Posted on: Thursday, May 12, 2005
Rainbows hoping 'bubble' doesn't burst
By Stephen Tsai
Advertiser Staff Writer
There's no rest for the worriers.
Not only are University of Hawai'i softball players stressing over final exams and their chances of qualifying for the postseason, but they also are scrambling to change travel plans and make housing arrangements.
"We're trying to take care of business," UH coach Bob Coolen said.
The NCAA will announce the postseason field of 64 teams during a national telecast Sunday afternoon. The thing is, UH's spring semester ends Friday, forcing many of the Mainland players to make new weekend plans. Coolen nixed a suggestion to allow the Mainland players to return early and, if the Rainbow Wahine were to receive a postseason bid, join their teammates next week.
Third baseman Kristi Yoshizawa, of Rancho Cordova, Calif., has a plane reservation for Saturday. She said the $100 fee to change the ticket is "definitely worth it" if the Rainbows receive a bid.
Coolen said he is hopeful his players will be allowed to remain in the on-campus apartments or dormitories through Monday.
He said the players will begin to receive per diem Saturday. He said most of the meal money will come from the savings from road trips.
"There's been a lot of support from the administration," Coolen said. "Everyone is gung ho about it."
Coolen said the Rainbows are on the "bubble" for one of the 64 berths. Twenty-eight spots are reserved for league champions. The Rainbows finished second in the Western Athletic Conference, which is rated 12th among 30 conferences and the independents.
In the National Fastpitch Coaches Association power index, UH is 67th (out of 269 Division I-A teams) and its strength-of-schedule ranking is 66th.
But Coolen said UH might be squeezed out by tournament upsets — in which low-seeded teams earn automatic berths, cluttering the pool of at-large teams — and the WAC's poor strength of schedule. Fresno State is 25th in the power ratings but 74th in schedule toughness. Four of the WAC teams have strength-of-schedule ratings between No. 117 and No. 172.
"When we have our coaches' meeting, we always ask our other team members to play a stronger schedule," Coolen said. "They always shy away. We're still (No.) 12 (as a conference) only because of the top heaviness of Fresno and ourselves."
Meanwhile, the Rainbows practiced Tuesday and yesterday. Coolen said there is a possibility pitcher Jessica Morton, who has missed games because of a broken thumb and concussion, will be available for the postseason.
Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com or 525-8051.
