Friday, February 8, 2002
Bryan Lee is not sure how the switch came about last summer, but he is comfortable with his new role as Hawaii's starting pitcher. Switch to pitching
pays dividends for LeeBy Al Chase
achase@starbulletin.comPrimarily a first baseman until his junior season at Mid-Pacific Institute, Lee began to get a taste of mound work when MPI coach Dunn Muramaru introduced him to the closer role.
"I liked it because I still got to play first base for more than half the game," said Lee.
The dual role continued his senior season, and he was recruited by Hawaii as a first baseman/pitcher. Lee concedes he was pretty much a thrower vs. being a pitcher when he came to UH. However, after fall practice his freshman year, the Rainbows coaches felt Lee's future was as a pitcher.
"They (Les Murakami and Carl Furutani) told me that I had so much more potential to be a pitcher than a position player, that I should concentrate on pitching," Lee said. "At first, I thought I would mind not hitting, but in the long run, it ended up being the best thing for me. Carl worked that year smoothing out my motion, making it more fluid."
Lee added the change-up to his fastball and slider last year and was the primary closer for the Rainbows. He posted a 6-2 record, had six saves and led the staff with a 2.97 earned run average. In his final 12 appearances, Lee had a 1.17 ERA.
When Hawaii Island Movers manager David Nakama was putting his staff together last summer, he decided to try Lee as a starting pitcher. The decision worked well for Nakama.
After new Rainbows coach Mike Trapasso put his coaching staff together, they held a three-day, get-to-know-you meeting before hitting the recruiting trail. They had the opportunity to watch Lee pitch a Movers game. By the end of fall practice this year, there was no question the 6-foot-1 junior's role would continue to be a starting pitcher.
Adjustments were necessary for Lee to make the switch successful. He discovered pacing himself was more important if he was going to last six, seven or more innings.
"Another thing was my preparation. I had to be in better shape to go out there and pitch for that amount of time. It's much more demanding being a starter," Lee said. "I worked on getting in better shape all fall and finally felt by the end of the semester that I was in good shape, but I'm still trying to improve."
There also has been some tinkering with Lee's mechanics.
"He was cross-firing, not getting to his release point consistently. He has made some adjustments. Every day he isn't pitching or throwing in the bullpen, we do form work," said UH pitching coach Chad Konishi.
"A lot of it was Coach Trapasso beating in to my head that I have to throw the ball down. I was pulling my glove hand to the side instead of keeping it out front," said Lee. "Another thing, my stride was a little off to the right. It caused my arm to be closed and the ball to go up. We're still working on that, but it is better."
In his start against Florida State, Lee only threw three pitches below 85 mph. His 79th pitch was 89 mph, and his last moments later was 88. The improved conditioning paid off as he threw 68 fastballs, and 46 were strikes.
He likes Trapasso's approach of forcing opposing batters to make contact within three pitches.
"It keeps the defense awake. They have to be on their toes for every pitch and I have to throw strikes," Lee said. "Before, if I had two strikes I would automatically think strikeout. But Coach wants us to think 0-3, just hit a spot and throw another strike."
Not being around to gain credit for the victory when the Rainbows rallied in the ninth to beat FSU didn't bother Lee, who said he isn't big on individual goals.
"It's more of a team goal, just go out and pitch as long as I can and give us a chance to win the game," he said.
When: Today and tomorrow, 6:35 p.m.; Sunday, 1:05 p.m. Gameday
Where: Murakami Stadium
TV: Sunday only, live, KFVE, Channel 5
Radio: All three games live, KCCN, 1420-AM
Internet: kccn1420am.com
Tickets: $6 Orange, Blue levels. $5 Red level. $4 seniors and children ages 4-18.
Parking: $3
Probable starting pitchers
HAWAII (1-3)
W-L ERA K RHP Bryan Lee (Jr.) 0-0 2.25 4 LHP Aaron Pribble (Sr.) 1-0 4.32 10 RHP Ricky Bauer (Fr.) 0-1 13.50 4
SACRAMENTO state (0-0)
2001 statistics W-L ERA K RHP Kevin Marzion (Sr.) Transfer from Alabama RHP Marshall Plouffe (So.) 3-1 4.64 41 RHP Chris Kinsey (Sr.) 1-4 7.39 26 Notes: The Rainbows and Hornets have played 44 games, with UH holding a 32-12 edge. ... The Hornets are beginning their season here for the second consecutive year. Last year, the Rainbows won the first two games, 8-7 and 5-1, with the Hornets taking the third game 11-8. Later in the season, UH beat Sacramento State 9-7 on the mainland. ... Coach John Smith is starting his 24th season with the Hornets. His career record is 675-615 (.523).
UH Athletics
