Hawaii Winter Baseball
Hawaii Winter Baseball (HWB), based in Honolulu, Hawaii, was a professional baseball league in the Hawaiian islands. It was loosely affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB).
 Hawaii Winter Baseball logo | |
| Sport | Baseball |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1993 |
| Ceased | 2008 |
| No. of teams | 4 |
| Country |  United States |
| Last champion(s) | North Shore Honu |
| Official website | www.hawaiiwinterbaseball.com |
History
The HWB league first began play in 1993. Funded by Major League Baseball, the league drew players from the MLB, Nippon Professional Baseball, the Korea Baseball Organization, and independent leagues. Games were played in Hawaii from October to December. The HWB league first folded after the 1997 season as it was too heavily reliant on its limited funding from MLB.
In 2006, the league returned for its sixth season. It was the only winter league to feature both top Japanese and American talent. However, this new league folded following the 2008 season when the contract with MLB expired.[1]
Alumni
2006-2008 Teams
| East | ||
| Team | City | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| Honolulu Sharks | Honolulu, Hawaii | Les Murakami Stadium |
| Waikiki BeachBoys | ||
| West | ||
| Team | City | Stadium |
| North Shore Honu | Waipahu, Hawaii | Hans L'Orange Field |
| West Oahu CaneFires | ||
Former teams
- Hilo Stars
- Kauai Emeralds
- Kaneohe Bay Dawgs
- Kona Man O'Wars
- Kona Navigators
- Lahaina Whalers
- Maui Stingrays
The Kaneohe Bay Dawgs and Kona Man O'Wars were announced in August 1996 as expansions teams to begin play in 1997.[4] The Kaneohe announcement was rescinded in October 1996,[5] and Kona did not play in 1997.[6]
Champions
- 1993 Hilo Stars (No play-off)
- 1994 Kauai Emeralds (No play-off)
- 1995 Maui Stingrays
- 1996 Maui Stingrays
- 1997 Honolulu Sharks
- 2006 North Shore Honu
- 2007 North Shore Honu (Play-off rained out)
- 2008 Waikiki BeachBoys
References
- Goldstein, Kevin (December 16, 2008). "Aloha, Hawaii Winter Baseball". Baseball Prospectus. Archived from the original on March 7, 2012. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- Galdeira, Kyle (March 13, 2007). "Alumni News and Information". hawaiiwinterbaseball.com. Hawaii Winter Baseball. Archived from the original on January 18, 2014. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- "Hawaii Winter Baseball Alumni". hawaiiwinterbaseball.com. Hawaii Winter Baseball. Archived from the original on August 27, 2007. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- Luis, Cindy (August 8, 1996). "Hawaii Winter League unveils two new teams". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- Luis, Cindy (October 22, 1996). "Keeping Score". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2020.
- Chase, Al (October 9, 1997). "Hawaii Winter Baseball opens season tomorrow". Honolulu Star-Bulletin. Archived from the original on May 14, 2021. Retrieved March 6, 2020.