RAINBOW BASEBALL
Rainbows get another shot at alumni today
The Hawaii Rainbow baseball team begins its 2006 season with an exhibition game against the program's alumni today at Les Murakami Stadium.
UH Baseball vs. Alumni
When: Today, 1 p.m.
Where: Les Murakami Stadium
Radio/TV: None.
Tickets: $7 orange and blue sections; $6 red section; $5 seniors, and $3 students ages 4-18, UH students in the red section.
Parking: $3
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The game is being played after a one-year absence. The first pitch is set for 1 p.m.
"The NCAA said no alumni games and no exhibition games against foreign teams last year. They tabled that this year, but a permanent ban was discussed at the last NCAA meeting," said Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso.
Hawaii's 34-player roster includes 15 newcomers and three players -- pitchers Myles Ioane and Keahi Rawlins, and first-baseman/outfielder Steve Bralver -- who redshirted a year ago. Mark Rodrigues, a left-hander who was inactive in 2005 while recovering from Tommy John surgery, will start on the mound for the Rainbows today.
The new players include nine junior-college transfers and six freshmen.
"We will use as many players as possible. It is fun to play this game, especially with so many new guys," said Trapasso. "We need a dress rehearsal to make sure everyone knows the game-day routine."
Trapasso hopes the Rainbows have more fun than in the last alumni game.
"We only got three hits and got shut out," said Trapasso.
With 14 pitchers on his roster, Trapasso is willing to loan a couple to the alumni, who only have four signed up.
Alumni who have indicated they will play today include Eugene Myers, Randon Ho, Paul Ah Yat, Franz Yuen, Dean Hashimoto, Matt Apana, Tyler Cheff, Wade Toguchi, Trey Garman, Derek Honma and Ricky Bauer.
Also, Chad Uyehara, Todd Koishigawa, Kenny Harrison, Nate Thurber, Gregg Omori, John Matias, Tommy Heffernan, Howard Dashefsky, Ron Nomura, Danny Kimura, Creighton Kahoali'i, Darren Blakely and Wade Kochi are on the alumni roster.
The Rainbows open the regular season Wednesday with the first of four games against the San Diego State Aztecs.