A new scheduling format and new divisions dot this spring's O'ahu Interscholastic Association baseball season, which begins this afternoon when first pitches are thrown at 3:30.

OIA teams have been split into Red and White conferences with the addition of Division II classification on a statewide level.

Red Conference (Division I) teams have been split into East and West divisions, much like in other OIA sports, and teams will play home-and-away games with teams in the same division. Teams could now be tested twice by the same team and might also need to dig deeper into their rosters.

"Now, it's like all the pitchers are working," Mililani coach Dean Sato said of the home-and-away format. "It shows your depth. Usually the second, third pitcher don't get a chance to really shine. Now, everyone will start using their 2, 3 and 4 (pitchers)."

Gary Nakamoto enters in his first year as coach at Pearl City, though he is very familiar with the players and program. He was Pearl City's junior varsity coach for the past 15 seasons, brought in when coach Mel Seki took over the varsity program in 1993.

Seki retired after last season, which included an OIA championship and a runner-up finish at the state tournament.

"The majority of the kids, I worked with from JV, outside leagues, I know of them," Nakamoto said.

The Chargers return 10 players, but only four of them started last year. But they also get a boost from several transfers, including sophomore Kahana Neal, a 6-foot-1 sophomore pitcher from Mililani.

Among the returnees are seniors Cory Yuh, Ryne Acosta, Bryson Nakamura and Jordon Casarez, who had a standout performance in last year's OIA title game against Kailua.

OIA West foe Mililani, which finished seventh at the state tournament last year, returns six to seven players with considerable experience. Though it's too early to judge anything, Sato said the season could be promising.

"Everybody is working hard, putting in the extra time and hopefully it pays off," he said.

Kaiser finished third in the state last year, but has had a tough preseason. Coach Peter Ho is counting on the experience of catcher Bryce Marcouiller, second baseman Joe Honma, shortstop Cal Tashiro, outfielder Dustin Dela Pena, pitcher Zack Wong and first baseman Pono Meyer.

"These players must step it up in order for us to succeed," Ho said.

Kailua coach Corey Ishigo, entering his 10th season with the Surfriders, has guided the team to five OIA titles and one state championship.

For the first time this season, JV baseball teams competed separately in the winter season, and some players have moved up for the varsity spring season.

"Having the JV season done, it gives the 10th graders a chance to grow with the varsity," Kalani coach Shannon Hirai said.

Aside from Nakamoto, other teams with new coaches are Chad Uyehara at Castle, Reid Yoshikawa at Kaimuki, Lon Passos at Radford and Terry Onizuka at Waialua.

Reach Stanley Lee at sktlee@honoluluadvertiser.com.