Aloha Ball

As everyone should know, there is no major sports franchise in my home state of Hawai'i, so I grew up idolizing the stars of our college teams instead.  I watched nearly every football and basketball game and even attended a few, but I have never been closer to any team since the day I was born than the University of Hawai'i baseball team, so it makes me proud to announce that they will be playing in their first NCAA regional game in 13 years this Friday in Corvallis, Oregon.

I know this site is all about the bigs, but growing up on Oahu, the "Bows" were our big leaguers.  And a few of them even did make it to the majors. 

I've gone to more Rainbow baseball games in person than to any other team in any sport.  I spent many a day outside the opposing teams dugout watching the first few innings for free until they unlocked the exits, getting into some very enlightening conversations with the likes of UCLA's Tim DeCinces (son of former Angel Doug) and a heated exchange with former Clemson Tiger and Seattle Mariner, Shane Monahan.  I chased after thousands of foul balls and homers and ate many a plate lunch.  (The Hawaiian equivalent of a Dodger Dog)  I witnessed a couple of no-hitters, countless ejections and a healthy handfull of future big leaguers.  So you can see why I'm so excited by this most recent development.

We owe a lot to Mike Trapasso.  After hall of fame coach Les Murakami, who our home stadium is now named after, retired a few years ago, the team went through some very rough years.  Then one fine day Trapasso, who I believe was in line for the coaching job at then powerhouse Georgia Tech (they may still be a powerhouse now, but oddly enough other than Hawaii, I never paid much attention to the rest of college hardball, but I digress) decided for some reason instead to rebuild the suddenly lowly Hawai'i program.  He traveled a long way for not a whole lot of money and slowly has helped resurrect a program that really deserved to return to its glory days.

Now we've cracked the top 25 and are getting the ultimate shot that might turn around our program for good.  We've already made great strides.  Now watch out for our football team.  They're going to be good this year.  Remember the name of our QB.  Colt Brennan.  Special kid.

One of the most frustrating things about growing up in the islands is that our teams play so late in the day that they get little broadcast time or fanfare.  Every time I try to tell someone about the prospects of one of our teams, I get skeptical responses.  I'm a very realistic person.  I won't tell you my team has a chance to be good if I don't believe they do.  I do a lot of research.  I can't make guarantees, but if I feel like they have a chance to make waves, I will tell you.

I just never understood why someone would question something I was telling them based almost solely on their own ignorance.  I honestly haven't met anybody other than people in Hawai'i or former residents who know anything about our teams or players, but they are very quick to judge, which always drives me nuts.

That makes this even more special.  Even though college baseball isn't very popular, they can't take away the fact that our little team in the middle of the Pacific is now on a grand stage, and who knows?  With a little bit of luck, they may be on the grandest one in no time.  CWS, here we come!  (maybe)

Of course, there are a few links from the big leagues to the Hawaiian Islands.  Sid Fernandez, anyone?

Here are a few more you may or may not have known about:

Mets fans will never forget Sid and a lot of them haven't forgotten Benny Agbayani yet either, after he helped propel them to the World Series a few years back, before losing to the Yankees.

There's something about Ron Darling, who appeared in the Farrely Brothers movie "Shallow Hal", and who was born in the islands.

Former long-time hurler Charlie Hough was born there as was Joey Meyer, who slugged a few homers for the Brewers before fading into oblivion.  Meyer played along side Glenn Braggs for a couple years who played for the University of Hawaii before playing for Milwaukee and Cincinnati in the majors.

Former Oriole Lenn Sakata started it all on Oahu as did current stellar slugger for the Reds triple A team, Dane Sardinha, who has had a few cups of coffee with the big league club and may get some more if he keeps his minor league success going.

Maui's Shane Victorino filled in admirably for Aaron "Bam Bam" Rowand while he was out and the Phillies are having a hard time keeping him out of the lineup even since Rowand's return.  A pitcher from Maui, Tyler Yates, is still bouncing around in the majors as we speak.

Brandon Villafuerte first played ball on the Big Island before entering the Big Leagues.  He held down the closing job in San Diego for a short time a few years ago while Trevor Hoffman was recuperating.

Current hurlers Jerome Williams, Scott Feldman and Justin Wayne are from Oahu, and these former pitchers:  Scott Karl (Brewers, Rockies), Chuck Crim (Brewers--they love Hawai'i) and former Cub Mike Morgan all starred at the University of Hawai'i before turning pro.

Current University of Hawai'i player Steven Wright was drafted by the San Diego Padres but decided to attend UH anyway.  He was recently named the WAC Pitcher of the Year.  I'm keeping a close eye on this guy.

Former Astro Chris Truby attended school while living in Hawai'i as a child.

One of our potential problem solvers a few years back decided to turn pro instead of attending the University of Hawai'i.  You may have heard of him.  C.C. Sabathia.  Ouch.  We could've used that guy.

And last but not least, a current slugger with a pretty big name played for the Hawai'i Islanders, who used to be a Triple A affiliate in Honolulu until folding when I was a child.  His name is Barry Bonds.

So next time someone tells you about a team you don't know about or a player you've never heard of, I don't expect you to do backflips, but I don't think it's too much to ask for you to simply listen.  I know you don't hear about it much, but there's a lot of exciting competition going on in my home state year round, and I have a feeling that very soon, you will become all to familiar with it.  The next 5-10 years are going to be an exciting time for University of Hawai'i athletics.  Just watch.  Or listen.