Friday, July 10, 1998

Movers look to
get a move on

Hawaii's ailing baseball
team looks forward to
home stint

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

The Hawaii Island Movers begin the second half of the Alaska Baseball League season Sunday. They hope the friendly confines of Rainbow Stadium leads to a major reversal in the fortunes of their summer campaign.

With 14 league games scheduled over the next 13 days, the Movers (2-12) will attempt to dig themselves out of last place in the league standings.

They completed a 15-game, 13-day road trip to the 49th state last night.

The Movers host the Goldpanners of Fairbanks, Alaska, Sunday in a doubleheader starting at 2 p.m. at Rainbow Stadium.

"Anytime you have kids coming from different programs, it is difficult to put it all together," Movers head coach Kallen Miyataki said. "But the overwhelming thing on the road trip has been the competition and the switch to the wood bat.

"From all the people I've talked with in Alaska, we've played the three top teams (Anchorage Bucs, Anchorage Glacier Pilots and Peninsula Oilers).

"I think the switch to the wood bat is better for the league and gives the kids who want to go to a higher level a dose of reality."

The Movers lost several close games in Alaska because of the little things like a missed bunt, a costly error or a misjudged pop-up. Thay also lack a true closer on the pitching staff.

Three starting pitchers -- Fletcher Lee (Lewis-Clark State), Ian Jones (Hawaii) and David Battagin (Santa Clara) -- have performed well, with the latter two switching from reliever roles after the college season.

Lon Yamaguchi, Dane Sardinha, Danny Kimura and Kevin Okimoto have provided most of the offense. All played for mainland schools this past spring.

"At times, we have played well, and I think we'll get our share of wins when we get back," Miyataki said. "It has been frustrating because we're almost there, but haven't quite gotten over the hump.

"This is a great opportunity for the local kids who went away to school and now get a chance to come home and play in front of family and friends."

The series with the Goldpanners continues with 6 p.m. games Monday through Thursday and the 4:30 p.m. finale next Friday.

Tickets cost $3 for adults and $2 for senior citizens and students.