After a fun, long stretch of tournaments and workouts in the summer on the mainland, Caleb Lomavita took some rare time off.
“I took a week off. I had enjoy being a kid for once,” the Saint Louis senior said on Wednesday. “I headed to the beach, hikes, all the legal stuff (when there were no lockdowns). After that, it was back to the grind. I started workouts with my weightlifting coach in town, Marcus Kimura. Since then, I’ve been working out every day. I haven’t stopped.”
Also on Wednesday, the versatile, power-hitting catcher/third baseman/outfielder/pitcher talked about his recent signing with the University of California. Saint Louis hosted a ceremony at the new Clarence T.C. Ching Athletic Center for Lomavita and football player Kalan Ellis, who signed with Syracuse.
“Committing (and signing) with a college like Cal Berkeley is, no matter if I go there for sports or education, I can always fall back on the education part because their academics is high over there,” said Lomavita, who was flanked by his mother (Kehaulani) and father (Sione). “I’m sure that if I graduate from there, there’s a lot of opportunities for me after I graduate.”
The Star-Advertiser All-State performer does some of his best work in the classroom. Lomavita has a 3.93 grade-point average.
Back in the summer, Lomavita ended a long stretch of no competition on the diamond. Two months on the West Coast, playing in tournaments like the Area Code games, filled that void caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Now, it’s back to repetition. Rep after rep.
“I have a cage at my cousin’s house (Aydan Lobetos). There’s no pitching machine, just soft toss, but there’s a complex that opened up in Waipahu that I’ve been going to. It’s beautiful. It’s like Disneyland for a baseball player,” he said. “They’re using the hit tracks and Rapsodo.”
Last season’s baseball schedule was wrecked after one week of regular-season play by coronavirus. After the upcoming season, fingers crossed, Lomavita will be one of many island prospects paying close attention to the Major League Baseball draft, which will begin on July 11.
He is not shy about his favorite MLB team.
“Right now? I just go for the team that’s winning, so the (Los Angeles) Dodgers right now. They’re pretty hot. When they’re doing good, they’re fun to watch, so you might as well make it your favorite team,” Lomavita said.
His heart remains set on catching at the next level.
“Controlling the game, yep. Being the unsung hero,” he said.
Aside from workouts, beach and hikes, there won’t be any other ventures.
“Nothing new. Can’t really explore the world yet. I’m still being locked down by my mom,” he said.
The future looks bright for Caleb. Hopefully he can continue on same path as his fellow Crusaders have laid for the men of Kalaepohaku: Jordan Yamamoto, Rico Garcia, and now Kaai Tom. Kudos to Coach Coach Gusman. How many high school coaches across the nation can say they sent 3 of their former players to the major leagues. GO SAINTS!
You are the best and your mom knows what’s best for you. Family is all you need and let me say as an aunty I love you. Go for the moon cause sky is the limit take care Caleb be safe.
None of those coaches did it for you except Marcus. You did this on your own. Good job and good luck.
Amen Crusader for life. Caleb…ALL YOU!!!!! Some of us know grinding like you do and playing in the mainland against elevated competition got you to the next level. It definitely isn’t because of the coaches or what he learned on 3rd ave. It’s a collective effort of all your coaches and influences but mostly you and the work you put in. To set the record straight on comment #1, Jordan Yamamoto was always a stud…Kudos to his dad for his development. Kaai and Rico were good high school players, not great. Kaai went to a Juco, Rico to HPU. It was after high school where these 2 boys made their greatest gains in the game, Kaai elevated his game and went D-1(Kentucky) then to the draft, and Rico improved his body and velocity enough to get drafted out of HPU…an accomplishment in itself. So Mr. Fukumoto, I think your Kudos are directed to the wrong coaches regarding the 3 players you mentioned…just saying!!!!! FACTS! No HS coaches send players to the MLB…players earn it along their journey to the show due to influence from a lot of people.