60-70 former Rainbows expected at alumni game
By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer
Pitchers Paul Ah Yat, Jeff Coleman, Mark Johnson and Rich Snider — all of whom are playing or had played professionally in recent years — are some of the 60 to 70 players anticipated to attend the University of Hawai'i baseball's annual alumni game.
The game between the 2002 varsity, under new coach Mike Trapasso, and the alumni is 1 p.m. Saturday at Les Murakami Stadium. Unlike last year's doubleheader, only a single, nine-inning game will be played.
Ah Yat (1994-96), who played last season at single-A San Jose, said yesterday he was released Monday from the Giants organization. He began contacting other clubs yesterday.
"I don't see a problem," he said.
Coleman, ('01) the Rainbows' top pitcher a year ago, signed with the Oakland Athletics, who drafted him in the 21st round last June. This was supposed to be his senior year.
Johnson and Snider were in the Tigers and Athletics organizations, respectively.
Also expected to play are Patrick Scalabrini, John Matias and Kenny Harrison.
Last year's coaching staff of Carl Furutani, Dave Murakami and Les Nakama will coach the alumni team.
• Captains named: Returnee Scooter Martines and newcomer Brent Cook were named captains of the UH varsity team.
Players and coaches voted for the captains, Trapasso said.
Cook, a junior third baseman, transferred from California seeking a change. He played on a Bay Area summer league team with UH outfielder Chad Boudon and pitcher Aaron Pribble, and spoke with UH assistant Chad Konishi, a Cal alumnus, when he inquired about transferring.
"I was fortunate enough to be in a good situation with a good bunch of guys, a good coaching staff," Cook said. "I'm pretty excited. It's a pretty good honor, pretty proud of it."
This is Martines' second stint as captain. He was voted captain last year, but did not play because of a shoulder injury; being idle allowed him to play his fourth season in five years this season.
"It's an honor," said the left fielder/designated hitter Martines from Punahou School. "Especially with a new staff this year. I just look forward to it. This is my last year and have really nothing to lose, so I'll just go out and play hard and, hopefully, can lead by example. If I'm not playing, hopefully, I can be a good cheerleader on the bench."
Last year was frustrating for someone who played as if each game was a World Series.
"Being of a competitive nature, you never want to be sitting on the sideline, watching the competition going on," Martines said. "You always want to be out there. So, yeah, it was hard last year. But this is a new year. That was the past. I'm just looking forward to helping the team in any way I can."
After transferring from Texas Tech after his freshman year, Martines batted .355 with 46 RBIs in his first year with the Rainbows. The shoulder injury hampered his performance his junior year, when he batted .280 with 17 RBIs.
