The Department of Parks & Recreation’s Elderly Activities Division (EAD) kicked off the 48th Hawai‘i State Senior Softball Tournament in Kona yesterday.
Over 1,200 players from around the state gathered at Old A’s Ballfields at Kailua Park for an opening ceremony that featured a blessing, the singing of the Star-Spangled Banner and Hawai’i Pono’ī, and a ceremonial first pitch thrown by Mayor Mitch Roth.
In a press release Mayor Roth said, “We are honored to host this year’s kupuna softball state tournament in Kona. It was amazing to see our Parks and Recreation teams come together under the direction of Roann Okamura and Jaye Dempsey to ensure that the field was in prime condition for this week’s events. I wish all of the visiting players good luck as they take on the best in the business from Hawaiʻi Island.”
The three-day tournament, which includes 62 teams, features eight different divisions. The winner of Division A will qualify to play in the national senior softball tournament.
Photo credit: Office of Mayor Mitch Roth