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Sports Watch
EVERY year since 1994, I've been telling Les Murakami that I wish he wasn't playing in the Maui Open. Maui not so wowie
for MurakamiMind you, it's a fun tournament and I enjoy golfing with Coach Les and going with him to the 19th watering holes on Lower Main in Wailuku.
But the reason why I don't like to see Murakami at the Maui Open is simple: That means his University of Hawaii baseball Rainbows aren't at the NCAA Regionals because the two events conflict.
As much as our golf group enjoys Murakami's company, we know he'd rather be with his Rainbows trying to get to the College World Series.
Maybe 2000 -- Murakami's 30th season as UH's baseball coach -- is the year.
Sure, a forecast like that is premature, but his Rainbows look like they can be in the running for NCAA postseason play, judging by their 7-2 start in the Western Athletic Conference.
They're first in the WAC in team batting and fielding, and they've turned over the most double plays. Danny Kimura is the WAC leader in RBIs, while Kenn Wakakuwa (.389) and Jamie Aloy (.365) are third and fourth in hitting.
The new, slimmed-down WAC might be just the tonic to get the Rainbows resuming their winning ways.
THEY open a big three-game series at home against San Jose State this weekend. Even winning two-out-of-three-could go a long way since a tough stretch of WAC road games are coming up next month.
The 'Bows will play a three-game series at San Jose State, Rice and Texas Christian with only Fresno State at home.
Murakami, however, is optimistic about the road after taking two-out-of-three at Fresno State in addition to beating Cal-State Sacramento.
"It was a good trip. For one thing, we know we can win on the road," Murakami said. "We know we did it this time, we can do it the next time."
What's with his team's 12-2 turnaround after a 4-10 start?
"It was just a matter of getting people who were hurt back," said Murakami, referring to the return of Scooter Martines, Sean Takamori and Rory Pico.
That's the problem with people who criticize him, according to Murakami. "They don't see that. What do they expect?"
Now, it's a matter of his players -- especially his starting pitchers -- staying healthy for the rest of the season.
Aloy and Rich Snider have been impressive on the mound so far, and number-three starter Randon Ho has run into some hard luck.
"We just don't score runs for him," Murakami said. "In the last three games, we scored one, two and no runs. I told him he has to pitch shutouts."
MURAKAMI knows it's imperative to win the six-team WAC because it'll mean an automatic berth in the NCAA Regionals.
Would the NCAA extend an at-large spot to a second team from the WAC?
Murakami isn't holding his breath, based on his previous experiences with the NCAA.
"Last year we had 11 teams (in the WAC) and they picked only one," Murakami said. "They only picked Rice probably because of us (losing to TCU). We just couldn't beat TCU for some reason."
If TCU was Hawaii's nemesis last year, this season it could be UH-Hilo, playing its first year in the WAC. The Rainbows' final six games are against the Vulcans.
Next season, Nevada brings a good baseball program to the WAC. Louisiana Tech, which joins in 2001, is also tough.
"And I heard UTEP is planning to play baseball again," Murakami said.
Fine, Les. Just don't let me see you at the Maui Open.