Maui County Senior Softball celebrates return
Players and coaches line the base paths as the national anthem is played during the opening ceremony for the Maui County Senior Softball League on Sunday at War Memorial Little League Field No. 1. The league is playing a season for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The Maui News / ROBERT COLLIAS photos
Benito Alconcel of Da Mix Breeds delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Dragons on Sunday.
Da Mix Breeds huddle up before the start of the game Sunday.
Members of the Dragons watch from the dugout.
Players and coaches line the base paths as the national anthem is played during the opening ceremony for the Maui County Senior Softball League on Sunday at War Memorial Little League Field No. 1. The league is playing a season for the first time since the start of the pandemic. The Maui News / ROBERT COLLIAS photos
Benito Alconcel of Da Mix Breeds delivers a pitch during the first inning against the Dragons on Sunday.
Da Mix Breeds huddle up before the start of the game Sunday.
Members of the Dragons watch from the dugout.
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WAILUKU -- After a two-year wait, opening day for the Maui County Senior Softball League was a celebration on Sunday morning at War Memorial Little League Field No. 1.
As 14 teams and more than 250 players prepare for the season, the smiles were everywhere under sunny skies for the opening ceremony on the nicely trimmed infield.
When Benito Alconcel delivered the first pitch of the season for Da Mix Breeds against the Dragons, the vibe was thankful. The start of the season came moments after Maui County Mayor Michael Victorino delivered a welcome back message while wearing his Toros No. 18 uniform.
"It's just a really great day, so exciting to see everybody back out here, all us mature citizens that want to have a great time," Victorino said. "We still can still do it, so I'm really happy that we're here, we can allow softball to start up again.
"We went through the stage of having scrimmages because we wanted them out practicing, we wanted them to have some exercise, but it was difficult because of what the (COVID) numbers were. But we've got everything under control now and I pray that with everyone's help -- you know, a conscientious effort -- we will stay this way. So I want to wish everyone out there a great season."
While practice was allowed last season when a state tournament was played on Kauai, this marked a strong return towards normalcy for the first time since the COVID-19 pandemic largely shut down this popular league.
"The last time we opened was February 28, 2020, we ended our season March 15 (due to COVID concerns)," league coordinator Dave Mena said. "We did have a state tournament in there, that was last year on Kauai. We have just been doing practicing and we were able to open up to scrimmage, that was last year here, so one full year of scrimmaging, then back to practicing, and then being able to scrimmage and now a full league."
"It does feel good, very excited about it, especially for the seniors," Mena added. "They've been excited about it."
Joseph Pacheco is the head coach for Da Mix Breeds -- he has coached his team for seven years after playing for it for seven years.
"Oh, it feels real good to be back," Pacheco said as he watched the first inning of the season. "After three years, yeah, it feels good, real good. Thank you Jesus for that.
"Fun, everybody enjoys it."
Dragons head coach Larry Aldirch echoed the sentiments.
"So much fun, it's been two years of us practicing two days a week for two years, no games during the virus," Aldrich said. "It saved our lives to come to practice instead of staying at home. We talked story. It's been a real lifesaver and I'm certainly glad to be back on the field again."
Aldrich added that the game keeps his team balanced.
"The mental health was great, 14 people show up and practice -- the only problem was we never got to play a game," Aldrich said. "We have a wonderful time."
* Robert Collias is at rcollias@mauinews.com.