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The Honolulu Advertiser
Posted on: Friday, September 26, 2008

Former Hawaii recruit returns as CaneFire

By Stacy Kaneshiro
Advertiser Staff Writer

Hawaii news photo - The Honolulu Advertiser

Greg Burns

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WAIPAHU — Greg Burns finally made it to Hawai'i.

But it comes five years after the University of Hawai'i had recruited the left-handed hitting and throwing outfielder.

The 21-year-old from Riverside, Calif., is here to polish his skills with the West Oahu CaneFires of Hawaii Winter Baseball. He just completed his fifth season of pro ball in the Florida Marlins organization, which made him its third-round pick in 2004. The previous fall, he had signed a letter of intent to play for the Rainbows.

"I thought it was kind of funny because of that fact that I was supposed to go to school here and now I'm out here playing winter ball," Burns said after the team's first workout yesterday at Hans L'Orange Park. "So I kind of laughed when I told my mom. She started laughing about it, too."

He said it was a tough deciding between school and turning pro. But as the 98th overall selection that year, he signed for $395,000. When he made his decision, he told UH coach Mike Trapasso and then assistant Brian Green.

"They said they understand and wished me luck," Burns said.

But it isn't as if Burns has spurned education. He said he has been taking courses during the offseason at Riverside JC.

Burns spent the past season with the High-A Jupiter Hammerheads of the Florida State League. He batted .244 with 12 doubles, five triples, three home runs, 55 runs, 28 RBI and 34 steals. The Marlins told him about a week-and-a-half toward the end of the season that he would be playing here. He said he was sort of surprised at the assignment.

"I didn't have a great year," he said. "The (Marlins) sent me out here for a reason, so I'm happy they did it."

Burns made a recruiting trip here for UH with his traveling club teammate Joe Spiers. They were hosted by Greg Kish and Steven Wright, Burns said.

"I had fun on my trip," he said. "I had a good time."

Burns wasn't the only hit UH took in that draft. Pitcher James Parr, also a traveling club teammate of Burns, signed with the Atlanta Braves, who picked him in the fourth round. Parr made his big-league debut with Atlanta this season.

Since his recruiting trip was just a weekend, Burns said he plans to see as much of the island during HWB's six-week-long season.

"I want to see all the tourist attractions," he said. "Maybe see if I can meet up with Coach Trap. (Trapasso).

The CaneFires are scheduled to workout today at Les Murakami Stadium.

The league opens tomorrow with the CaneFires playing the North Shore Honu at Hans L'Orange Park and the Honolulu Sharks taking on the Waikiki BeachBoys at Murakami Stadium. Both games start at 7 p.m.

At UH, the lower level has new seats (1,362) that are part of the stadium improvements included with the turf replacement from a year ago. Installment of the upper level seats is expected to be completed later in the season.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.