Hawaii Pride 70s Win Winter Worlds; Two Teammates Die

June 1, 2013

Two players from the Hawaiian Pride 70 Major team died a short time after their team won the Winter Worlds in Phoenix in November, 2012.

William “Billy” Kaleikuaiwa Lyman, 70, of Hilo, Hawaii, died Jan. 8. Born in Hilo, he was a retired lieutenant with the Hawaii County Police Department, where he was a silver medal of valor recipient.

“We won the championship and he was waiting for his ring, but passed away before seeing it,” said Danny Ayala, player-coach of the Hawaiian Pride 70’s. “He was a humble giant of a guy and I remember him thanking me when I asked him to come and join us. He pitched two games.”

Richard Augustine DeSa, also a player with Hawaiian Pride 70s, died Nov. 30, 2012, at Hilo Medical Center.

Born in Honomu, DeSa, 71, was a retired regional manager with the Army Air Force Exchange Service and a former professional baseball player in Japan with the Daimai Orions.