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Tournaments  | Story | 6/11/2021

Distance Proves Moot for Hawaii Elite

Photo: Kodie Ecks Hanawahine (Perfect Game)
ATLANTA, Ga. -- 4,407 miles, or 65,560 strips around the bases. That’s how far Hawaii Elite 2G 17u has traveled to take part in their first travel ball tournament of the summer, the Perfect Game Battle of the Southeast. 
 
Often lost in Hawaii’s environment of crystal-blue shores and active volcanoes, is a rich history of athleticism. Hawaii Elite is only the latest home-grown team with desires to prove their worth.
 
Despite the arduous travel schedule associated with traversing an entire ocean and an additional three time zones in the continental U.S., Hawaii Elite find themselves 1-0 after the first day of their summer campaign. Oh, by the way, that first win: an 8-0 run-rule victory in five innings.
 
“It was a long travel and a long day for us,” said Keoni Painter, Thursday Morning’s starter. “We really didn’t get a lot of sleep with the six-hour time difference and all, but we’re all ready to play and wanted to play out here, and it felt really good.”
 
Painter, a kind of left-handed super utility player for Hawaii Elite, delivered four scoreless innings in his team’s win, allowing only two hits, while utilizing a fastball that flirted with mid- to high-80s. As one of the four Elite players given a status on Perfect Game’s national player ranking composite, (Painter listed as a ‘high follow’ prospect), he considers himself one of the team’s leaders.
 
Other players on the team with a ranked status include outfielder Jaden Pieper (follow, Pacific Lutheran commit), right-handed pitcher Parker Grant (high follow) and corner infielder Jameson Hussey (follow, NAIA commit).
 
Notably so far from home, Hawaii Elite’s roster does not boast a particularly extensive list of names. Instead, the 16-man card relies on a brotherly bond forged only by the ‘island boys.’
 
“The vibes are pretty high,” said Pieper. “We had a shortened high school season, at my school, so it felt good to come out here and play some more ball. Most of the team is from Oahu, but we also have three boys from Maui out here, but we’re all local boys, so we all get along.”
 
Even though some of the team just met just days ago, it's clearly visible the team possesses a unique chemistry that extends beyond the Pacific and into the dugout. Elite put together back-to-back four run innings in their win, including seven hits and five walks. So far, it’s safe to say each player embraces a next-man-up mentality on the field. 
 
That realization could prove vital to their success when playing teams capable of fielding an extremely talented starting nine. But not lost on Pieper and his teammates, is the opportunity they now have to face off against a competitive pool that simply is not accessible to them on their island state. 
 
Following this weekend’s contests in Atlanta, Hawaii Elite will make subsequent trips to tournaments in Arizona and Texas, with further aims of exposing its players to as many eyes as possible. Perhaps an even bigger realization, the team now has a renewed chance to play at some of the best youth facilities in the world. And it is on nobody’s agenda to waste the moment.
 
“We are just super grateful, being from Hawaii and getting all this exposure and playing a lot of good teams,” Pieper said. “It’s good putting Hawaii on the map. And the fields are just awesome here. In Hawaii, we don’t really have any fields, so playing here on turf, I feel like some teams take it for granted, but it is so nice for us”
 
For Hawaii Elite’s uncommitted members, this summer provides ample opportunities to perform on a large stage, but for Painter, what it comes down to is each team member competing to the best of their ability.
 
“We’re playing ball, but at the same time, we’re trying to prove something,” Painter said. “We’re trying to get exposure and all of that because they don’t really expect us, but we just come out here and play. Honestly, for me I’m just excited to play with these guys, in these tournaments, and to gain exposure.”
 
Hawaii Elite’s future scheduled tournaments include the 2021 Central Elite Championship and WWBA South Championship, two events both centered in Texas. And although their final place in the Battle of the Southeast remains yet to be settled, this team, no stranger to adversity, is poised to make the most of it.

Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Scout Stories: Part 5

AJ Denny
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Best Game I Saw: The Dream NTL 18U vs. MBA Scout Team Murphy Jupiter always brings out the best, and we got fireworks from the jump. Turner Marshall gave The Dream an outstanding 4+ innings of work on the mound, holding a lethal MBA team at bay with Chance Dixon, Derrick Carter, and Ellis Appling providing an offensive spark out of the gate for the Georgia based boys. However, it was only a matter of time before the talent on the other side got going, as MBA erased a 3-run deficit in the 5th to take a 4-3 lead led by a Parker Loew HR. The Dream then took command again in the Top of the 6th, before MBA punched right back with a huge 5-run inning in the bottom half capped off by a clutch RBI single from Matthew Kerrigan, ending a wild sequence with tons of notable performances from two very competitive rosters. Best Tournament Performance I Saw: Surely someone has already brought this...
College | Story | 12/12/2025

College Notebook: December 12

Craig Cozart
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Nebraska Cornhuskers 2025 Highlights: The Cornhuskers were a difficult team to figure in ’25 as they finished with 33 wins, played just .500 (15-15) in the Big Ten but had some big wins at various times during the season and got hot at the right time. They knocked off then #16 Vanderbilt in the second game of the year, beat #5 Oregon State 2-out-of-3 at home in late March and then got hot at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha to win the Big Ten Tournament. They beat Michigan State in a 10-inning thriller before taking care of #4 Oregon, knocking off Penn State and then shutout #13 UCLA to punch their ticket to the Chapel Hill Regional. Head coach Will Bolt has now led his alma mater to three conference titles and three NCAA Regional appearances during his six years in Lincoln. No different than when he was a player, Bolt’s teams play with passion and toughness, this was never more...
Tournaments | Story | 12/12/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2028

Troy Sutherland
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 | Class of 2027 You like athletes? You like defenders who can impact a game at any given point? Look not further than this class as it's loaded from coast-to-coast with elite defenders all over the diamond.  C: Brogan Witcher, Bakersfield, CA Our scouting staff got several strong looks at Witcher whether that was at the Summer Kickoff, Sophomore National or the Underclass All American Games where he showcased his strong overall skillset and especially his advanced ability behind the plate. His 6-foot-3,180 pound build looks like one that will fill in quite nicely and be that big and physical catcher’s frame. His arm talent is undeniable where he gets it out quick and runs it up to 79 mph on throwdowns to 2nd (1.84 pop). Besides the standout catch/throw ability, we’ve seen him frame/receive strong arms and block it well during...
Softball | Softball Tournament | 12/11/2025

PG Softball "Toys 4 Tots" Fundraiser 18U division

Dave Durbala
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BURLINGTON, IA - 2025 Perfect Game Softball Toys 4 Tots Fundraiser One Day, December 7, 2025. Kicking off the holiday season, six teams participated in this one day, 3 game guarantee tournament in the 18u Division. We would like to thank those that donated a toy, and know that they will be distributed to area underprivileged children through a local charity organization. Following are some of the top performers from the weekend. Earning Tournament MV-Pitcher was Jolee Strohmeyer (2026 Dubuque, IA), a RHP/UTIL with tournament champion Lady Expos Blue. Strohmeyer shows hitters a consistent and repeatable motion and delivery with good use of the legs in the drive phase, and a quick and aggressive arm whip. Working with a six pitch mix of fastball, change-up, rise, drop, curve and screw, Strohmeyer topped out at 60 mph, and showed good movement  as she worked her rise and curve just out...
Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Scout Stories: Part 4

Tyler Henninger
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Scout Notes: Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 Best Game I Saw: Hudson Reed (‘26, GA) torches this ball to deep CF for a solo 💣. Generates easy power that plays to the big part of the yard. Middle of the order traits #UBCWest @PG_Georgia @PG_Uncommitted pic.twitter.com/UXqDVFmUBx — Perfect Game California (@California_PG) June 18, 2025 I was fortunate enough to see a lot of highly competitive games with loads of talent on the field, the game that sticks out to me the most was Alpha Prime 2026 vs. ZT National Prospects at the UBC West. The game was an efficiently played affair with arms dominating on both sides. Graham Schlicht was masterful for Alpha, striking out 12 hitters over 5 dominant innings. PG All-American Julian Cazares came out of the pen blowing smoke, touching 97 mph with the fastball. On the other side, Jake Carbaugh surrendered just one hit and...
Press Release | Press Release | 12/11/2025

