Ready or not, the O'ahu Interscholastic Association Western Division baseball season starts today.

Perennial contenders such as defending Western Division champion Mililani, Pearl City, 'Aiea and Leilehua are expected to be ready.

But Nanakuli, Waialua and Kapolei might not be.

The Golden Hawks have struggled to get players out and will start the season with 11. They don't play until Monday.

Waialua managed to play only one preseason game because of rain.

Kapolei has been with about half its team because of an educational field trip. Its opener against 'Aiea has been pushed to Thursday since those on the trip return tomorrow night.

Most of the division starts tomorrow, but Leilehua visits Waipahu today, getting a jump on the competition. Game time is 4 p.m. The Marauders have a trip to Arizona coming up, so they requested an early date.

Coaches see no clear favorite, but expect the usual suspects contending for the top six spots. The top six from each division advance to the OIA tournament.

The Trojans lost 10 players to graduation, but are among those expected to contend.

"It's not the same as last year, that's for sure," Mililani coach Dean Sato said. "We have to rely on the small game. We lost a lot of power."

The Chargers finished strong in preseason after starting 0-4. They are strong up the middle with center fielder Bryant Katakura, shortstop Casey Fujishige and second baseman Dustin Kim Seu.

"We have pretty good team speed," Chargers coach Mel Seki said.

'Aiea also figures to be in the mix with three returning starters in third baseman Derek Grace, left fielder/first baseman Reid Nakamura and right fielder Shane Koga.

"They were vital members of last year's team," 'Aiea coach Ryan Kato said.

The Mules, division runners-up last year, drew raves for their pitching with returnees John Olley, Andrew Ontai and Joshua Pastor. Also, the same core of players took second in the new AAU summer league under new coach Mike Kim, promoted from assistant to replace Kevin Tosaka.

"I feel pretty positive about this team," Kim said. "We have a lot of experience, but our weakness might be speed."

Campbell, Kapolei, Radford, Wai'anae and Waipahu fall in the midway category. They are good enough to contend, but some of them might just miss the cut off for the top six.

The Rams' key players are still underclassmen, but they got a boost with transfer Mike Goodman, a 6-foot-6 left-handed pitcher. He has a mid-to-high-80s mph fastball, coach James Sunday said.

The Seariders will miss the versatility of two-time OIA West Player of the Year Clayton Uyechi.

Meanwhile, Waialua and Nanakuli continue to struggle with personnel. But the Bulldogs are hopeful.

"We're a little more athletic than in the past," Waialua coach Herbert Onizuka said.

At Nanakuli, baseball sometimes is an afterthought to other sports.

"We had no preseason," said coach Joshua DeFreitas. "I waited until after canoe paddling season for some players."

'Aiea Na Ali'i
Coach: Ryan Kato
Players to watch: 3B Derek Grace, Sr; LF/1B Reid Nakamura, Sr.; RF Shane Koga, Sr; 2B Herbert Chung, Sr.; LH Cody Aquino, Jr; C Brian Morihara, Sr.
Need to know: Chung was a projected starter last year, but a torn ACL kept him out all season.

Campbell Sabers
Coach: Rory Pico
Players to watch: U Kendall Hodson, Sr.; SS Ramsey Sakamoto, Sr.
Need to know: Only two seniors have significant varsity experience.

Kapolei Hurricanes
Coach: Tom Ebanez
Players to watch: RHP/CF Jon Santiago, Sr.; SS Aaron Santiago, Jr.
Need to know: About half of the 19 players went on a week-long trip to Europe as part of a school function, so the Hurricanes opener was pushed to Thursday.

Leilehua Mules
Coach: Mike Kim
Players to watch: RHP/CF/SS John Olley, Sr.; RH/LF/SS Joshua Pastor, Sr.; RHP/CF/SS Andrew Ontai, Sr.
Need to know: Starting LF Bryant Moniz decided not to return to concentrate on football.

Mililani Trojans
Coach: Dean Sato
Players to watch: C/OF/RH Richie Mariano, Jr.; C/RHP Blayne Kamahiai, Sr.; LHP Kylen Cadiam, So.; OF/RHP Dustin Antolin, So.; 3B Ryne Miyamoto, Sr.
Need to know: Defending division champions lost 10 players to graduation.

Nanakuli Golden Hawks
Coach: Joshua DeFreitas
Players to watch: RHP/C Curtis Wright, Sr.; U Ainoa Oliveira, Sr.; RHP/1B Lansen Koko, Jr.
Need to know: Will start the season with 11 players.

Pearl City Chargers
Coach: Mel Seki
Players to watch: SS Casey Fujishige, Sr.; 2B Dustin Kim Seu, Sr.; CF Bryant Katakura, Sr.; RH Matthew Ko, Sr.; RH Jason Tamanaha, Sr.
Need to know: The Chargers started the preseason 0-4, but finished strong for an overall 6-5-1 mark.

Radford Rams
Coach: James Sunday
Players to watch: LHP Mike Goodman, Sr.; CF/LHP Kyle Blair, Jr.; RHP/SS Justin Lord, Jr.; RHP Wes McCormick, So.
Need to know: The 6-foot-6 Goodman, a tight end and punter in football, is a military dependent who transferred from Korea.

Waialua Bulldogs
Coach: Herbert Onizuka
Players to watch: RHP/1B Josh Whitaker, Jr.; RHP/SS Bryce Whitaker, So.; DH/C/INF Justin Mangllalan, Sr.; C/INF Derek Nacario, Sr; LHP/OF Keli'ikoa Vierra, So.
Need to know: Bulldogs managed only one preseason game because of rain.

Wai'anae Seariders
Coach: Kekoa Kaluhiokalani
Players to watch: C/RHP Andy Kuakini, Sr.; SS/RHP Darius Fuller, Sr.; 3B William Duseigner, Jr.; OF Joshua Telles, Sr.; OF Pa'ana Pihana, Sr.
Need to know: Lost two-time West Player of the Year Clayton Uyechi, now at Hawai'i-Hilo.

Waipahu Marauders
Coach: Milton Takenaka
Players to watch: SS Derek Kiyabu, Sr.; LHP Alfred Manlangit, Sr.; C/3B Mike Gonzalez, So.; 2B Jansen Rios, So.; RHP/3B Kaimi Haina, Fr.; CF Jaris Komura-Rosete, Jr.
Need to know: Two sophomores and a freshman will get lots of playing time.