Professional baseball returns to Hawai'i — more specifically Maui — with the introduction of Na Ikaika Koa Maui of the independent Golden Baseball League, Maui County announced in a press release yesterday.

It is the Valley Isle's first pro baseball team since Hawaii Winter Baseball's Maui Stingrays from 1993 to 1997. It's the state's first pro team since HWB played its last season last year.

With the addition of the Maui franchise, the Golden League has 12 teams scattered across California, Utah, Arizona, Canada and Mexico. The GBL plays an 88-game schedule from May through August. The Maui team will play at Iron Maehara Stadium.

The release said that former big leaguer Cory Snyder will manage the Maui team and that O'ahu resident Brendan Sagara will be the pitching coach. Also, 'Aiea High alumnus Mark Okano, who has played with other GBL teams, will be one of the team's players.

The GBL will be entering its sixth season.