Hawai`i Baseball Adds to Board of Directors

Hawai`i Baseball LLC, the owner of two baseball franchises in the islands, announced two new members of the organization’s board of directors.

Hawai`i Baseball manages Na Koa Ikaika Maui and the Hawai`i Stars, who debuted last season in the North American Baseball League. The Maui franchise has been around for three years.

With the franchise working on agreements with teams in Asia, the Board of Directors is expanding to reflect their future. Larry P. Sloven, who currently is on the Board of Directors for Farrell Sports Concepts, lived in Hong Kong for over 23 years, and was the buying agent for that region with Dick’s Sporting Goods and Sports Authority.

Also joining the Board of Directors is Gary Sterling of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Sterling also has experience with Dick’s Sporting Goods in his former roles of Senior Vice President and Chief Merchandising Officer.

In a statement, Bob Young, Managing Member of Hawai`i Baseball LLC, said that “these talented executives bring to Hawai`i Baseball a familiarity and an unparalleled wealth of experience. As we become more involved in Asia with the World Independent Baseball League and expand our business operations in the state, these new Board Members are incomparable resources and professionals who will bring their proven acumen and successes to enrich Hawai`i Baseball.”

The organization’s ties to the Far East were strengthened last year when Na Koa Ikaika Maui hosted the Ishikawa Million Stars for a series at Iron Maehara Stadium. A combined group of players from both of the organization’s franchises later traveled to Japan to play a two-game series against the Million Stars, which the sides split.

During that trip, managing partners of Hawai`i Baseball met with the owners of at least six Japanese franchises to discuss a number of opportunities for 2013. According to a press release posted to MauiProBaseball.com, an agreement was reached between the organization and the Baseball Challenge League to create inter-league baseball games. They will also work toward the creation of the “World Independent Baseball League.”

Both teams currently play games in the North American Baseball League, but a team source says that it appears that one of the teams in the North Division will cease operations before the 2013 season, leaving league play in flux.