Monday, May 4, 1998
Apana gets a chance
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinMatt Apana's patience and resolve not to give up on his professional baseball career has paid off for the former Roosevelt High School and University of Hawaii right-hander.
He received several overtures since being released by the Seattle Mariners March 27. Teams in the independent Western League and Texas-Louisiana League called, but the one that suited Apana best came from Joe Klein.
A former major league general manager and director of player personnel, Klein heads up the independent North Atlantic League. He called Apana about three weeks ago to test his interest.
"They are going to pay me Triple-A money. It will be a good opportunity for me," Apana said.
"I kind of looked at everything and this league is the best situation for me. I know if I do what I'm capable of doing get good hitters out then I can make a stand for myself.
"There will be exposure and I'll get to see a part of the United States I've never seen before."
The league has teams in Bridgeport, Conn.; Nashua, N.H.; Newburgh, N.Y.; Newark and Atlantic City, N.J., and a "road" team that will not have a permanent ball park until 1999.
Apana, who has been working out in Arizona, leaves today for the league's invited spring training camp in Plant City, Fla. A draft is set for Sunday to stock the rosters for the coming season.
"If I do well, then I could get the chance to go right into Triple A. I'll be working again, continuing in the game, strengthening the shoulder and working toward full recovery," he said.
"All I need is the opportunity. As far as my outlook, I'm pretty positive, I'm not going to back down, I believe I can still pitch."
The 6-foot, 195-pounder had surgery on his right shoulder in August of 1996. He pitched just 92 innings last summer, but had a successful Hawaii Winter Baseball campaign with the Honolulu Sharks this past fall.
