Former Mid-Pacific Institute catcher Aaron Fujiki will have a taste of collegiate baseball competition even before he steps on the San Diego State campus in the fall.

The Interscholastic League of Honolulu Player of the Year is among five recent high school graduates who will play for the Hawaii Island Movers' travel team, which begins the summer program's 24th season Friday at Les Murakami Stadium.

"It's a good experience because you have guys throwing 90 (mph), so it's good to get your eyes used to that," said Fujiki, who signed with the Aztecs, coached by Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn, in November. "I'm just used to mid-80s.

"There's a lot of good guys (on the Movers team)," Fujiki said. "It's going to push me to get better."

Even better, the Movers will make their annual trek to Japan in less than a week. They will face some Japanese college all-star teams and Osaka Gakuin during the trip. Fujiki went to Japan as a youngster for a goodwill tournament in Ehime Prefecture.

"When I was 12, (the Japanese players) were pretty good," Fujiki said of the Japanese competition. "I'm guessing they're going to be even better."

The other recent high school grads on the Movers are pitcher Dane Kinoshita (Mid-Pacific), infielder/pitcher Reece Kiriu (Punahou), pitcher/outfielder Tamatoa DeMello (Saint Louis) and pitcher Glenn Silva (Castle). Most of the other players went to high school here, but play for colleges on the Mainland. Pitcher Micah Takahashi and infielder Cheyenne Hirota play for Hawai'i Pacific, and infielder Shane Hoey and pitcher/infielder Alex Myers play for the Rainbows. Hoey and Myers won't be accompanying the team to Japan because of summer school commitments.

Also, when the Movers arrive in Japan, they will be assigned three players from Osaka Gakuin.

To help with demand for playing time, the Movers program has started the four-team Paradise League. Nearly 90 players are involved. Movers founder Don Takaki said the league provides more opportunities for players. Island Movers coach Richard Olsen said it was hard to accommodate 35 players for playing time in previous summers.

Three teams — Dirtbags, Hustlers and Hawks — are composed of either recent high school graduates or college players. The fourth team, Elite, is composed of slightly older players who have completed eligibility.

The Movers will play the Dirtbags 6:30 p.m. Friday, the Hustlers 6:30 p.m. Saturday and the Hawks 1 p.m. Sunday at Les Murakami Stadium. It will be the Movers' only tuneup before the trip to Japan, July 1 to 17. There is no admission charge to the Movers' games.

Meanwhile, the Paradise League started playing June 14. The season ends July 29. Games are at Hans L'Orange Park, Les Murakami Stadium and the Patsy Mink Central O'ahu Regional Park. There is no admission charge.

ROSTERS

Island Movers—Pitchers: Dane Kinoshita (Mid-Pacific/Yavapai), Mikihiro Kishinaka (Osaka Gakuin), Hiroshi Kobayashi (Osaka Gakuin), Rich Mariano (Monterey Peninsula), Martin Rosenfeld (Cal State Fullerton), Glenn Silva (Castle/Yavapai), Micah Takahashi (Hawai'i Pacific). Catchers: Aaron Fujiki (Mid-Pacifc/San Diego State), Lyle Kitagawa (Saddleback), Jarryd Maeda (Merced). Infielders: Devin Powers Davis (Saddleback), Cheyenne Hirota (Hawai'i Pacific), Shane Hoey (Hawai'i), Kyle Kanaeholo (Linn-Benton), *Reece Kiriu (Punahou/Santa Clara), Kalehua Moniz (De Anza), *Alex Myers (Hawai'i), Landon Nakata (Penn State), Austin Potter (Lewis-Clark State), Jordon Shibata (Lewis & Clark). Outfielders: Ridge Carpenter (Hartnell), *Tamatoa DeMello (Saint Louis/Southern Utah), James Legsay (Monterey Peninsula), *Joshua Leite (Saddleback), Naoki Washio (Osaka Gakuin). Coach: Richard Olsen. Assistants: Galen Kitamura, Randy Yamashiro, Les Loo, Mario Monico.

*Denotes player also pitches.

Dirtbags—Pitchers: Tyler Inouye, Joshua Kaiwi, Allen Komori, Tyler Moon, Brandon Musser, Kelsey Outram, Ikaika Place, Bryan Raines. Catchers: Joshua Markwith, Tripper Chung, Carlton Tanabe. Infielders: John Abreu, Ryan Acosta, Eli Chee, John Gentry, Travis Jones, Chad Quillopo, Kainoa Tom. Outfielders: Rorry Nakayama, Chad Takabuki, Scott Uehara. Coach: Casey Onaga. Assistant: Tyler Inouye.

Hustlers—Pitchers: Cody Aquino, Grant Costa, Koa Kaleo, Matt Ko, Kekoa Lee, Aaron Nakasone, Reid Okita, Jay Tamanaha. Catchers: Jeff Domingo, Keoni Haina, Bryson Namba. Infielders: Casey Fujishige, Dustin Kim Seu, Brandon Kon, Joshua Queja, Ryson Mauricio, Jenson Sato, Kurt Tanabe. Outfielders: Bryan Katakura, Matt Kinoshita, Ryan Kinoshita, Ronel Trias. Coach: Wade Mauricio. Assistant: Gary Fuller.

Hawks—Pitchers: Bubba Ching, Jarvis Nohara, Kamakani Usui, Kili Vierra, Cory Yuh. Catchers: Kevin Fujii, Kiley Kawazoe, Zach Kometani. Infielders: Les Akeo, Joshua Bninski, Russell Doi, Danny Higa, Jeeter Ishida, Case Miyahira, Cole Shidaki. Outfielders: Peter Arakawa, Jordon Monico, Bryson Nakamura, Matt Suiter. Coach: Bruce Sugawa. Assistants: Darryl Kogasaka, Rich Olsen, Blane Muraoka.

Elite—Pitchers: Daven Hermosura, Adam Inaba, Chris Loo, Travis McGaughy, Davin Morita, Doug Shimokawa, Ryan Tanaka, Sean Yamashita. Catchers: Shannon Camero, Shay Hirota, Todd Jinbo. Infielders: A.D. Mols, Mikey Kim, Reid Matsushima, Sean Murphy, Blaine Umeda, Kevin Whalen. Outfielders: Derek Costigan, Kevin Machida, Chris Mols, Wayde Murata, Matt Roman. Coordinator: Sean Yamashita. Assistant: Todd Jinbo.