Faces on the Field: Kaaihue, Kaanoi

When you ask Kila Kaaihue how to say "baseball" in Hawaiian, he says he couldn't really tell you. His High Desert Mavericks teammate Kahi Kaanoi says he doesn't even think there is a word for "baseball" in Hawaiian.

This in no way implies the two Hawaiian natives don't hold their home near to their hearts as they make names for themselves in the Minors. Both prefer to be referred to by their Hawaiian names, a way to stay connected to their heritage, which may sometimes seem foreign to the rest of the mainland.

Kaaihue and Kaanoi have been playing in the Minors together for the past three seasons, but their baseball ties go far beyond that. They are both grateful they have a teammate each can relate to while gracing the roster of the Mavericks, Class A affiliate of the Kansas City Royals.

"Kila and I played together in Little League in Hawaii and then against each other in high school," said Kaanoi.

Kaaihue has grown up around baseball.

"I was pretty much born in the clubhouse," recalled Kaaihue. "It's all I did. I've lived and breathed baseball for as long as I can remember."

Kaaihue's father, a catcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates' farm system in the early 1970s before being drafted to serve in Vietnam, has been the dominant force in his son's love for the game.

"My dad played professionally until I was 3 or 4, and when he came home [from the war] he was in it from a coaching standpoint," Kaaihue said.

If there was one thing Kaaihue knew, it was that he wanted to be a professional baseball player.

"When I was little, kids and teachers would laugh when I would tell them, but I knew. It's been the one constant my whole life," Kaaihue said.

Deric Ladnier, senior director of scouting for the Kansas City Royals, said "We saw him [Kaaihue] a year before he was selected. I was there to see other players, but he caught our eyes enough to keep him in mind for a year."

The dream came closer to turning into a reality when Kaaihue was drafted three years ago. At age 18, he missed his own high-school graduation to catch a plane to Florida to report for training.

It was the first time he was alone and away from his home and family for more than two weeks.

"That first night was tough; I thought I had made the biggest mistake of my life. I was 18, alone, scared and realizing that this was it, the road to the big leagues. There was no turning back."

Kaaihue recalled a change of heart after reporting to the ballpark the next morning.

"I showed up at practice not knowing anyone, but once I stepped on the field, everything was OK. I knew why I was there and that things would be fine."

Kaaihue soon found out he did know someone: Kahi Kaaihue.

"Having Kahi already playing for two years really helped me. It was good to be around because he knew what was expected and helped me grow up."

With the help of his father and fellow teammate, Kaaihue, the Mavs first baseman, has gotten off to one of the best starts of his career. It's the first time he's hitting over .300 since rookie ball, he says.

Kaaihue also took home the Mavs' "Player of the Month" award in April.

"It feels awesome, I talk to my dad after every game, and he asks me how I did and gives me great advice that helps."

Kaanoi, the-22-year-old right-handed pitcher, has also come a long way from the island, Oahu, where he grew up. After graduating high school, a seventh-round selection in the 2000 draft brought Kaanoi to Florida at the tender age of 17.

"It was different, everything about the experience. It was the first time I was here alone, but it was something I was looking forward to because I was coming to play baseball -- that's what I wanted to do," Kaanoi said.

The groundball specialist got the chance to take the hill for the Mavs in 2005, after two full seasons in Burlington, and time spent pitching for Wilmington.

"When Kahi is on the mound, he's always focused. He's never shaken or thrown off guard against anyone he's facing," said Mavericks general manager Bruce Mann.

It's safe to say that focus -- particular when it comes to baseball -- is something important to Kaanoi. "Going through high school you figure out whether or not you have something in you to make it [in professional baseball] or not."

Being introduced to baseball at a young age left an impression. "My father is a firefighter, but he played in college, so I've been playing since Little League."

So far this season Kaanoi is 2-4 with a 4.93 ERA after eight starts. "I feel good overall," he said, "but I need to be more consistent. For the most part I have good control and my velocity is still there, but every now and then I will lose focus for a couple innings and fall apart, so I need to work on that."

"Kahi has a maturity both on and off the field that you wouldn't expect of a 22-year-old," Mann said.

His maturity can be seen through the quiet, laid-back vibe given off when talking about himself; one can sense his modesty.

Although Kaanoi proclaimed himself as a shy guy, teammates and Mann are quick to agree that he makes things fun in the clubhouse.

Both Kaanoi and Kaaihue are always one of the first guys to get involved in community activities and love to reach out to fans.

"My father always taught me to be grateful and give back, so that's what I do," Kaanoi said.

The similarities shared between these two are only enhanced by the differences in each's character. Kaaihue grew up around baseball and can't see himself doing anything but playing in the Majors.

Kaanoi says if he was not drafted, he would have gone to college to study fire science. In fact, he's planning on taking the firefighter's exam this offseason.

Kaaihue grew up a Red Sox fan and looks at Manny Ramirez as a strong influence on his own take of the game. Kaanoi went to Oakland A's games when he was young and tries not to emulate one specific person. "I go out and just try to do my best," he said. "Whatever happens, happens."

Spoken like a true Hawaiian. His teammate can relate.