Hawai'i is picked to finish fourth, or the exact middle of the seven-team Western Athletic Conference, in a preseason poll of the league's coaches.

The WAC released the poll yesterday.

Fresno State, ranked 21st nationally by Collegiate Baseball Newspaper's preseason poll last month, was picked as the league favorite, receiving six first-place votes since a coach couldn't pick his own team. Louisiana Tech received the other first-place vote and was picked to finish second, followed by Nevada, UH, San Jose State, Sacramento State and New Mexico State.

"That's about where we belong," UH coach Mike Trapasso said. "I'm OK with that for two reasons. No. 1, we're very young, having 12 freshmen. A lot of coaches don't know any of our freshmen and how they may perform, and that includes us. But No. 2, my feelings are always the same on preseason polls. These same coaches picked us to win the league last year and we finished fourth, so what does that tell you? Maybe by being picked to finish fourth, we'll win the league. Who knows?"

Coaches know the polls are just a way for the league to announce the upcoming season. For the Rainbows, their opener is Feb. 15 against UH-Hilo. The two get a jump start on the rest of the Division I nation because of a Hawai'i exemption that allows them to start a week earlier. The new uniform starting date for Division I begins this season. While the Rainbows can start full team workouts Tuesday, the rest of the nation starts Feb. 1 with their first regular season games set for Feb. 22.

Unfortunately for both Hawai'i teams, the exemption is just that: For Hawai'i teams only. Trapasso proposed an exemption for teams on the Mainland to start before the uniform starting date if they played against the UH teams, but that didn't pass.

That means UH will have to schedule more midweek games on the road. That translates to more missed time in the classroom at a time when the NCAA is cracking down on poor Academic Performance Rate in baseball. Trapasso said he will try for the exemption again.

"It's all a prelude by the powers that be to cut baseball games," Trapasso said. "It's a forgone conclusion that we'll be down to 45 games within five years."

Teams can schedule up to 56 regular-season games, except for those that travel here. Games played in Hawai'i by Mainland teams are exempt from the 56-game limit.

Also announced by the WAC yesterday was its preseason All-WAC team. Outfielder Brandon Haislet and pitcher Matt Daly were the only Rainbows selected.

Meanwhile, installation of the new turf at Les Murakami Stadium was completed on schedule. All but the home plate and pitcher's mound areas are covered by artificial turf by Domo. It is similar to the FieldTurf at Aloha Stadium.

"It's better than I could've imagined," Trapasso said. "It's that good. It's playing better than expected. I expected it would be slow (for grounders). It's not fast, but it's not as slow as we anticipated. It's just really beautiful."

LASORDA'S BACK

Hall of Fame manager Tom Lasorda will be attending the Grand Slam Celebration on Monday at the Stan Sheriff Center, Trapasso said, but not as a featured speaker as he was in 2006. Lasorda, who will be in town on another business matter, will be making rounds to different tables at the event, Trapasso said.

The event is a fundraiser for the baseball program. It is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. and gives attendees a chance to meet the coaches and players.

Food will be provided by Big City Diner, Compadres Bar & Grill, 3660 on the Rise, Hukilau, Mariposa, Ruth's Chris Steakhouse, Sergio's, Side Street Inn and Sodexho. Beverages will be served by Better Brands, Anheuser-Busch, Paradise Beverages and Southern Wines & Spirits.

There also will be live and silent auctions that feature baseball memorabilia and trip packages.

Tickets are $75 each. Parking is free for guests that present tickets at the parking gate. Each ticket also includes two tickets to the Feb. 17 game against UH-Hilo. Tickets are available online at www.etickethawaii.com or by calling 944-2697. They are also available at the UH baseball office by calling 956-6247.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.