PG Believe In Baseball Announces Awards Dinner

Perfect Game Staff
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    667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   THE PERFECT GAME BELIEVE IN BASEBALL FOUNDATION ANNOUNCES DETAILS FOR FIRST ANNUAL “IN THE SPIRIT OF THE GAME” AWARDS DINNER AND AUCTION   Los Angeles, California (Thursday, December 11, 2025) – The Perfect Game Believe in Baseball Foundation, together with Perfect Game leadership of Chairman Rick Thurman and CEO Rob Ponger, has announced the inaugural “In the Spirit of the Game” event, an evening of baseball and laughter, taking place Saturday, January 31, 2026, at the iconic Laugh Factory in Hollywood, Calif. The evening supports the Foundation’s mission to provide financial assistance and resources that allow deserving young athletes to play, learn and grow through the...
Tournaments | Story | 12/11/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2027

AJ Denny
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Finest in the Field: Class of 2026 Elite defenders from coast to coast certainly seems to be a strength and to think you could make another top-tier team without thinking, speaks to the real depth this group possesses. The infield is a no-doubt strength of the group, but what catcher Dariel Carrion can do behind the plate is like something we haven't seen in a while in the prep ranks with an absolutely bazooka of an arm.  C: Dariel Carrion (San Juan, PR)  It isn’t often you get a catching prospect as athletic and natural as Dariel Carrion, a big reason why he holds the rank of #1 player in PR and #18 nationally. Metrics wise, the 5-foot-10, 210 pound San Juan native is all you can ask for and more, posting a sub 1.80 pop time with an 84 mph arm behind the dish. He has both contact and clear power threat on the offensive end, ending 2025 with a .337 BA and 4 HRs while also...
Tournaments | Story | 12/10/2025

Finest in the Field: Class of 2026

Tyler Henninger
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The Class of 2026 is one of the deeper prep classes that we have seen in a couple of years. With that being said, there is plenty of talent on the defensive side. Let’s take a look at some of the best defenders in the class.  C: Will Brick, Christian Brothers HS (Memphis, TN) Brick is a newcomer to the class after reclassifying, but immediately became the top backstop. Extremely advanced actions are shown behind the dish with impressive athleticism to go with it. Brick showcases big time arm strength and is consistently accurate on throw downs. He can make playing the position look extremely easy at times. Brick possesses all the defensive tools needed to be a premier catcher.  1B: AJ Curry, University City HS (San Diego, CA) Curry has a bigger and stronger frame with good strength throughout. He has a well-proportioned build that serves him well on the dirt. He’s...
General | Blog | 12/10/2025

Youth Baseball Exec. DeDonatis III Joins PG

Jim Salisbury
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Youth Baseball Executive Don DeDonatis III Joins PG By Jim Salisbury  It’s free-agent season in baseball and Perfect Game has landed a big one. Don DeDonatis III joined PG as a consultant in November. The DeDonatis name is synonymous with youth baseball and softball. Along with his dad, Don Jr., DeDonatis helped build USSSA into a big hitter in the game. He brings decades of experience and knowledge to PG. “We all acknowledge that Donny has moved on from USSSA,” PG CEO Rob Ponger said. “This is a new chapter for him and we hope both sides take advantage of it to help youth sports in general. “The DeDonatis name has a legacy attached to it and we’re hoping that Donny is going to help us. PG is a growing brand and he’s on board to help.” DeDonatis was CEO at USSSA from 2018 until his exit from the company two years ago. “I’m...
Tournaments | Story | 12/10/2025

Scout Stories: Part 3

John McAdams
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Scout Notes: Part 1 | Part 2 Best Game I Saw: The 17u Ultimate Baseball Championship featured a thrilling matchup between the ZT National Prospects and the Trosky Brewers 2026, with the winner claiming the trophy. Both teams showcased their talent, boasting a combined 15 players committed to Division I programs. In a back-and-forth contest that highlighted standout pitching against potent lineups, ZT National ultimately held off a late comeback to secure a 5-4 victory. Justin Lopez shone for ZT National with three hits and two RBIs, while University of North Carolina commit William Myhand added two hits and two runs batted in. On the Trosky side, UCSB commit Noah Dabela kept his team competitive with an impressive performance out of the bullpen, tossing 2 and 2/3 scoreless innings. However, time ran out with ZT on top. Best Tournament Performance I Saw: Noah Jarolimek delivered...
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