The Pacific tradewinds have been very good to the Hawaiian Islands, bringing many exotic flowers and birds to paradise over the centuries.

When the peoples of Polynesia began loading up their longboats and exploring eastward from Tonga and New Zealand, the once uninhabited islands were discovered, then civilized, then turned in a modern-day sanctuary for anyone who wanted to get away; rest; be entertained.

Who knew that years after the monk seal and nene made Hawaii their own private habitats would come a species of Northern California baseball players? Some of whom would fly in with Blue Devil pitchforks, long menacing tails, horns and 90 mph fastballs?

Like so many other morphed species, Hawaiian baseball players from the Sacramento region came about through chance meetings.

Rainbow head coach Mike Trapasso and Cosumnes River College skipper Tony Bloomfield first worked together in 2004 when Trapasso was an assistant for Team USA baseball.

Davis resident Bloomfield was asked to run a team trial in the northland, and before long the two veteran coaches had struck up a friendship.

It was a mutually beneficial relationship that has seen Bloomfield send almost a dozen top prospects to the University of Hawaii — including ex-DHS outfielder Evan Zimny and current CRC flamethrower Corey MacDonald, who will be island hopping next fall.

“During that Team USA experience, we formed a great relationship … and we’ve been close friends ever since,” Trapasso, now in his 10th season, explains. “I’ve really benefited from that relationship … and our program has had lots of Cosumnes players come here.

“It’s been terrific for us.”

Zimny, a member of Davis High’s 2004 Sac-Joaquin Section title team, spent a couple of seasons with Bloomfield before being the first Devil charged to Trapasso’s care.

After a strong junior season, Zimny had a series of nagging injuries and played about a dozen games in 2008. But the die was cast as Trapasso and Bloomfield opened their trade route across the Pacific Ocean.

“What a great kid that Zimny was,” the ‘Bo’s coach explains. “He was one of our first impact players who came from Tony and Cosumnes. In our relationship, I’m the one who’s always benefiting.”

Brent Harrison (Galt) and Patrick O’Rourke (Elk Grove) are two current-roster Rainbows that Bloomfield nurtured at CRC.

Next season, Bloomfield will present Trapasso with, what could be, his biggest gift of all — MacDonald.

The ever-evolving right-hander is 1-5 in a tough-luck start to 2011. A closer look at what the kid has done thus far screams of the Aloha spirit ahead.

In 43 innings, MacDonald has fanned 33 while walking only 11. His earned run average is a miniature 1.46.

Blue Devil fans will remember how MacDonald went from a so-so junior, to a lights-out senior by the end of 2009. Ditto at Cosumnes, MacDonald has grown by leaps and bounds.

“We’re seeing him bloom into a guy who could be a high draft choice after just one year (at Hawaii),” Trapasso explained. “Being 6-foot-6 is something you can’t teach. Give him another year to physically develop … ”

Trapasso looks skyward, wondering if there’s going to be any way to squeeze TWO seasons out of his newest gift from the Mainland.

Bloomfield develops players the “right way,” Trapasso continues. “His players are good people first. They respect the game and play solidly … good fundamentals.”

And that Aloha spirit. When Trapasso is in the Sacramento area, he’s a guest at the Bloomfields’.

“That guy cooks the best steak anywhere,” Trapasso says.

And apparently provides some of the best players around — at least as far the Rainbow Nation is concerned.

While I Have You Here: The University of Hawaii plays in Les Murakami Stadium in Honolulu. Having had the chance to watch Sacramento State get swept by a UH tropical storm last weekend, the baseball played is just a part of the family value at the on-campus venue.

Great crowd-participation gimmicks like T-shirt throws, restaurant drawings, between-game Little League contests, mascots and an entertaining message board all come into play.

The lighting is terrific, the right-field beer garden a delightful stop (for those so-inclined) and there are lots of helpful ushers throughout the stands.

A real Division I atmosphere … not unlike the stadium ambiance former Aggie baseball coach Phil Swimley had in mind when he and he incredible band of volunteers dug out what is now Dobbins Stadium.

If those lights ever go up, watch Aggie baseball take off in stature and as a terrific spring activity for the region. Where there are more fans, can advertising and financial support be far behind?

— Bruce Gallaudet is a staff writer for the Davis Enterprise, who is reporting from his vacation in Honolulu. Reach him at [email protected]

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