Baseball finally returns to Hawaii

 After nearly a decade, the city of Honolulu is getting its baseball back. Between natural disasters hitting the island and man-made disasters like the Roy Oswalt/Alex Avila for David Price trade, the year of 2012 was last one for the Hawaiians in NASBL  It appeared like lava flowing down the mountain that the once proud Hawaiians franchise was totally in ruins. Shortly thereafter, the league relocated the team.   

That was then, this is now.  Almost in the shadow of Diamond Head crater the Hawaiians will now play at Aloha Stadium.  This is a far cry from the old Hawaiians home field which was only slightly large than a little league field.  The park was so small in fact that Las Vegas often featured over/unders in the low 20s due to the excessive run scoring.  Aloha stadium will be quite pitcher friendly.  The dimensions are fairly deep. The LF fence is 405 feet from home plate, CF 505 and RF is 405 which will result in a ballpark home run factor of 1.  Due to the trade winds, the ballpark sits almost in reverse of how many parks are built today.  

With the franchise having moved from Vermont, it looks like players will be trading snowboards for surfboards. Speaking of trades, former Sioux SS Carlos Correa, demanded a trade upon hearing that the franchise was moving.  Trader Stan was only too happy to oblige and sent him packing to Slatington for Ramon Laureano, Jose Altuve and Eliser Hernandez. It is likely that will not be the last move made before the season starts. 

The supplemental draft brought in the newest Hawaiian, Luke Weaver, who  hopes to get his career back on track.  Once a top prospect, he has been weighed down by the home run ball in recent past. For 2021, Native islanders can now look forward to a different type of baseball in Honolulu, one built on speed and defense. With the rookie draft looming, and two picks in the first round, the rebuild is coming fast. It should be an interesting season in Honolulu, unlike one seen before.