Two players from Hawai'i will join Hawaii Winter Baseball as reserves.

Former University of Hawai'i infielder Jon Hee and former Hawai'i Pacific University pitcher Kaimi Mead will be added to the rosters, the league announced yesterday.

Hee, who was assigned to the North Shore Honu, was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 21st round in June out of UH. He played for the short-season Single-A Lowell (Mass.) Spinners of the New York-Pennsylvania League. He batted .196, but had a respectable .347 on-base percentage. He walked 29 times, while striking out 26.

"It's good just to get to play at home again," Hee said.

Mead, assigned to the Honolulu Sharks, was drafted in the 18th round by the Cleveland Indians in June out of HPU. He pitched for the Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Scrappers, also of the New York-Pennsylvania League. He went 5-8 with a 5.52 earned run average, striking out 40 and walking 24 in 62 innings. He started 24 games.

"I'm just happy I will get to experience Hawaii Winter Baseball and play against good competition," Mead said.

Mead said the Indians do not want him pitching too much because he logged a lot of innings in his senior season at HPU (72 innings) and with the Scrappers.

Although he struggled in his first pro season, Mead enjoyed the experience.

"It was rough at times, it was real good at times," Mead said. "I just have to find a way to be consistent."

As reserves, their managers are not obligated to use them because they weren't assigned by their teams, although the league has permission to allow them to play, the league said. Last year, when injuries affected some teams, the league had permission to use catcher Matt Inouye and pitcher Kanekoa Texeira, both of the Chicago White Sox organization, one of seven MLB teams that does not participate in HWB.

Hawaii Winter Baseball opens 7 tonight with the Honolulu Sharks playing the Waikiki BeachBoys at Les Murakami Stadium, and the North Shore Honu taking on the West Oahu CaneFires at Hans L'Orange Park.

Before the CaneFires-Honu game, the Little League Majors World Series champion Waipi'o team will be honored. Also, the Positive Coaching Alliance will present the team's coaches with certificates.

Both series resume at 1 p.m. tomorrow.