UH baseball 'healthy' as workouts begin

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

There are 24 days to the University of Hawai'i baseball team's season opener against the fifth-ranked Texas Longhorns and this much is known:

• Sophomore right-handed pitcher Keahi Rawlins did not require surgery on his throwing elbow. He has been long-tossing without any pain for the past three weeks.

• Rainbows' third-year coach Mike Trapasso, who signed a three-year contract when hired before the 2002 season, said he is still in discussion with athletic director Herman Frazier on an extension, but would not elaborate.

  "It hasn't affected recruiting," Trapasso said. "It has been all positive because most of the recruits we brought in, we have them sit down and meet with Herman anyway and Herman tells them we're working on a contract extension."

• ESPN baseball analyst Peter Gammons will be the guest speaker at the second annual Grand Slam Celebration on Jan. 16 at the Stan Sheriff Center. The event is the baseball program's annual fund-raiser, which netted $60,000 last year, Trapasso said.

Trapasso's connection with Gammons dates to when the coach was an assistant at Georgia Tech. He said Gammons once spoke at a Tech banquet.

The Rainbows, coming off a 30-25 season, begin practice tomorrow for the 2004 season. They play a three-game series against 2002 national champion Texas Jan. 30-Feb. 1. The Longhorns (50-20) made their NCAA-record 30th College World Series appearance last season.

For the first time in some time, a UH game will fall on Super Bowl Sunday (Feb. 1). Trapasso said the Longhorns could only appear on those particular dates. He said the Sunday game will be moved back to 4:35 p.m., instead of the usual 1:05 p.m. start. In previous seasons, UH has avoided playing on Super Bowl and Pro Bowl Sundays because they affected attendance. The Rainbows complete a three-game series with Cal State-Northridge Feb. 8, the day of the Pro Bowl.

Meanwhile, the Rainbows will enter workouts injury-free.

"As of right now, we're healthy," Trapasso said.

It wasn't that way in fall practice. Rawlins was one of a number of pitchers rested. It was feared he had torn a ligament in his throwing elbow. A second opinion was sought and Rawlins was told to rest his elbow.

"Dr. Darryl Kan looked at him and wasn't convinced there was a tear per se, looking at the MRI, (and) doing the physical exam," Trapasso said. "He gave him some significant rehab exercise. He's been pain-free for three weeks, long-tossing and playing catch.

"We're going to take it slow. We're going to be conservative with him until he'll be able to go full speed."

Rawlins was 5-5 with a 4.27 earned run average in 16 appearances, 11 of them starts.

Sophomore right-hander Guy McDowell also was rested because of a tender elbow, Trapasso said. McDowell (1-0, 3.92, two saves) was one of the Rainbows more reliable relief pitchers last season.

Incoming freshman right-hander Steven Wright, a 26th-round pick of the San Diego Padres, also had his fall workouts cut short, though not due to injury. Trapasso said Wright threw a lot of innings in high school and during summer ball.

"He has the capability as a freshman of being someone who can pitch in our rotation and be very productive," Trapasso said.

Junior right-hander Ricky Bauer (3-5, 3.12), the team's most consistent and effective pitcher in the second half of last season, played in the Cape Cod League in the summer.

"I've never sent anyone to the Cape Cod League where they didn't come back better, whether or not they had great numbers or terrible numbers," Trapasso said. "They always come back better because of the competition and the intensity level they play with. We're looking to him to pick up where he left off last year."

Bauer, along with senior first baseman Andrew Sansaver, were selected as captains by their teammates, Trapasso said.

Around the horn: The UH Baseball Grand Slam Celebration is 5:30 p.m., Jan. 16 at the Stan Sheriff Center. Heavy pupu and beverages will be provided by a number of restaurants and concessionaires. The program also includes a silent auction for trips and baseball memorabilia. Cost is $69 per person, of which $26 is tax deductible. Table sponsorship for eight people is $750 ($406 tax deductible). Each table sponsor will have two UH players with them. For information, call 956-6247.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8042.