WAIPAHU, Hawaii -- Fans of Hawaii Winter Baseball cheered as service members were honored at the league’s Nov. 9 military appreciation game at Hans L’Orange Field here.
Representatives from each branch of service, including Coast Guard, threw out the first pitches of the game to players from the North Shore Honu and West Oahu CaneFires.
The service members and their guests were invited to watch the game from the VIP stands and enjoy dinner and refreshments.
The service members also received a t-shirt of their favorite HWB team, compliments of the league.
“This is a lot of fun and it’s nice to see all the support we have out here,” said Marine Chief Warrant Officer 4 Chris Doman, U.S. Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, who represented the Marine Corps at the game.
Doman, who has served 22 years in the Marine Corps, has recently been selected to Chief Warrant Officer 5.
According to Doman, this was his first time participating in such an event.
“It is always an honor to represent the Marine Corps,” he said. “Plus I get to watch an exciting game of baseball.”
HWB is proud to honor military veterans, according to Merv Yoshimoto, general manager, HWB West.
This is the first year the league has held this event, and it is a tradition they hope to continue in the years to come.
“We are a huge supporter of the military,” Yoshimoto said. “They give so much and it’s the least HWB can do to show our appreciation.”
HWB is a professional baseball organization that is sanctioned by Major League Baseball.
The league consists of four teams with players from 23 MLB organizations, Japan Professional Baseball and Korean Professional Baseball.