Trip to World Series a mad dash for West representatives Central East Maui, Hawaii

Members of the Maui Little League team sign small baseballs and throw candy to fans as the team passes by the crowds during the 2024 Grand Slam Parade in downtown Williamsport.
DAVE KENNEDY/Sun-Gazette

Central East Maui, Hawaii, earned their spot in the Little League World Series after defeating Eastvale, Calif., in San Bernardino just this past Friday, resulting in a whirlwind trip across the country to arrive ahead of Tuesday’s Grand Slam Parade.

“We’re the last to get here. We were last to punch our ticket. It was a nail-biter,” said assistant coach Kevin Constantino. “It was a quick turnaround from San Bernardino. You win. You celebrate for an hour. Next thing you know, you’re on a bus to a chartered plane the very next morning and five, six hours later, you’re here.”

Costantino noted that the third game at regionals made the team realize what was at stake.

“So the grind was real, but they stuck together and they played a great game,” he said.

“The strength of the team is their will to not quit, always compete, always fight, and understand there’s always a chance,” said manager Daniel Bolduc, who took over coaching duties two months ago. “They’re a good bunch of kids. They work hard and they take constructive criticism well.”

Their involvement in the competition makes it the first time anyone from this team has visited the Williamsport area. It’s the 16th time a team from Hawaii has clinched a berth for the World Series, and second time a team from Maui has reached the tournament.

“It’s an unreal experience for these kids,” said Constantino, adding that neither he nor assistant coach Ian Shimabuku have children on the team.

“Just everything you do for the kids. We were all retired and Dan asked us to coach-pitch a tournament, and then we stuck around after that,” Shimabuku said.

Asked what they’re most excited to experience in the area, they said the journey since clinching victory has left them little time to plan for that.

“I’ll be honest, we don’t even have time to think about everything. Everything’s been go, go, go,” Constantino said.

The atmosphere surrounding the World Series and Williamsport area this time of year adds to the excitement as well.

“The kids are living like they’re famous all-stars, like Major Leaguers up in this place. It’s unreal, but live the moment and soak up this dream, because it’s a once in a lifetime opportunity,” Constantino said.

The West Region champions face Salem, New Hampshire, on Wednesday in the first game of the Little League World Series at Lamade Stadium at 3 p.m.

“They’re looking forward to their first game tomorrow. They can’t wait. And, I know they’re looking forward to the major league game,” Constantino said.

As far as their chances of taking home the championship, Constantino said they’re just living in the moment.

“We know we play New England, but we haven’t really looked into every other team. We just want to do one game at a time, don’t look too far ahead,” Constantino said.

“I just want to see how these guys compete on this stage,” Bolduc said.

Bulduc noted the team got thrown into the fire pretty quickly in San Bernardino and it gave them a lot of talent to play against and gain experience.

“I don’t know if it’s gonna get any worse than that,” Bolduc said. “But, we were able to compete there, so we’re able to compete anywhere.”