A new Maui Adult Baseball League champion will be crowned, as the Summer 2020 Championship Series will feature the Makena Royals and the Upcountry Dirtbags. After defeating the West Maui Brewers in a 12-inning thriller in the first round of the playoffs, the Dirtbags stunned the baseball world with a 2-0 upset of the defending champion La Perouse Pirates to advance to their first Championship Series appearance since they last won the title during the Summer 2017 season. Led by first-year manager Lance Fujii, the Royals earned a first round bye before storming back from a game 1 loss against the Central Rays, winning the semi-final match-up 2 games to 1. Both the Dirtbags and Royals feature ex-pro shortstops batting the middle of their respective lineups, with former San Francisco Giants farmhand Aaron Hornostaj leading the Dirtbags to a 6-2 record since the beginning of October, and Maui’s own Gered Mochizuki, originally drafted by the Kansas City Royals out of Baldwin High School, anchoring a tremendously talented Royals infield.
The MABL Championship Series will be played at the Maui High School baseball field with Game 1 of the best-of-three series being played on Sunday, November 22 at 10:00am. Game 2 will be played the following weekend (Sunday, November 29) at 10:00am, with a decisive third game to follow at 1:15pm if necessary. Come out and watch some of the best talent the Maui Adult Baseball League has to offer as it’s two top teams battle for the Summer 2020 MABL title, and be sure to check back on the website for updates and scores after the games. The league would like to remind all participants and spectators to comply with County-mandated pandemic precautions as we strive to do our part for the community.
The Summer 2020 Upcountry Dirtbags.
The Summer 2020 Makena Royals.