Precipitation wasn't going to put a damper on the Hawai'i baseball team's first full team workout yesterday at Les Murakami Stadium.

"A little rain shower passed by the stadium, so I'll take that as a blessing and look at that as a good sign for the start of practice," UH coach Mike Trapasso said with a laugh.

The Rainbows, hoping to improve on a 29-31 season, need all the blessings they can get. They open the 2009 campaign Feb. 20 with a four-game series against UC Irvine, ninth in Baseball America's preseason top 25 national rankings.

Hawai'i officially lists 34 players, but it's already down to 33 because right-handed pitcher Alex Bates, who showcased a live arm in four outings last season, is recovering from Tommy John elbow surgery. Because he already redshirted while at Cosumnes River JC before he got here last season, he will need to apply for a medical exemption for a sixth season of eligibility if he is to return in 2010.

Also on the mend, but still hopeful, is right-hander Jared Alexander (7-3, 3.27 ERA), the team's most consistent starter before shutting down toward the end of the season with elbow issues. Trapasso said the All-Western Athletic Conference selection is still rehabilitating the elbow and is hopeful he will be "100 percent" for the WAC season, which starts April 3 for UH.

Pitching might see the most change from last season. Jayson Kramer, used exclusively in relief in his three seasons with UH, will be tried as a starter.

"It's something both me and the coaches wanted to do," said Kramer, who said he was a starting pitcher several summers ago in the Jayhawk League.

Returning catcher Landon Hernandez, a senior who opted to return despite being drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 50th round last summer, has a good feeling about his batterymates.

"They all have good stuff," said Hernandez, an All-WAC second-team pick. "They have to prove themselves, but they all should be able to get the job done."

While the pitching staff tries to take form, the position players appear more settled.

The Rainbows return three starters in the infield with Vinnie Catricala at third, Kevin Macdonald at first and Greg Garcia at either shortstop or second. Garcia, a second-team All-WAC selection as a freshman, started the season at shortstop but moved to second after an ankle injury. The only starter lost was All-WAC shortstop Jon Hee, an NCAA Division I Gold Glove Award recipient, who graduated and signed with the Boston Red Sox.

It is the outfield where the Rainbows appear deepest. Back are Jeffrey Van Doornum and Matt Roquemore. Sean Montplasir also saw considerable action until he was sidelined with a shoulder injury.

Also in the mix are some promising newcomers in freshmen Kolten Wong and Chase Koissian, as well as JC transfer Christian Johnson.

Wong was drafted in the 16th round by the Minnesota Twins out of Kamehameha-Hawai'i. He might be the most versatile player, as he can play second base and catcher.

Johnson, a 2006 graduate of 'Iolani, was a JC Gold Glove winner at Central Arizona last season. He has shown power and Trapasso describes him as "a fun guy to watch" play.

Lost from last season is All-WAC center fielder Brandon Haislet, the team's leading hitter in nearly every offensive category. He graduated and signed with the Philadelphia Phillies.

"I like our chances," Kramer said. "We have everyone coming back, except Jon Hee and Haislet. All our position guys know their roles already. We have some real good guys coming in."

Season ticket sales began yesterday. For information, call 944-2697 or visit www.etickethawaii.com/sports.