Posted on: Tuesday, August 7, 2001

Former Rainbow catches on at UH

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

University of Hawai'i baseball coach Mike Trapasso completed his coaching staff by adding former Rainbow Keith Komeiji as volunteer coach.

Komeiji, a catcher for UH in 1982, joins full-time assistants Josh Sorge and Chad Konishi. Sorge, 28, was an assistant at Georgia Tech and Konishi, 30, was an assistant at San Francisco.

"The only thing that mattered was that I was going on the field and coach," Komeiji said. "It didn't matter to me if it was part time or full time, I just wanted to get out on the field."

Komeiji, 38, works in freight sales for Japan Airlines.

Komeiji served as an assistant coach at Iolani School the past seven years. He also conducted clinics for youths in the summer.

"We produced a lot of good kids out of this school," Komeiji said of Iolani.

The 1981 Kaiser High graduate played for the Rainbows in 1982 then transferred to Orange Coast (Calif.) College the following year.

Komeiji signed with the Seattle Mariners, who selected him in the first round in the winter phase of the 1983 draft.

Komeiji played seven years in the Mariners' organization, and reached Triple-A for a short time. He also played two seasons in Italy.

"It was a good experience," Komeiji said of his pro career. "I know a little bit of what it takes to get to the next level."

The only thing he can't do is recruit, which isn't allowed for volunteer coaches under NCAA rules.

"We're fortunate to have him on the field," Trapasso said. "His job gives him the flexibility to be on the field and travel with us. He'll be a great addition to help supplement what we do on and off the field."

Meanwhile, Trapasso still needs a director of baseball operations. He said he will probably have it filled by mid-September.

The Rainbows open their 2002 season Jan. 30 against Florida State.