The University of Hawai’i baseball team (11-4) has been nearly unbeatable at Les Murakami Stadium as of late, winning 21 of its last 23 games dating back to last season.

Head coach Rich Hill believes the team’s success goes beyond just talent on the field—he credits the energy of the stadium, the fans, and what he calls the “Manoa Magic.”

“Absolutely,” Hill said. “There’s just so much tradition, so much history, and really so much mana here. The history of Manoa, the flow of water to Waikiki back in the day—it’s something special. I really believe in the Manoa Magic. I’ve seen it too many times. The mist comes down, the energy shifts, and you can feel the impact on the game, on the fans, and on our opponents.”

Hawai’i’s late-game heroics and dramatic finishes have added to the lore of Manoa Magic, but Hill and his players don’t just wait for it to happen. The team has incorporated unique dugout traditions to keep players engaged, and now, Hill wants fans to join in.

One of those traditions is the conch shell, passed down from former player Tai Atkins to current Rainbow Warrior Elijah Ickes, who blows the shell before each game to set the tone. The team also honors fans with the “Shaka Hammer” and the school’s fight song at the end of each game.

During games, the team has specific rituals tied to different pitch counts, which Hill hopes will become stadium-wide traditions.

      •     The 2-2-2 Ritual (Two Balls, Two Strikes, Two Outs):

When Hawai’i is batting, players remove their caps so the sunlight or stadium lights reflect off their heads, channeling what Hill jokingly calls the “Coriolis effect” to give good juju to the hitter. On defense, players spin their caps toward the nearest foul pole to “screw up the juju” for the opposing hitter.

      •     The 1-1-1 Freeze (One Ball, One Strike, One Out):

Inspired by wax museum exhibits Hill visited as a child, players freeze in place when the count reaches 1-1-1, believing it brings luck to the defense. Hill wants fans to take part in this tradition as well.

“Can you imagine a packed Les Murakami Stadium, all taking off their hats on a 2-2-2 count for our hitter, giving him that energy?” Hill said. “And then on defense, everyone turning their hats to throw off the other team? Or the whole stadium freezing on 1-1-1? It’s about engagement, winning the dugout competition, and having fun.”

Hill emphasizes that these traditions are about more than just superstition—they create a unique atmosphere that fuels his team.

“Let’s have fun at the Les,” Hill said. “Let’s have fun in the dugout. These are things that keep us engaged and help us win the controllables. But I want the fans to be a part of it too.”

With the Rainbow Warriors rolling at home, Hill is hoping the crowd buys into the Manoa Magic.