Hawaii Beat
Hawaii head baseball coach Les Murakami is one of six coaches who will be inducted into the American Baseball Coaches Association Hall of Fame in 2000. Murakami chosen to
baseball coaching
Hall of FameHe will join Stanford's Bill Alhouse, Jack Allen of Tarleton State (Texas), Jim Bowden of California State University-Stanislaus, John Fontana of Southington (Conn.) High School and Richard Rockwell of Le Moyne (N.Y.) College at ceremonies Jan. 7 at the ABCA convention at the Hyatt Regency Chicago.
Murakami has compiled a 1,042-536-4 record in 29 years as head coach. UH has won six Western Athletic Conference titles and played in the 1980 College World Series championship game under Murakami.
Star-Bulletin Apana returns to Italy
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinMatt Apana is on his way back to Italy.
After signing a contract earlier this week to play for the Sacramento Steelheads in the independent Western League, Apana decided the money was better overseas. So Apana voided his contract with the American team and left for Italy.
"I had a really good year there last year and the American pitcher they signed this year hasn't lasted more than three innings in three starts, so they kept calling," Apana said.
"Money-wise, it's better at my age," he added. "Who knows how much longer you are going to play?
"So, I decided to take the money and experience some other things."
Apana will receive several perks in Italy.
Besides getting an apartment, he will also receive a car, which is not the case in independent ball in this country.
After having shoulder surgery three years ago, Apana realizes he is considered a liability in the baseball world even though some American clubs showed interest this spring. The surgery also changed his thinking about the future, making him focus on what he'll do after baseball.
In half a season last year, Apana was 3-1 with Rimini of Italy. He walked 21 and fanned 57 with a 4.07 earned run average.
