Baseball is big in the state of Hawaii, big on the Big Island, big in Hilo and big at the University of Hawaii Hilo.
Baseball is big in the state of Hawaii, big on the Big Island, big in Hilo and big at the University of Hawaii Hilo.
There is no doubt that people love their baseball in Hawaii. Vulcans head coach Kallen Miyataki, of course, loves baseball too, but not for the glorious national pastime reasons that you might think.
“I love the life lessons,” the third-year leader said. “Baseball is hard. You learn a lot through the process of preparing, working together, winning and losing. It prepares you for life.”
Miyataki, who is a former Vulcan player, assistant coach and associate head coach, has long-term ties and commitment to the program. Now as the head coach, his focus is on continuing a development process that is about more than wins and losses.
His teams are deeply involved in the Hilo community, whether it is providing free baseball clinics for youth teams or helping to clean up a local park or the zoo.
“This is part of who we are,” he explained. “I want our players to learn the value of service. We support our community and they in turn support us. The support of our local business people and the baseball community in Hilo is a big reason why our program is growing.”
Make no mistake, Miyataki wants to win, too. The Vulcans were 9-33 last year and 7-27 in the Pacific West Conference. League coaches predicted that UHH will finish at the bottom of the pack this year in the preseason coaches poll.
“That’s OK,” Miyataki said. “We will be better than people think. We have more talent than a year ago. We are young and we have work to do, but if we continue to do the right things each day, the winning will follow.”
The Vulcans return three full-time starters in the field, and three others whose names were written on the lineup card frequently.
Last year’s leading hitter, Phillip Steering, returns to play first base, after batting .327 in 2016 with a team-best nine doubles and 12 RBIs. Jonathan Segovia (outfield) and Jacob Grijalva (second base) were fixtures last year, while infielders BJ Freitas and Jaron Manago started about half the games. Edwin Stanberry and Michael Suguro saw back-up action behind the plate last spring.
On the mound, gone is standout Jordan Kurokawa (to the Philadelphia Phillies) who posted a 2.96 ERA and fanned 67 batter in 67 innings. In fact Eric Vega is the only returning starting pitcher (3.17 ERA), while Drew Ichikawa is the top returnee out of the bullpen, based on numbers (11 appearances, 4.20 ERA).
But a batch of promising newcomers, along with players that have been waiting their turn and developing in the program, will get their chance.
“We have some really promising newcomers and other players that we have been investing in,” Miyataki said. “It is their time now to step up. Everyone has a role and an opportunity and a chance to find their niche.”
In Alumni Game on Feb. 11, nine different pitchers toed the rubber, four of them freshmen. Besides Vega, only Deric Valoroso, Jr. and Thomas Warren were regulars out of the bullpen a year ago that saw action on Saturday.
“It’s a talented, but untested group,” Miyataki said. “Many of our guys, at all positions, were walk-ons who have had the chance to develop. When I look at our roster I see 21 walk-ons, but five of them have worked their way into a scholarship. That’s the opportunity you have here if you buy into the process.”
Miyataki and his staff will get another opportunity to test the pieces this Tuesday and Wednesday when they host Chuo University of Japan in an exhibition series. Chuo is one of the top collegiate teams in Japan, likely on the level of a good Division I team on the mainland. Both games will start at 6 p.m. at Wong Stadium.
“Fans will love their style of play,” Miyataki said of Chuo. “They have one of the most unique infield practices that you will ever see, and their bench and bullpen are active the entire game.”
That will be the last test before the Vulcans dive into PacWest play next Saturday and Sunday (Feb. 25-26) against Hawaii Pacific in a pair of doubleheaders. After that is a four-game series with Academy of Art at Wong Stadium, March 11-13.
“We are thankful each day for the opportunities that we have,” he continued. “We will always try to represent UH Hilo to the best of our ability, and that ability is going to get better and better as our guys continue to work together.”