’Bows plan summer ball
The majority of the Hawaii Rainbows returning next year will spend the summer playing baseball in cities and towns from here to Alaska to Massachusetts.
The Alaska Baseball League will have three and perhaps four 'Bows hitting and pitching in the 49th state.
Brian Finegan will play shortstop for the Peninsula Oilers, who operate out of Kenai. Catcher/outfielder Matt Inouye is on the roster of the Mat-Su Miners, who are located in Palmer. Right-hander Keahi Rawlins joins the mound staff of the Anchorage Bucs.
Should center fielder Tim Montgomery, whom Hawaii coach Mike Trapasso expects will be drafted, not be selected or not sign a pro contact, he would return for a second season under Ed Cheff, the Lewis-Clark State coach, who is in charge of the Alaska Goldpanners, the northern-most franchise, located in Fairbanks.
The California Coastal League will be home for the summer for five UH players.
Californians Rocky Russo, a third baseman, and first baseman Andrew Sansaver are set to play for the Salinas Packers, while right-hander Nick Ponomarenko will be with the San Luis Obispo Blues.
Second baseman Isaac Omura will get his first taste of summer ball on the mainland with the Santa Barbara Forresters. Reid Horton, a right-hander, will sharpen his skills with the Santa Maria (Calif.) Indians.
At this time, the only Rainbow staying home to play for the Hawaii Island Movers is right-hander Rich Olsen.
Reliever Clary Carlsen, who lives in Poulsbo, Wash., will take his right-handed offerings to the Seattle Studs in the Pacific International League.
Steve Bell-Irving, who comes from Burnaby, British Columbia, will travel south and east a bit to play for the Wenatchee (Wash.) Apple Sox, also in the PIL.
The third Rainbow in the PIL is infielder Schafer Magana, who is with the Yakima (Wash.) Paladin Knights.
Another four 'Bows will bypass the West Coast and head inland for summer competition.
Right-hander Guy McDowell will pitch for the El Dorado (Wichita, Kan.) Broncos in the Jayhawk League.
Jaziel Mendoza also will be in the Midwest, playing outfield for the Lima (Ohio) Locos of the Great Lakes League. Right-hander Ricky Bauer earns the most airline miles for his trip to Massachusetts to play for the Brewster Whitecaps in the Cape Cod League.
Right fielder Josh Green was headed to Alaska, but will have foot surgery and take the summer off.
