Thursday, July 15, 1999
Omori’s transfer to
By Al Chase
Hawaii hits snag
Star-BulletinGregg Omori wants to continue his collegiate baseball career with the Hawaii Rainbows, but when he'll be able to do that is the big question.
University of San Francisco officials have declined to give Omori his release.
Until that happens, Rainbow coaches can't even talk to Omori.
A member of Iolani's 1996 and 1997 state championship teams, Omori signed a letter of intent to play for the Dons. An infielder who can play first, second or third base, he had a sensational freshman season, hitting .392 with 12 home runs and 57 runs batted in.
He was named to the Louisville Slugger's Freshman All-America Team.
Yet, he considered transferring back to Hawaii then.
"The coaches offered me more scholarship money, so to help my parents financially, I went back up there," Omori said.
The sticking point wasn't the USF baseball program. It was San Francisco, especially the area around the USF campus.
"I didn't care for that area of San Francisco. The city is congested and it's a fast-paced life," said Omori.
Despite another solid season (.326 batting average, eight homers and 45 RBIs), the City by the Bay wasn't for Omori. He told his coaches toward the end of the season he wasn't coming back. After starting the first 51 games, he sat on the bench for the final six.
"The coaches were kind of upset. They said I was deserting the program and had left them out hanging on a limb. That's why they didn't give me a release," Omori said. "But I didn't think like that. At that point, I wanted to do what was best for me.
"I have nothing against the (baseball) program, I think it's good. The school is good. It's just that area of San Francisco."
Omori and his parents are trying to appeal the decision with USF athletic director Bill Hogan and head baseball coach Nino Giarratano, but that process is in limbo.
"They're telling us we have to fly up there and be there in person (to appeal), but we're asking if we can just write a letter," Omori said. "We have until the middle of August and I'm still hoping."
Omori completed his sophomore year at USF in good academic standing. He has been accepted at UH and is attending summer school to try and make up the USF credits that UH declined to accept.
He is in his second season with the Hawaii Island Movers. If USF holds fast and doesn't give him a release, then he will redshirt.
"I'll train and hopefully I can practice with the team, but if I have to redshirt this coming year, that's what I'll do," Omori said.
