Today's forecast calls for rain and only a slight chance University of Hawai'i's Bob Coolen will have the opportunity to earn his 600th career victory as a softball coach.

Coolen's record is 599-435-1, including 527-342-1 in 15 seasons at UH. He previously coached at Bentley in Massachusetts.

Good weather permitting — and it doesn't appear hopeful — Coolen could reach the milestone if rain doesn't force the postponement of today's scheduled games against Longwood at 5 p.m. and San Diego State at 7. The Bank of Hawai'i Invitational runs through Sunday.

"It means," Coolen said of his record, "that I've been coaching for a long time."

Coolen, 48, said he remains enthusiastic.

"I love the excitement of going into every contest, just having that anxiousness as I did as a competitor, starting in high school," he said. "I still have the butterflies before every game, when I look at the lineups and anticipate what's going to happen. I still get that. When I don't get that feeling before a game, it's time to do something else."

Coolen has undergone few changes. Every day, he is in the covered batting cage, using a blower to clear away leaves and a power washer to scrub mud stains.

"That's our little sacred place," he said. "I can't have it looking downtrodden."

He also inspects the Rainbow Wahine Stadium field, smoothing out bumps and filling holes.

Before every practice and game, he makes sure there is an ample supply of softballs, and that the bats are arranged in order.

During rain delays, while other coaches are looking to stay dry, Coolen is hauling buckets of sand and cinders. After games, he helps the grounds crew.

Each player is assigned duties such as sweeping the dugout, dragging the field or picking up trash.

"I want them to know that everything should be in place, because everything has a place," Coolen said.

His recalled proudly when a prospect praised the cleanness of the dugouts during a recruiting visit.

"I always want to put out the best product, whether it's a team or facility," Coolen said. "I never want anything looking second rate. I want people to walk away and say, 'it was a great experience,' or 'your program has a lot to offer.'"

Reach Stephen Tsai at stsai@honoluluadvertiser.com.