Rainbows open season against Seminoles
By Ferd Lewis
Advertiser Staff Writer
Look closely at the team in the visiting dugout at newly christened Les Murakami Stadium tonight, the one in garnet and gold uniforms with "Florida State" emblazoned across the front.
Not only are the No. 2-ranked Seminoles the season-opening opponents in the University of Hawai'i's first game under Mike Trapasso, they are also the model for what Trapasso hopes his program will someday come to resemble.
UH baseball
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WHAT: Collegiate baseball game
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WHO: No. 2 Florida State vs. Hawai'i
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WHEN: Tonight at 6:35.
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WHERE: Les Murakami Stadium.
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TV: K5.
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RADIO: KCCN 1420 AM.
"This is the program I would prefer to start against over any other program (because) it is a school that does things the way that I would like us to emulate," Trapasso said. "I would love for us to emulate the way Florida State plays the game, the way Mike Martin coaches and prepares his team."
Seven seasons spent as an assistant at Georgia Tech, observing and competing against Florida State in the Atlantic Coast Conference, have given Trapasso an up-close familiarity and steadfast appreciation for the Seminoles' approach.
For sure there is a lot to be impressed with. The Seminoles have appeared in the NCAA Tournament all 22 years under Martin, including three trips to the College World Series in the past four seasons.
It isn't only that the Seminoles win — they are 1,179-402-3 under Martin — but it is in how they do it.
"We share the same philosophy about winning with defense, pitching, aggressive base running; that you don't strike out and, as a hitter, you work the pitchers," Trapasso said. "(It is) the belief that you can win, that you're never thinking you're out of a game."
It is a philosophy that is well suited to expansive Murakami Stadium, but Trapasso says he probably would have taken it wherever he had gone. "It is something I believe in about the way to build a baseball team," he says.
Nearly seven months after he was offered the job at UH, Trapasso and the Rainbows finally get down to business. Game time is 6:35 p.m.
"We've spent the time productively and it was time we definitely needed to get ourselves organized and see what we have," Trapasso said. "But now it is time to play. It is why we are here and why our kids come here. Win or lose, good or bad, it is time to throw the balls and bats out there and see what happens."
SHORT HOPS: Ceremonies to officially name the former Rainbow Stadium after Les Murakami are scheduled to begin at 5:55 p.m. Murakami is among the scheduled speakers. ... UH President Evan Dobelle will throw out the first pitch. ... The Seminoles are 3-0 after sweeping UH-Hilo. Their game against Hawai'i Pacific yesterday was rained out. ... Bryan Lee will start for the Rainbows, opposed by Blair Varnes. Lee was 6-2 last season with all 24 of his appearances coming in relief. Varnes was 9-1 in 2001. ... The first 1,000 fans through the gates tonight will receive UH schedule posters autographed by coach Mike Trapasso. ... The four-game series continues with single games tomorrow at 6:35 p.m., Friday at 6:35 p.m. and Saturday at 12:05 p.m.
