American Samoa Under 19 Baseball team on the road, and ready to compete
The American Samoa Under 19 Boys Baseball Team is now in the United States set to compete not only in the US, but in Canada as well. They are anticipating playing 20 plus games, as told to Samoa News by head of the American Samoa Baseball Association (ASBA) Victor Langkilde.
The Under 19 team arrived safely in Las Vegas on Monday night and will be playing against an Under 19 All Star team (the Outlaws) from St. George, Utah at Dixie State College (DSC) today.
According to the St. George News online, www.thespectrum.com, the skipper of the American Samoa ball club is DSC assistant baseball coach, Brent Haring, who has been a member of the DSC Red Storm coaching staff since 2009. Haring, who has been one of the leaders in providing Samoan youth baseball opportunities, views his role with pleasure.
“I am excited for the opportunity to be associated with the boys and to pass on some of my knowledge of the game. Obviously, I love the game of baseball and I see it as a way to help influence young men’s lives,” said Haring as reported by the Spectrum.
Also reported by the Spectrum, coach for the American Samoa Under 19 baseball team and head of the ASBA Victor Langkilde said, “It was obvious to us that Brent has a passion and a love for the kids. He just does everything for the kids and their success.”
“Locally, we still have a long way to go, but it’s through people like Brent and other willing coaches and volunteers, that will keep us improving,” said Langkilde
The team will be in Utah from June 25-July 7. From July 7 to July 15, they will be in Canada. The American Samoa Under 19 team is made up of players from local public and private high schools; Samoana, Tafuna, Leone, Nu’uuli Voc-Tech and Fa’asao Marist High Schools are represented.
Victor Langkilde told Samoa News that this next stage of competition in Utah and Canada will continue to develop the skills and talent of our young baseball players in American Samoa; and with the opportunity to travel abroad and being able to participate in this competition, it will also provide potential college opportunities for these young players.
Here is the roster for the American Samoa Under 19 baseball team:
Player School:
1 Carl Samoa Fa’asao Marist
2 Darien Tauiliili Tafuna
3 Darius Tupuola Samoana
4 Derek Tupuola Samoana
5 Emmanuel Sword Tafuna
6 Freddie Libra Fa’asao Marist
7 Fritz Helg Samoana
8 Ieti Savelio Tafuna
9 Ikaika Mahuka Fa’asao Marist
10 Isaia Falefa Mid-Pac/Hawaii
11 Isaia Helg Samoana
12 Jason Laolagi Samoana
13 JV Langkilde Fa’asao Marist
14 Kimo Solaita Samoana
15 Kyle Tauili Tafuna
16 Leuma Fualefau Fa’asao Marist
17 Mason Samoa Fa’asao Marist
18 Peter Misilagi Jr. Voc-Tech
19 Prince Fuimaono Leone
20 Raimana Hunkin Fa’asao Marist
21 Taylor Tauiliili Tafuna
22 Tolia Solaita Tafuna
23 Tua Ward Utah
Under 19 Baseball team coaches are Victor Langkilde, Brent Haring, Peter Misilagi, Samoa Samoa, Edmund Helg and Jed Chrishman.