The West Maui Little League Baseball Majors All-Star team battled to a second place finish in the District 3 Tournament.

LAHAINA — The COVID-19 curtain has opened for youth sports across the nation, and the refreshing chatter and activity of Little League Baseball is back!

Here on Maui, the excitement grew as the West Maui Little League Baseball Majors All-Star (11- and 12-year- olds) team made a deep run in the District 3 Tournament played at Eddie Tam Field in Makawao two weeks ago.

The six-team field included Lanai, Molokai, Kihei, Upcountry, Central and West Maui.

The West-Siders dropped their first match-up to Molokai, but then rallied to defeat Kihei, Molokai in a rematch, and Upcountry to reach the finals.

In the championship game, West Maui was overwhelmed by powerhouse Central.

Nonetheless, it was a successful return to the diamond for Little League Baseball and the home team led by coaches Jes Nahooikaika, Leon Gomes and Ryan Toshikiyo.

The player roster included Kolten Magno, La’i Branco Gomes, Logan Keanini Sumida, Ryder Urig, Cruz Urig, Tydus Nahooikaika, Micah Thompson, Delaney Dagupion, Jede Bodick, Mason Manalili, Caleb Okano, and Liam Hirouji.

The Little League Baseball Minors Tournament — for nine- and ten-year- olds — was held over the July 7-8 weekend at Kihei Field.

The West Maui team was made up of Keali’i Lanoza Uyeda, Konaha’o Lanoza Uyeda, Keola Lanoza Uyeda, Kalai Kaehuaea, Magnus Moreau, Eric Casco, Kaesten Bailey Smythe, Zayden Hirouji, AJ Bellarosa Gomez, Blake Haia, Donovan Ferguson and Cruz Urig.

The coaching staff included Buff Nakoa, Robyn Lanoza and Junya Nakoa.

The West Maui 50/70 team played Central in the only contest in the division on June 9.

West Maui was coached by Don Thompson and Salavador Chiang, and the player roster included Kamealoha Lanoza Uyeda, Ryzen Pedroza, Reign Baldwin, Salvador Chiang, Luca Acker, Micah Thompson, Ryder Urig, Tydus Nahooikaika, Delaney Dagupion, Liam Hirouji and Logan Sumida.

West Maui Little League Baseball expressed its deep appreciation to the league sponsors and the family and community support throughout the year.

The sponsor list included the Grand Wailea, Hitter’s Paradise, Hall Property, Duke’s Beach House, AAAAA Rent A Space, Kane’s Legacy Tree Service, Zero Emission Landscape Maintenance (ZELM), Cool Cat Café, Horse Power Painting, Maui Resort Rentals, The Plantation House, Hello Flow, Paulele Construction LLC, The Snorkel Store, Maui Island Sod, 9th Island Kava, and 9th Island Dump n Haul.

Mahalo to all sponsors and supporters of West Maui Little League Baseball.