An interesting thing happened this afternoon on the way to a State
Championship.  Two teams, hungry for their shot at fame, their shot at the
title; both with a single goal in mind, but it just wasn't to be.  This
afternoon St. Anthony and Molokai faced off for at least the fourth official
(how many unofficial?) time of the season.  The stakes?  Third place in the
Hawaii State Division II championship of high school baseball.  So those of
us who showed up to cheer our respective team on to hopeful victory were
completely shocked and surprised, and....to some extent...humbled, by what
we saw. 
Anyone showing up to the game early would have had a hard time deciding if
they should sit on the first base or third base side; it seemed that there
were green jerseys and gold jerseys on both sides.  If one selected a seat
and watched pre-game infield and outfield, one would further be confused and
discouraged, since a menagerie of green and gold filled the positions from
one through nine.
What happened today was very special.  Two teams, joined by family, legacy,
tradition, pride, commitment. Two teams who together as one unit decided to
play not a competitive match to see who won third place in the State
Division Ii baseball tournament, but instead a sandlot game that many of us
remember as the core of what baseball is really about.  Different uniforms,
different colors, different islands; same love for the game.
These two teams - St. Anthony on Maui and Molokai High on Molokai share a
special bond.  That bond was sealed when Coach Shane Duduoit accepted the
position as head coach for St. Anthony four seasons past.  Since that time,
there have been camps, scrimmages, dinners, potlucks, fellowship, talk
story, friendships and bonds formed.  When these two teams entered the state
tournament this year as the representatives of Maui county, both had high
hopes.  Both expected to rise through the brackets to the championship game.
The only problem: if they both reached their goal, they would be head to
head for what they both wanted; the state championship.
As fate would have it, neither were able to make it through their respective
road through the brackets.  Both losing in their critical semifinal matches,
they found themselves together again to decide who would take third place in
the division II bracket.  But for all of us who expected a competitive,
gut-wrenching fight to the finish to decide the "champion", we were sadly
mistaken.  Instead we were blessed.  When we arrived at the field we found
that both teams were holding stance in both dugouts.  Parents, friends, fans
alike on both sides, couldn't decide on which side to sit and cheer for
their respective team.  When it came time for the traditional
infield/outfield warmups, not one team but two showed up at the same time.
For the first time in state championship history, both home and visiting
teams shared infield/outfield warmups together.  turning double plays from 6
to 4 to 3 that may be green, to gold to green, or any other combination.
When game time came, one need only gaze out into shallow right field to see
that something special was happening.  Two teams, about to go head-to-head
in battle for the *coveted* third place ranking, were all hand in hand in a
single ring, gold and blue, green and white; sharing a pre-game
prayer/meditation together.  Some of us in the stands expecting a battle
were disappointed; some were confused and befuddled.  Others, who know what
these two teams mean to each other, simply smiled to ourselves and said Yes,
this is the way it should be.
So the game commenced and played on.  Taylor Silva, the starting pitcher for
St. Anthony, pitched the first two innings with full catcher's gear on: shin
guards, chest protector, etc.  On both sides, if a player took a called
strike, the penalty was three pushups: immediately.  All players on both
rosters played.  There was good hearted ribs delivered to baserunners from
infielders, from catchers to batters, from fielders exiting to fielders
taking the field.  For once, this was baseball: the way it was meant to be.
Baseball is a gentleman's game.  A chess match.  A pitch versus a swing.  A
race to first versus a fielder's throw.  It isn't personal, it isn't about
my island versus yours, my son versus yours, me versus you.  It wasn't about
winning, it was about loving the game.  I am so proud of the players, the
coaches and the fans of these two teams.  I'm reminded again of what could
be with all of us, of this wonderful game we share.  Baseball.  It took two
very diverse and competitive bodies of individuals today to give all of us
who witnessed it a gift, a remembrance of what it all should really be
about: the competitive spirit may live on, but friendship and memories live
for generations.
Thank you Molokai, thank you St. Anthony, thank you for reminding all of us
who were there what really matters.  Baseball is fun.

This is my last report for St. Anthony, probably ever.  I have enjoyed every
minute of every inning of every game this season.  I am thankful my son went to St. Anthony, I am thankful that we have had the opportunity to visit Molokai and call the people of Molokai High our competitors and our friends.