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| 2,576 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
2,576 MLB PLAYERS | 16,376 MLB DRAFT SELECTIONS
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 | 7/21/2026

16U BCS Rolls into Fort Myers

Alyssa Golden
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The 21st annual 16U BCS National Championship returns to Fort Myers, Florida from July 23-27, bringing together many of the nation’s top 2028 graduates. The tournament features 44 teams, including six nationally ranked clubs, competing for a national title across five days of high-level competition. Year after year, the event has served as a proving ground for elite talent. Defending champion Showtime Select National 16U returns after capturing last year’s championship, while a talented field from across the country will look to add its name to the event’s prestigious history. One of the premier prospects in the field, shortstop Gabriel Coupet enters as the highest-ranked player in attendance, checking in at No. 49 overall in the Class of 2028 and No. 8 player in Florida. The Boynton Beach, Fla., native has established himself as one of the country’s most talented...
PG Select Baseball Festival | General | 7/21/2026

13u Select Festival Roster Reveal

Jheremy Brown
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With the completion of the 2026 13u National Showcase, an event that featured some of the best talent the age group has to offer, 42 players came out with the label of "Festivaler" as they received a phone call shortly after the event concluded. Moving back to the University of Tennessee after a two year stay at the University of Virginia, Ole Rocky Top will see a mixed bag of returners; three-timers, new faces and a couple who bridged the gap from the 11u game into the 13u iteration.  Of the 42 players, 9 players call Florida their home base which is the most of any state while Texas (8), California (7) and Georgia (5) are all close behind nearly three-quarters of the players selected. In total 17 different states are represented, from Hawaii to Arkansas, Washington to Maryland and everywhere in between.  Quick roster breakdown: Three-time Select Festival: 13 players ...
College | Story | 7/21/2026

Coppy's Corner: July 21 Summer Edition

John Coppolella
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The amateur players in the Cape Cod Baseball League are the future stars of the 2027 MLB Draft. The league runs from June 13th through August 2nd. Games are played at historic stadiums in Old New England towns. It’s beautiful and charming. Hollywood even made a movie about the Cape Cod League ~25 years ago called Summer Catch. It scored an 8% (!) on Rotten Tomatoes, but, on the plus side, it featured 2001 Jessica Biel in a starring role.  It was so much fun writing Coppy’s Column this spring. My hope is to highlight a pitcher and position player each week from the Cape. And, who knows, maybe somewhere out there Jessica Biel is reading it.    Player of the Week: Coen Niclai – Wareham Gatemen  The Internet tells me that 12 MLB players have come from Alaska, 10 of whom were from Anchorage, and the best of which is Curt Schilling. Niclai, who is also...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/20/2026

FTB National Completes Elite Run

Kinley Kitchens
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Championships are never won in a single game. For FTB National 2027, this one has been in the making for years. An 8-0 victory over Team Elite 17U Scout capped off an unforgettable week at the 2026 Perfect Game 17U National Elite Championship, but according to those inside the dugout, the championship was a product of friendships formed long before the tournament ever began. FTB took their first national elite win in team history, giving one of the nation’s top 2027 teams an elite ending to their 17U summer. “This is a homegrown group,” head coach Will Haynie said. “This team has been together for the last four or five years, and I think a lot of them have been together since the Little League World Series when they were 12. It’s been fun, and a nice little cap off to their 17U summer, especially after winning a big event like this.” That chemistry...
Tournaments | Story | 7/20/2026

16u World Series Scout Notes: Days 3-4

Perfect Game Staff
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16u World Series Scout Notes: Days 1-2 Lucas Sullivan (2027, Winder, GA) absolutely shoved in the first round of the playoffs. He racked up a total of 13 strikeouts across his seven inning, complete game shutout performance. Sullivan worked three pitches for strikes with lots of comfort and only allowed two hits. Ran the fastball up to 86 and he got lots of swing and miss on the 11-5 curveball. Mixes speeds well and was electric to watch. Landon King (2028, San Mateo, CA) was just one of the best players on the field the first two rounds of the playoffs. Totaled four hits, two of those were for extra bases and scored three times. Has lightning quick hands in the left-handed batter's box and produced loud contact constantly. Top of the class barrel skills with twitch in the turn.  Jacob Piles (2028, Cape Coral, FL) is hitting an astounding .615 with a pair of doubles in the...
Tournaments | Story | 7/20/2026

