Advertisement - Click to support our sponsors.

Hawaii Beat

By Star-Bulletin Staff

Tuesday, May 23, 2000

Ford signs with Orioles

University of Hawaii-Hilo pitcher Thomas Ford signed a free agent contract with the Baltimore Orioles yesterday, Vulcans head baseball coach Joey Estrella said.

The four-year starter from Santa Rosa, Calif., will receive a small signing bonus. He reports to extended spring training in Sarasota, Fla., before an assignment to rookie ball with the Bluefield Orioles in West Virginia.

Ford, who graduated this past semester with a degree in communications, led the Vulcans this season with a 5-6 record. He had 86 strikeouts and a 2.71 ERA.

He was the only Vulcan pitcher to record two complete-game wins in the same series when he defeated Tennessee, 4-0 and 3-1, in February.

Masaoka returns to minors

The Los Angeles Dodgers activated left-handed pitcher Trever Miller yesterday and optioned left-handed pitcher Onan Masaoka to Triple-A Albuquerque.

Masaoka, a former Waiakea High School standout, had been recalled May 10. He made just one appearance before being sent back.

"He (Masaoka) has such a high ceiling, and he needs to get back to where he was last year," manager Davey Johnson said. "With his velocity, he's not using his legs and getting the maximum out of his fastball, and his control is not exactly what you want it to be."

Fetters ready

Injured Dodgers reliever Mike Fetters, a former Iolani High School standout, threw 50 pitches in a bullpen session Sunday and said he's ready to return.

He missed the past two weeks with a sore elbow,

"I'm ready when they're ready for me," Fetters said.

UH signs two recruits

University of Hawaii head baseball coach Les Murakami announced two signings yesterday to bring the total number to five this season.

Outfielder Arthur Guillen enters UH in the fall as a sophomore after playing one season at Porterville (Calif.) College.

The Rainbows also signed their only pitcher in this recruiting class. Jeff Coleman is from Mt. San Antonio (Calif.) College where he was a two-time South Coast Conference selection.

Coleman went 7-4 last year with an 2.79 ERA. He had 13 appearances, striking out 58 in 77-1/3 innings. Coleman is a graduate of San Dimas (Calif.) High School.

Garcia wins heat in Fiji

Oahu's Sunny Garcia, the Association of Surfing Professionals World Championship Tour ratings leader, furthered his world title campaign yesterday by winning his first round heat in the Quiksilver Pro Fiji 2000.

The Hawaii surfer was in top form during his 30-minute bout against Australian Beau Emerton and Fiji's Matia Wonga.

Oahu's Ross Williams and the Big Island's Shane Dorian also advanced yesterday.

Bowl renewals in mail

Annual ticket renewals for the 2001 Rivals.com Hula Bowl Maui Senior All-Star Football Classic were mailed Saturday to more than 9,500 ticket holders. Ticket prices for the Jan. 20 game remain the same. The renewal deadline is July 30.

Ticket manager Jessica Tawney can be reached from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m. daily on Maui at 808-871-4141.