Konishi joins Rainbow baseball
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
Chad Konishi, who grew up as a baseball fan around Rainbow Stadium, is returning as the University of Hawai'i's pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.
Advertiser library photo
Konishi, 30, a Punahou School graduate and University of San Francisco assistant the past six seasons, completes new head coach Mike Trapasso's full-time coaching hires.
Chad Konishi, a Punahou graduate, is UH baseball's new pitching coach and recruiting coordinator.
With the addition last week of batting coach Josh Sorge, the three positions — head coach, and two full-time assistants — allowed by the NCAA to recruit have been filled.
"Now, we have to roll up our sleeves and get to work," Trapasso said.
Trapasso said he will add a director of baseball operations and a volunteer coach, although they might not be selected until August.
The two assistant positions are believed to pay about $40,000 each.
Konishi, who was raised in East Honolulu, said: "I grew up around Rainbow baseball, running around Rainbow Stadium. I remember going to the old stadium and watching Derek Tatsuno, Ron Nomura, Vern Ramie, and later Joey Meyer. That's why I'm very flattered to be offered the position. Growing up in Hawai'i, being part of the Rainbows has always been like a dream.
"I want to be part of that tradition; to help put UH baseball back on the map. We believe, as a staff, it can be a top-25 program again."
Trapasso said, "Chad gives us instant credibility and presence in recruiting on the West Coast and locally."
Konishi was an all-state pitcher at Punahou and played four seasons at Cal Berkeley. He played in the 1992 College World Series and was Cal's most inspirational player and team captain in 1993.
He served as a graduate assistant coach at Cal and spent one year as an assistant at City College of San Francisco before going to USF.
Trapasso said Sorge will be the hitting coach and work with catchers. Trapasso, who had been a pitching coach at Georgia Tech, will work with infielders and outfielders. "On pitching, Chad and I have a lot of the same philosophy," Trapasso said.
CORRECTION: Due to an error by an online designer, a wrong picture appeared in an earlier posting of this story.
