GEORGE F. LEE / GLEE@STARBULLETIN.COM Hawaii's Tim Montgomery, who was congratulated by a teammate after a homer earlier this month, leads the team in RBIs.

Confidence the key
for UH’s Montgomery

The Rainbow outfielder has made
huge strides at the plate this season

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By Cindy Luis
cluis@starbulletin.com

Maybe he's seeing the ball better.

Maybe he's seeing the hard work during summer league and fall ball pay off.

And maybe, just maybe, Tim Montgomery is seeing himself as the confident hitter who is supposed to go with the confidence he already has in the outfield.

All the Hawaii junior center fielder knows is:

>> His batting average is up nearly 100 points from last year to .333;

>> He's already hit as many home runs (4) this season as he has in his previous two years combined;

>> And he's much more comfortable with the bat in his hands and his teammates on base, as evidenced by his team-leading 17 RBI.

"Actually, everyone on the team put in a lot of work in the fall and it's paying off now," said Montgomery. "I'm seeing the ball better, but I'm also getting better swings off. I made a few adjustments, not so much in my swing, but in getting into the loaded position and having better pitch recognition.

Hawaii vs. Rice When: Today, 6:35 p.m., and tomorrow, 1:05 p.m. Where: Murakami Stadium TV: Live, KFVE, Channel 5 Radio: Live, KKEA, 1420-AM

"I still need work on bunting. I do fine with the whiffle ball (in practice), but come game time it's a different story. I'll just keep plugging away until I'm a good bunter."

That's the attitude he's been bringing to Murakami Stadium this season. Montgomery knows where he wants to go -- to the big leagues -- and that hard work will get him a shot. A decent season this year could lead to being drafted on June 3, a day after his 21st birthday. Or the realization that he might need another year of playing college ball before taking the next step.

"To be drafted, to have the opportunity, would be an honor," said Montgomery. "I'd like to try and pursue it if that's the way things go, but there are a combination of things that will determine what's best.

"I'm just concentrating on winning games this season. It's a long road for sure to get to the next level. To get the opportunity, to get the chance is all you can ask for."

Montgomery wasn't drafted out of Eastlake High in Redmond, Wash. He signed early with Hawaii with then-coach Les Murakami, and also had talks with some scouts after a good senior season.

"I strongly considered it until about a week before the draft," he said. "But I told them I wasn't going to sign. I have no regrets about coming here.

"Last year was tough (16-40). We started to get down and then it started to snowball. Right now, everyone has a lot of confidence and is having fun. When you get a little success, you get a little confidence going and it builds.

"I think we're capable of being a regional team."

The Rainbows (12-5, 1-2) have a chance to test Montgomery's theory beginning with tonight's game against Rice. The Owls (16-1, 3-0) are ranked anywhere from No. 1 to No. 5 in the various national polls.

"If you can't get fired up to play the No. 1 team in the nation then you've got some problems," said Montgomery. "It will be a challenge and I think they're beatable. We're not going to just lie down for them. It's a good test for us."

Montgomery has passed UH coach Mike Trapasso's test in the outfield, where the junior has moved permanently to center from right. Montgomery said he prefers the middle, commanding the outfield and seeing the game develop.

"He's got a great feel for the outfield," Trapasso said. "That part of his game has never slumped. Everyone knows he's a tools guy, he can run, he can throw.

"But he's always been a 'potential' guy, one with projectability. The problem is that the word 'projectability' also has the word 'project' in it. But he has made great strides since last year. The success he had this summer, the confidence thing, you can just see it in the way he carries himself now. He's a very cerebral kid and getting him to believe in himself is half the battle."

Both Trapasso and Montgomery credit Ed Cheff, coach of Montgomery's Alaska Summer League team, in helping with his confidence. Cheff is the long-time coach of Lewis-Clark State, winner of 12 NAIA titles, and the father of former Rainbow catcher Tyler Cheff.

"I built up a lot of confidence up there," said Montgomery. "Coach Cheff motivates you to succeed. He doesn't deal with losses or failures very well. He made sure you worked hard."

Montgomery has chosen the theme from "Magnum, P.I." as his intro music when he comes to the plate.

"I'm a Tom Selleck fan," Montgomery said of the Magnum star. "I hoped the fans would appreciate it. I liked his movies, but it's more about having a local connection."

Making the connection is what this season is all about, whether it's between hard work and success, or the ball with his bat.

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UH Athletics