After leaving an imprint on the University of Hawaii softball record book, three former Rainbow Wahine players continue to make an impact on the sport locally.
In the three years their college careers overlapped, Kelly (Majam) Elms, Jessica Iwata and Stephanie Ricketts contributed to UH 131 wins, two NCAA tournament berths and a Women’s College World Series appearance.
They’ll get back together this weekend to pass on their knowledge in the two-day All-American Softball Clinic at Kapolei High School. The trio will also take the clinic to Kauai on Aug. 2 and 3.
"We all love the game and we have passion for it, so it’s nice we can still keep in touch and it’s something we all love to do," Iwata said.
Iwata has recovered from shoulder surgery following her senior season in 2013 and is hoping to pursue playing opportunities, perhaps overseas. In the meantime, she’s reuniting with Elms and Ricketts to teach the game.
The Kapolei clinic begins Saturday with a session for players 8 to 12 years old. Sunday’s clinic will be geared for players ages 13-18. Ricketts will lead a 90-minute pitching session starting at 10 a.m. Elms and Iwata will handle hitting and fielding from 12:30 to 3:30 p.m.
The cost is $35 for the pitching clinic, $50 for the hitting and pitching portion and $75 for the complete package.
Ricketts, now in nursing school at UH, completed her career in 2012 as UH’s all-time leader in appearances, wins and strikeouts. Elms and Iwata graduated a year later and top the UH career lists in home runs and doubles. Elms, an elementary school teacher, scored a record 235 runs, with Iwata driving in a program-best 197.
Iwata helped arrange the Kauai clinic at Isenberg Park, which will include a recruiting seminar for parents on Aug. 3. The clinic is sponsored by the Kauai County Department of Parks and Recreation and will be free for players.
"I pitched (county officials) what we were doing and explained to them about how when I was growing up there wasn’t much for softball and there wasn’t much for girls," said Iwata, a Kauai High graduate. "It’s something I’ve been wanting to do for a long time.
"As much as I can help I’d like to help and for the ones who want to try to make it to the next level we’re going to try to educate them as much as possible so they’re prepared."
To register or for more information on the Kapolei clinic, email kellymajam00@yahoo.com. Information on the Kauai clinic is available via email at jessicaiwatat@yahoo.com.
