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Wednesday, June 21, 2000

Movers’ roster loaded
with developing players

Schedule and roster

By Al Chase
Star-Bulletin

The Hawaii Island Movers begin their 15th season tomorrow with a 6 p.m. game against the West Oahu All-Stars at Rainbow Stadium.

They will compete in the Alaska Baseball League this summer after taking a sabbatical in 1999.

With 19 players who were college freshmen or sophomores and two high school players, Movers head coach Dave Nakama has a young team.

"We told the players they have to take the summer seriously. They have to be ready when fall practice starts at their school," Nakama said.

"Most of these players don't have a starting position on their college teams. What we want to do is make sure they are better players after this summer."

Nakama does get ideas from the respective college coaches about what their players should be working on during the summer.

"They may tell me they want a player to work at another position," Nakama said. "For instance, the UH coaches want Akaniao Kozeniewski to work at third base and second base, not just shortstop. Kainoa Obrey, a third baseman, also will play some first.

"Duke Sardinha is going to play second and third. But mainly the coaches are just looking for their kids to get more at-bats or pitch more innings. They want to see the kids play a good solid schedule."

The Alaska League provides excellent competition. Playing time will be readily available with a 37-game schedule plus the season-ending Hawaii International Baseball Championship Tournament the first week of August.

The toughest test comes during a 12-day stretch in Alaska when the Movers play 14 games.

"Alaska is going to be a grind. We have a couple of pitchers who have to stay here for summer school, so we may have to use a position player for an inning or two," Nakama said.

Right now, Nakama feels the team is close to being ready, but is still tentative as far as being in game shape.

"That's just because most of them haven't played in a month," Nakama said. "We've thrown a lot at them, but this is a good group and they'll be OK in the next few days."

Bronson Sardinha, who will be a senior at Kamehameha this fall, has been invited to try out for the USA Junior National Team in July. If he accepts the invitation, he won't make the Alaska trip.

Nakama is being assisted by former UH and pro catcher Keith Komeiji, pitching coach Sid Fernandez, a 15-year major league veteran, and Molokai High School head coach Ken Nakayama.

Island Movers schedule June 22: vs. West Oahu All-Stars, 6 p.m. June 23: vs. West Oahu All-Stars, 6 p.m. June 24: vs. Anchorage Bucs, 6 p.m. June 25: vs. Anchorage Bucs, 1 p.m. June 26: vs. Anchorage Bucs, 6 p.m. June 28: vs. Anchorage Bucs (2), 4 p.m. June 29: vs. Anchorage Bucs, 6 p.m. June30: vs. Anchorage Bucs, 4 p.m. July 1: at Anchorage Bucs July 2: at Anchorage Bucs July 3: at Mat-Su Miners July 4: at Mat-Su Miners July 5: at Mat-Su Miners July 7: at Alaska Goldpanners July 8: at Alaska Goldpanners July 9: at Alaska Goldpanners (2) July 10: at Alaska Goldpanners July 12: at Anchorage Bucs July 13: at Anchorage Bucs (2) July 12: at Mat-Su Miners July 16: vs. Peninsula Oilers (2), 2 p.m. July 17: vs. Peninsula Oilers, 6 p.m. July 18: vs. Peninsula Oilers, 6 p.m. July 19: vs. Peninsula Oilers, 6 p.m. July 20: vs. Peninsula Oilers, 6 p.m. July 21: vs. Peninsula Oilers, 4 p.m. July 27: vs. Oahu All-Stars, 6 p.m. July 28: vs. Oahu All-Stars, 6 p.m. July 29: vs. Oahu All-Stars, 6 p.m. July 31: vs. Aloha Knights (Ore.), 6 p.m. Aug. 1: vs. Aloha Knights (Ore.), 6 p.m. Aug. 3-6: Hawaii International Baseball Championship Tournament: with Hiroshima All-Stars, Kansai All-Stars, Korea, Aloha Knights (Ore.) and Hawaii Island Movers. Home games at Rainbow Stadium. ISLAND MOVERS ROSTER Pitchers: Brian Bannister, Southern Cal; Jim DeMartini, Santa Clara; Chad Giannetti, Hawaii; Bryan Lee, Hawaii; Dave Mallen, Santa Clara; Lanakila Niles, Washington State; Billy Rayl, Hawaii-Hilo; Ben Siff, Hawaii-Hilo; Marvin Wong, New Mexico; Adrian Contreras, New Mexico; Justin Cayetano, Laney College. Catchers: Jacob Flick, Hawaii; Apana Nakayama, Molokai High School; Kona Sampaio, L.A. Pierce College; Scott Tajima, New Mexico. Infielders: Chris Catanzaro, Virginia Military Institute; Simon Ferrer, Pepperdine; Akaniao Kozeniewski, Hawaii; Kainoa Obrey, Brigham Young; Duke Sardinha, Pepperdine; Bryce Uegawachi, Hawaii Pacific; Bronson Sardinha, Kamehameha; Kellen Briones, Southern Cal. Outfielders: Douglas Jackson, Brigham Young; Paki Lum, Southern Cal; Brian Rooke, Hawaii-Hilo.