More than 100 players, including some former pros, took part in an Atlanta Braves open tryout Saturday at Keehi Lagoon's baseball field. Greg Yamamoto | SL

Purchase image 1 of 1

Some were looking for a way back into the game.  Some were looking at their future.

The National League Atlanta Braves held an open tryout for 139 hopefuls Saturday under a blistering sun at Ke'ehi Lagoon's baseball field.  Open means the tryout was for former professional players, former and current college players, high school players and those who haven't been affiliated with the game, such as those in the work force or the military.  They ranged from 15-year-old Kobie Russell, who just finished his sophomore season at Waipahu High, to 32-year-old Bronson "Bully" Sardinha, four years out of the pro game and only one in attendance who played in Major League games.

"It's good to gauge where I'm at," said Sardinha, who signed a $1 million bonus out of Kamehameha in 2001. "I'm happy with it. I haven't seen live pitching in about four years."

He made his big league debut with the New York Yankees in 2007, moved on to the Seattle Mariners organization and eventually ended his career in the Colorado Rockies organization in 2011.  He has been teaching youths at his baseball academy, hoping to improve the game locally. "The goal is to make baseball the mecca down here, make it where everyone wants to come here, competition-wise. This is paradise. Bring down better competition, better players.  We'll start seeing kids succeeding and going on to the higher levels."

The tryout was coordinated by Braves' scout Dan Cox, an Aiea alumnus.  With the recent draft completed and players all assigned, there are no roster spots available in the Braves' organiation, he said, so none of the participants will be signed immediately.  But injuries occur and players get released, so if a spot becomes available, Cox said someone from the tryout could be only a phone call away from fulfilling his dream.  Of the 139 players, 35 were pitchers and the rest position players.  Also, Cox can recommend players with eligibility to junior colleges or four-year schools, where he can still scout them for the Braves.

The position players ran a 60-yard dash, graded on their fielding at their respective positions and took batting practice.  The pitchers threw a bullpen session.  The field was pared to about 16 pitchers and 17 hitters.  Each pitcher faced a round of three batters.

One of the surprises was 26-year-old Ashkhon Kuhaulua, a Kauai native, who played at Kamehameha-Kapalama. He spent one season at San Diego City JC before returning home for family reasons. He never returned to school, but practiced pitching with his younger brother, Rashaan, a 2014 graduate of Kapaa, and now playing for San Jose State.  He touched 95-mph.

"Everybody was telling me, ‘Go, tryout,'" Ashkhon Kuhaulua said.

The tryout also gives players who were not picked in the June baseball draft a shot to display their skills.  One of those was former University of Hawaii outfielder Kaeo Aliviado, a 2011 Saint Louis School alumnus.  

"I want to continue to stay in shape and stay in baseball as much as I can," Aliviado said. It's a good opportunity, not only for me, but for the Hawaii boys as well, just showcase what we have here in the islands to the Mainland that we do have a lot of players that can compete at the next level."

Players with high school eligibility were allowed to tryout, giving the Braves a head start in developing a scouting report for the future.

One of the players who made the final 16 position players was All-Hawaii outfielder Kaimana Souza-Paaluhi, who will be a senior at Mililani.

"It's good because this opens up opportunities for us," Souza-Paaluhi said.

One of the youngest was Waipahu's Russell, a 6-foot, 190-pound infielder who will be a junior and does not turn 16 until Nov. 10.

"I thought this would better me because there are better players (trying out)," said Russell, a starter since his freshman season for the Marauders "It's good to see what's out there.  It's something I've never experienced before, so it's a good thing for me."

Russell, who played varsity football last season, said he will forgo the sport this fall to concentrate on baseball.

The tryout also gave players with pro experience, but still young enough to make a legitimate comeback.  Among them were pitcher Joey Aquino (Mililani), who was drafted and signed by Toronto in the 35th round in the 2014 draft, but released after one season; outfielder Ben McQuown (Waianae), who was drafted and signed out of Campbell University (NC) by Oakland in the 30th round in 2013, but was released after the 2014 season; and pitcher Kale Kaalekahi, who signed with Seattle in 2010 out of Campbell High, but was released after the 2013 season.

"If it happens to be that way, then, yeah live the dream," Kaalekahi said of chance to return to pro ball. "If it does not, then it is what it is and life goes on. Baseball is only one small part of your life."

He touched 93 mph.  "But speed doesn't really bother me. I have to find a changeup.  I found my curveball.  Would've been a better day if I could find a changeup."