'Like old times' at Rainbow alumni game
By Al Chase
Star-BulletinJohn Matias and Franz Yuen stood outside the batting cage at home plate watching Kenny Harrison trying to adjust his softball swing to the point of knocking one of Mark Rasmussen's hardball offerings out of Rainbow Stadium. "When was the last time you swung a bat," Yuen (a Rainbow from 1991 to 1994) asked Matias.
"In last year's alumni game," Matias (1985-89) responded.
Harrison belted one to deep center, but not far enough.
Randy Inaba (1982-85), now a softball player, said he has been back for most every alumni game "to see if I can still hit the baseball."
Mario Monico (1982-85) misses not playing and wonders at times if, at age 34, he could still play. The daydreaming begins when he sees some of his former teammates playing on television from his days in the Milwaukee Brewers organization. Then the man with the highest lifetime batting average at UH (.367) spoke at length about the work it takes to compete successfully at the collegiate and professional levels.
Scott Karl (1990-92), armed with a new three-year, $7 million contract from the Brewers, finally announced to anyone who would listen that he wasn't going to collect the baseballs coming in from the outfield any more.
When they one-night alumni practice began, four players were at the batting cage with 15 to 20 in the outfield. An hour later, the numbers were reversed. And, they didn't take infield and no one was running wind sprints.
After all, the alumni are riding a one-game winning streak in the series with the University of Hawaii Rainbows.
Yes, this was a typical alumni practice.
Kawika Aganos (1989-93) says he tries to stay in shape playing in the Oahu Summer League but it is tough when you work full time.
Brady Perreira (1989-92) hopes he can take the mound and maybe get one out without getting hurt. "My arm is not in shape," he said.
Karl, who played in the 1993 and 1994 games, said he loves coming back to Hawaii because of all the friends he has here.
"It's also great not to be busy and involved with school. This way you can enjoy the islands the way they are supposed to be enjoyed," he said.
The left-hander started throwing 10 days ago in preparation for the upcoming major league season and isn't sure if his arm is ready for active duty yet.
"That's why I came, but with the money my team invested in me, if I'm not ready, then it would be foolish to try and make something out of it," he said.
"Maybe I'll at least get an at-bat."
He will have to take his cuts from now on since the Brewers have moved to the National League.
"It's a chance to come out and see all our friends again," Matias said.
"Everyone comes back and it's like old times," Yuen added. "We definitely don't take it seriously."
Coach Les Murakami's Rainbows will tomorrow when the teams play a doubleheader starting at 5 p.m. at Rainbow Stadium.
"The game is a fun game, but it's good to play someone different," Murakami said.
UH's first three pitchers will be Dusty Bergman, Patrick McNair and Randon Ho with Nathaniel Watterson closing.
And, as hard as Harrison tried, he never did hit one out.
UH-Alumni baseball
Alumni vs. Hawaii (doubleheader): Tomorrow at 5 p.m.
