Local briefs: Third Annual HI-PAL T-Ball Tournament held in Hilo

Third Annual HI-PAL T-Ball Tournament held in Hilo

More than 315 keiki aged 4 to 8 years old from around Hawaii Island recently came together to compete in the Third Annual Hawaii Island Police Activities League (HI-PAL) Coach-Pitch/T-Ball Baseball Tournament. Hosted by Hawaii Police Department (HPD), HI-PAL and the Mynah Byrdz Baseball Team at Hualani Park in the Keaukaha area of Hilo, the two-day tournament was held last Saturday and Sunday.

A total of 21 teams participated in the tournament with eight T-Ball teams and 12 Coach-Pitch teams. The Lincoln Wreckers Black won first place in the Coach-Pitch Gold Bracket with the Andrews Braves clinching first place in the Coach-Pitch Silver Bracket. During the event, HI-PAL provided Keiki IDs, game baseballs and medals for the winners.

Hawaii Police Department extends a heartfelt mahalo to all the volunteers who contributed to the success of this event, including officers Jared Cabatu and Michael Rutkowski of Hilo Patrol, whose time and efforts were instrumental in making this event such a success.

HI-PAL is a program of the Hawaii Police Department in which police officers interact with youth in various activities as mentors. This positive connection encourages teamwork, citizenship and responsibility among youth. If your Hilo community organization is interested in hosting a HI-PAL event in your area, please contact Hawaii Police Department’s Hilo Community Policing Officers at 961-8849.