Shane Victorino, world ambassador for Hawaii

Hawaii has received a few mentions worldwide because of the latest World Baseball Classic, thanks to Maui native Shane Victorino.

The St. Anthony High School graduate, an outfielder who recently signed a three-year deal with the Boston Red Sox, is on Team USA in the international competition, making some key plays to keep it in the running. Announcers watching him have remarked on the number on his jersey — 50 — which they said is an odd number for a baseball player to wear. But after looking into it, they said, it all makes sense: Victorino is from Hawaii, the 50th state.

Victorino, also a member of the 2008 World Series-winning Philadelphia Phillies, told the Boston Herald earlier this month that despite the U.S. failing to reach the WBC championship in the previous two outings, in 2006 and 2009, he expected Team USA to "go deep" this time, and so far, he has been correct. In Miami today, it plays in the double-elimination second round against Dominican Republic, starting at 1 p.m. The classic finishes Tuesday in San Francisco.

Rock-climbing bill has surprising twist

It’s nice to see some people willing to take responsibility for their own actions — or foolishness, depending on how you want to look at it.

In this case, local rock climbers are supporting a measure that would give the state immunity from lawsuits involving their recreational activity on unimproved state lands; at the moment, such activities on those lands are banned. Rock climbers said they want the same freedom to roam as surfers and skateboarders.

The proposal, approved by the Senate and now before the House, is supported by the national rock climbing group Access Fund, which noted that other states have passed immunity statutes, too. However, it’s reported that the measure faces an "uphill battle" — pun intended — since not all the decision makers are convinced the bill is necessary.