A baseball travels a dozen feet in a line with a dozen friends. All the throws arrive at the same moment. 

Ten pops of the glove in unison is a special sound to the ears of a baseball fan.

And when one throw skips past a glove and skitters away on the outfield grass, there’s a momentary pause. The rest of the throwing partners halt while the ball is retrieved and the reset button is pressed.

The warmup routine (and its distinctive sounds) is intentional for Team Kado Hawaii. It’s a building block of team continuity and togetherness on the baseball diamond, and a major driving force behind the program’s past success at the National Team Championships Arizona.

“It looks good and sounds good,” Tim Quiery, head coach of Team Kado Hawaii’s 14U Navy squad, said. “We like to have that (routine) program-wide. That way everyone is on the same page and they practice the fundamentals of throwing the ball the correct way.” 

Kado placed third at the 2018 14U National Team Championships Arizona, which marked the organization’s first medal at the event at any age group. The 2021 tournament featured five teams from Kado across four age levels, including two in the 14U pool. Team camaraderie and an appreciation for the opportunities the game of baseball provides are highlighted throughout the program, which stands for “Gateway to Baseball.”

“The Kado baseball program is a family,” Quiery said. “The people of Hawaii, they’re a family. Everyone sticks up for each other and everyone pulls for each other even if they don’t know one another.”

The same sense of camaraderie and togetherness extends beyond the dugout and bleachers, too. Members of the Kado program traveled with snacks aplenty for observers of the tournament — fans, staff members and umpires alike.

The gift baskets included a number of local favorites, including chocolate-covered macadamia nuts, gummy pineapples, and Hawaiian shortbread, among others.

Quiery’s personal favorite? The chocolate-covered macadamias, with no hesitation.

“The people of Hawaii are very hospitable, generous and provide for everyone,” Quiery said. “And who doesn’t like sweet treats?”

Much of the game of baseball is intentional. The placement of a pitcher’s fingers on the seams. The swings of a batter on-deck. The stretching sequence of a team prior to a game. It’s no different with the Kado baseball program. Every aspect of its players’, coaches’ and families’ relationship with the sport is thoughtful and predicated upon future development.

And maybe a sweet tooth.