Hawaii is scouting athletes in Japan, Taiwan and South Korea in a bid that state officials hope pays off for both the university's teams and the islands' tourism economy.

• State officials and former UH baseball staff met with schools in Japan and Taiwan known for producing top baseball talent.
• The plan goes beyond sports: bring in players, stream their games back home, build a fan base abroad, and eventually land corporate sponsors and visitors.
• Taiwanese and Japanese prospects are seen as technically strong, with young pitchers already throwing in the low-to-mid 90s.
• Scholarship money, English requirements and competition from pro leagues back home are the main obstacles.
• With 360 Division I programs chasing the same mainland recruits, Hawaii sees Asia as the better bet.

Outlook: No contracts have been signed yet, and a delegation is now in Korea, so this stays a long-term relationship-building play rather than a quick win.