15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 3

Perfect Game Staff
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15u WWBA Scout Notes: Day 1 | Day 2 ‘29 RHP Bryson Auten (NJ) comes out throwing absolute flames to get out of a jam. Sitting 92-94 & does it with ease. Comes out of the hand well & challenging hitters with the FB. #WWBA @PGMidAtlantic pic.twitter.com/Tf18Rdk4mx — Perfect Game Scout (@PG_Scouting) July 19, 2026 Bryson Auten (2029, Flemington, N.J.) came in out of the bullpen in a brutal spot and recorded back-to-back strikeouts to get out of it. He would then register another pair of strikeouts in his second inning of work, ending the game going 1 2/3 innings with four strikeouts. The fastball was electric, working at 92-94 and does it super easy, coming out of the hand great. Command was excellent in this outing as well, throwing 70% strikes. It’s a power type arm with advanced arm talent for the age and any time you see 92-94 at a 15u event, it’s notable...
Tournaments | Championship | 7/20/2026

Legion Captures 16u WWBA West

Emily Hicks
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After five days of competitive baseball, Legion Baseball emerged as champions at the Perfect Game WWBA Championship, completing an impressive tournament run with a victory over ‘28 San DIego Ghost 10-3 in the championship game at Surprise Stadium.  The tournament brought together talented programs from across the West and beyond, with teams competing in the 15U and 16U divisions. Throughout the week, players showcased their skills in front of coaches, teammates, and families while battling through pool play and the championship bracket for the opportunity to hoist the trophy.  From the opening day of competition, Legion established itself as one of the tournament's top contenders. The club relied on hitting, quality pitching, and consistent defense to navigate a challenging field and earn its place in the championship game.  In the title matchup, Legion received key...
Draft | Story | 7/20/2026

2026 MLB Draft: Roster Challenge

Tyler Henninger
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With the 2026 MLB Draft complete, our own draft team put together a fun exercise. Using a snake style draft format, we each had to build a roster using players selected in the 2026 MLB Draft. There was one catch. Each team could select only one player from each of the first 10 rounds, plus one player from Rounds 11-20. You did not have to go in order of each round, meaning you could jump between rounds and pick which players you thought had the most value. Each team installed a different strategy, balancing between star power, positional value, and depth. You tell us, which team do you think has the most talent? Team Albee C: Vahn Lackey, Georgia Tech (1st rd) 1B: Will Adams, Hoover HS (11th rd) MIF: Cole Prosek, Magnolia Heights HS (2nd rd) MIF: Eric Guevara, Auburn (7th rd) 3B: Robert Omidi, Fieldhouse Pirates (8th rd) OF: Kevin Roberts Jr, Jackson Prep HS (4th rd) OF: Alex...
Press Release | Press Release | 7/20/2026

LGND Becomes Official Glove of PG

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  667 Progress Way | Sanford, FL 32771 | 319-298-2923 www.perfectgame.org | facebook.com/perfectgameusa | @PerfectGameUSA     FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE   PERFECT GAME PARTNERS WITH MLB SUPERSTAR MOOKIE BETTS, NAMING LGND OFFICIAL GLOVE OF PERFECT GAME   Partnership Officially Kicks Off with LGND Block Party on July 27 in Fullerton, California   Los Angeles, California (Monday, July 20, 2026) - Perfect Game, the world’s largest youth baseball and softball platform and scouting service, today announced a landmark partnership with Los Angeles Dodgers All-Star and 6-time Gold Glove Award winner Mookie Betts, naming recently-announced LGND Glove the Official Glove of Perfect Game. The collaboration establishes a first-of-its-kind relationship between baseball’s most influential amateur ecosystem and an active MLB superstar at the height of his career. The...
Tournaments | Story | 7/19/2026

17u WWBA North Champ. Scout Notes

Perfect Game Staff
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Ty Teske (2027, Merrill, WI) worked a complete-game seven-inning shutout while striking out 12 and never allowed the game to speed up on him. The fastball sat 79-81 and touched 83, consistently working to both sides of the plate and getting him into favorable counts. Repeats the delivery exceptionally well and maintained command throughout all seven innings. Mixed in a 69-71 curveball with depth that he showed confidence landing for strikes early or using to finish at-bats. Did an excellent job changing eye levels and preventing hitters from sitting on one pitch.   Landon Sanderson (2027, Lake Crystal, MN) attacked hitters with an 85-87 fastball that reached 89 and showed quality arm-side movement through the zone. The ball comes out with some jump and continued to play throughout the outing. Stayed on the attack from the first inning, consistently getting ahead and forcing...
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