Hawai'i's throwing a changeup on its annual alumni baseball game this season.

The Rainbows' varsity will play its alumni 1 p.m. Saturday at Les Murakami Stadium. It is the first time the program is playing the exhibition game during the fall, instead of the weekend before the season opener.

"It's going to be different how we do it in the spring, when everybody's ready and it's more of a dress rehearsal (for the season)," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "It's more of a break for our guys. Instead of scrimmaging each other, they get to play somebody else."

In the spring version, the Rainbows usually had an idea of who the starters would be. But about halfway through fall workouts, which end, Nov. 6, the Rainbows are still getting a feel for their personnel.

The Rainbows are coming off a 29-31 season that saw them fall a game shy of advancing to the Western Athletic Conference tournament championship. The season ended with a loss to Nevada in the double-elimination tournament eventually won by Fresno State, which ended up winning the College World Series.

Hawai'i has gaps to fill, including at shortstop and center field with the graduation of Jon Hee and Brandon Haislet. Both were drafted in June and just completed their first summer of pro ball. Hee, drafted by the Boston Red Sox, is on the North Shore Honu in Hawaii Winter Baseball. Haislet is at instructional ball with the Philadelphia Phillies.

Hee said he was awaiting clearance from his organization to play in the alumni game. Haislet is scheduled to arrive the morning of the game, Trapasso said.

Sophomore Greg Garcia, who finished the season at second base after switching with Hee after about a half-season, is moving to shortstop. The Rainbows are looking at freshmen Kolten Wong and Russell Doi and returnee Ryan Morford at second base.

Wong, a 16th-round draft pick by the Minnesota Twins who took negotiations to the Aug. 15 deadline, also is being considered in center field, along with returnee Matt Roquemore, who is having a strong fall, Trapasso said. Also being looked at is another freshman, Chase Koissian.

Returning to their same positions are third baseman Vinnie Catricala, first baseman Kevin Macdonald and catcher Landon Hernandez. Corner outfielders back are Sean Montplaisir, who might miss the Alumni game because of bronchitis, and Jeffrey Van Doornum.

A number of pitchers have been shut down for the fall, including starter Jared Alexander, who missed the finals weeks of last season with a elbow problems.

"He hasn't thrown off the mound," Trapasso said of Alexander, UH's ace last year at 7-3 with a 3.27 earned run average.

Available to pitch are returnees Jayson Kramer, Harrison Kuroda and Sam Spangler, as well as newcomers Connor Little and Nate Klein. Sophomore John Worthington, who didn't pitch last year, also is available.

Trapasso said some varsity pitchers might have to pitch for the alumni, who have more position players than pitchers available.

The UH season begins Feb. 20 here against UC Irvine.