,“said the Mules’ second-year head coach.“There are so many different options kids have these days that if they get discouraged with one sport they might just turn to video games and stay home.

“If we can stimulate more interest and get the kids outdoors, it would be good for everyone.”

During his Campbell tenure (1983-2003), Watanuki and staff held coaching clinics to attract and educate potential youth baseball coaches. Many followed suit and helped to create what has become a highly competitive Little League program in Ewa. A handful of LL teams from Ewa have even excelled on a national stage, by way of the Little League World Series.

While more community baseball programs will undoubtedly bolster Leilehua’s talent pool, another way to attract more players for try-outs is to create interest among the kids with parents in the military. Watanuki also is pushing for a baseball field on or next to the Leilehua campus. Currently, the Mules practice and play home games mostly at Fred Wright Park.

“We don’t get enough military kids playing, and transportation is part of the problem,” said Watanuki, noting that only three of the 42 players on both his JV and varsity teams this spring live at Schofield. “We’d like to get them out and keep them playing. Back in the ‘70s and ‘80s when Leilehua was a power-house, they had a lot of military kids playing on their teams. It’s been my goal since my son was playing there to get more from the military playing. There seems to be a lot of (baseball) talent that we’re not taking advantage of.”

As for a field, there have been talks between the school and the military and state about erecting a diamond on land adjacent to the Mules football stadium, according to Watanuki, but the process is long-going.

“We need to have our own baseball field, and that would stimulate a lot of interest. I know athletic director James Toyota is committed to it.”

This summer, the Mules have three teams - 15-and-under, 17-and-under and 19-and-under - playing in the American Legion League.

The 17U team is made up of players who will likely fill out the varsity roster next year. Some are “double-dipping,” he said, playing some games in the 19U league. Including the ALL playoffs, each team could potentially play more than 20 games this summer, should they advance to the post-season.

“Getting a lot of game experience will help them down the road,” said Watanuki, whose first LHS team finished 3-9 in the spring.“We have some young kids who are really working hard. Right now, it’s about learning the game and playing the game right. A lot of these kids didn’t play in youth leagues.”

Watanuki also hopes to maximize strength and speed. “A lot of these kids are under-sized, so we need to work harder on that and improve our overall team speed.”