Movers set to
face West Oahu
in openerSchedule and roster
The Hawaii Island Movers begin their 20th season tomorrow with a 6 p.m. game against the West Oahu All-Stars at Murakami Stadium.
The 31-man roster includes 21 baseball players with Hawaii connections. Coach Richard Olsen admits that is a big group and there were even more players interested in working on their games this summer.
"We don't get involved with too many changes since they come from different programs. What we want to do is enhance their skills," Olsen said.
"We want to give them playing time they might not have gotten this past season. They need to get at-bats and innings."
Nate Thurber of the University of Hawaii has a definite plan for the summer.
"I'll be working on my hitting mechanics. I've go to. I came in here and wanted to help the Rainbows, but I didn't," Thurber said. "Maybe I helped a little, but it was disappointing to drop from No. 4 to No. 8 in the lineup. It (next spring) is my last year and I have to make a run for it."
Another player, left-handed pitcher Daniel Vitro, is hoping this summer turns out to be a second chance.
The Saint Louis School graduate was with the Rainbows in fall practice two years ago, but needed surgery to remove bone spurs in his left arm during the winter. He took last year off while continuing his education.
"I've been working out and my arm is in great shape," Vitro said. "My velocity is back up to 87, 88 mph. I've been waiting for this chance for a long time."
The Movers take Mondays off. They practice Tuesdays and Wednesdays, when each player can work on specific things. They play on Thursdays, Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays.
They will leave for a 10-game, 14-day trip to South Korea and Japan on July 29. Beside the games, Olsen said the players will participate in group "talk story" sessions with students from Japan and other Far East countries.
"Our program is an educational experience in life that goes far beyond the baseball field," said Don Takaki, chairman of Island Movers.
"We expose them to cultures outside Hawaii, help develop their communication skills, build their self-confidence and teach them to accept responsibility for how their actions and influence can improve the lives around them."
Individual game tickets cost $3. A season ticket is available for $50.
For more information, call 832-4805.
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Island Movers
Schedule and roster for the summer baseball team:
Schedule
Tomorrow, Thurs.: West Oahu All-StarsFri.-Sun.: Oahu All-Stars
June 29-July 12: 10-game trip to South Korea and Japan
July 15-17: Oahu All-Stars
July 22-25: Santa Clara (Calif.) Red Sox
July 29-Aug. 1: Tournament (vs. Sapporo, Osaka Gakuin U., and San Mateo)
Aug. 5-8: Tournament (vs. Hiroshima Big Six U. All-Stars, Kansai U. All-Stars, Oahu All-Stars)
Roster
Catchers: Aaron Markel (UCLA), Jowen Murray-Thornton (Saint Louis), Kristopher Watts (Ohlone).Infielders: Luis Avila (Eastern Oklahoma State), Steve Bralver (UH recruit, also plays first base), Ivan Fujii (Roosevelt), Kyle Galdeira (HPU, Kamehameha), Michael Garcia (Navy, Kalaheo), Chad Itokazu (New Mexico, Pearl City), Dane Marcouiller (Cuesta JC, Mid-Pacific), Keoni Ruth (UC San Diego, Kamehameha), Kyle Smith (San Diego H.S.).
Outfielders: Ryan Asato (Mid-Pacific, UH recruit), Andrew Castillo (UH), D.J. Hollingsworth (Chabot), Dean Miramontes (UC Irvine), Herman Reddick III (UC Irvine), Nate Thurber (UH), Mark Veneri (UHH, Punahou).
Pitchers: Andy Claerr (Wayne State), Matthew Hanson (Davidson), Isaac Kamai (UH, Kamehameha), Shaun Kiriu (Punahou, also plays infield), Ikaika Lester (Lewis-Clark State, Molokai, also plays outfield), Chris Loo (Pacific, Iolani, also plays outfield), Tyler McCready (Sierra JC, Iolani), Marc Nobriga (Hartwell, Saint Louis), Spencer Omalza (HPU, Leilehua), Jeffrey Soulages (Ohlone), Kanekoa Texeira (Saddleback, Kamehameha), Daniel Vitro (UH, Saint Louis).
Note: Two pitchers from Osaka Gakuin U., Mitsuhiro Okada and Yasuhiro Seo, will join the Movers in Japan for the rest of the summer.
Coaches: Richard Olsen (head coach), Les Loo, Scott Murray, Garett Yukumoto, Randy Yamashiro.