The customary “V” on the new turf outfield for UH-Hilo’s softball team might as well stand for “validation,” junior Chloe Domingo said.
“I find it to be a big morale boost because, for me, it feels as if not just our hard work,” Domingo said, “but all those who came before us, is finally being (paid) off and we are being rewarded with this brand new field.”
The infield is still dirt, but there’s been an overhaul in the outfield, where a large Vulcans logo pops among the green field turf.
Maybe the “V’ stands for “vibrance.”
“A beautiful view each time we get out there and … nice hops for the outfielder,” said Domingo, a third baseman from Ewa Beach, Oahu. “A field of our own and get to take pride in it, instead of having to travel to other ones.”
The Vulcans (4-4, 2-2 PacWest) played their first game on the field Saturday in an alumnae game, and their home opener is noon Tuesday in a doubleheader against Holy Names (4-15, 2-6). It’s also the home debut for first-year coach Aisha Sueda.
Beyond intangibles, the turf was a practical and long-needed addition, as anyone familiar with the program can attest.
Domingo was an underclassman in 2019 and 2020 when UHH, as has long been customary, had to take refuge in West Hawaii to play “home” games because its field wasn’t draining properly. During wet spells, the program sometimes had to reschedule games a few days in advance, as even a dry 24-hour period often wouldn’t have provided enough time to prepare a field that, Domingo said, was a “swamp of sorts because it was filled with puddles of water that would take lots a sponging and sore backs to drain out.”
The field turf can get slippery, she said, but hopefully the drainage should markedly cut down on postponements.
UHH is taking the field for the first time since getting swept in a doubleheader Feb. 27 at Chaminade, where the bats failed to produce in loses of 3-2 and 5-1.
Statistically, the Vuls are fourth in the conference in batting average (.291) and ERA (2.91), but they’re the only team in the conference which hasn’t played 10 games yet. UHH and Holy Names will play another doubleheader Wednesday, and a four-game series against Dominican starts Sunday on campus.
“Lately, the focus has been on being adaptable,” Domingo said. “Whatever the situation or conflict, we each have to push forward and find a way.
“Also, the topic of purpose has been on our minds as we want to keep remembering why we are here and what we want to do with our goals in mind.”