The Hawaii Collegiate Baseball League still anticipates using Les Murakami Stadium by its June 15 season opener despite University of Hawai'i athletic director Herman Frazier saying the facility will not be available for lease until further notice.

Frazier said yesterday the campus baseball stadium won't be leased to outside entities until the school learns the construction schedule for the installation of a new playing surface. He said he hopes to learn within 30 days from the May 17 press conference of the construction schedule. That puts the time frame pretty close to the summer league's opening date.

Gov. Linda Lingle released $2 million two weeks ago to replace the 13-year-old AstroTurf at the stadium, as well as to refurbish the seats at the 23-year-old, 4,312-seat facility.

"We are anticipating on playing at (Murakami) Stadium," said HCBL chairman Al Kam, adding he has been in contact with Frazier. "That is our plan. It is our desire to play (there)."

A number of Rainbows are on HCBL rosters, including All-WAC second-team outfielder Brandon Haislet, Kam said.

The league had played its first two seasons at Aloha Stadium. But Kam said Stadium Authority chairman Kevin Chong Kee told him that the Aloha Stadium's configuration would not be switched from football to baseball, leaving the six-team summer league to find another venue.

The Island Movers also have used Murakami Stadium during the summer, but have made contingency plans to use other sites in case the stadium wasn't available, coach Richard Olsen said.

Also, the UH baseball camps are scheduled for late July. Coach Mike Trapasso said if the stadium is unavailable, the camp sessions will be held at Rainbow Wahine Softball Stadium or the adjacent soccer field.

Hawaii Winter Baseball uses Murakami Stadium, but not until October.

At the May 17 press conference, Frazier said the new surface is supposed to be ready for use in time for the 2008 season. Because of the new uniform starting date set by the NCAA, spring practice begins Feb. 1, nearly a month later than previous seasons. The season starts about three weeks later.

Frazier said at the press conference the preference was for FieldTurf, the surface at Aloha Stadium.

Reach Stacy Kaneshiro at skaneshiro@honoluluadvertiser.com.