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Sunday, April 29, 2001

SAN DIEGO -- Jose Silva not only pitched at Hilltop High School in nearby Chula Vista, Calif., but he also did a little groundskeeping on the pitcher's mound -- which is precious territory for anyone who makes a living throwing the ball.

"I'd take care of it. Fix it. Tap it. Water it," said Silva.

While he doesn't have a degree in horticulture like most major-league groundskeepers, Silva said he knows a thing or two about what it takes to make a good mound.

Silva and several other Pirates pitchers figures the mound in Dodger Stadium is the best in baseball.

"Awesome," Silva said. "You pick up your leg and fall forward. It has just the right slope. It's real firm. Where you land is where you land. The dirt doesn't break up, so your foot doesn't slip."

By regulations, major-league mounds are built 15 inches higher than the infield surface. But not all mounds are created equal.

The mound at Enron Field in Houston is rated among the best. So is the one at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix.

Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia doesn't get high marks, though, because the slope is too severe. Some players call it an anthill.

"It's like when you step off a curb and there's more distance to the street than you think," said Scott Sauerbeck, who loves the Dodger Stadium mound because of its perfect slope and firm footing.

One of the reasons Dodger Stadium has gotten a reputation as a pitcher's park is that the mound was always thought to be a little higher than is allowed. But it has been measured several times and found to be in compliance.

"It might be a little higher," said Ramon Martinez, who pitched 11 years for the Dodgers. "It's got a very good angle. It's very comfortable. I had a lot of success here."

But Los Angeles, which has had its share of organizational problems in the past few years, also has another distinction.

"It has the best playing surface in baseball," said John Vander Wal.

The mound at PNC Park is new and still in its formative stages. But Silva and other Pirates pitchers have been giving advice to groundskeeper Luke Yoder.

"It's getting there," Silva said.

Spin cycle

Martinez and Omar Olivares are veteran pitchers obtained because injuries devastated the pitching rotation. But they're new to the Pirates and there been an adjustment period for them and the coaches who are schooling them.

Pitching coach Spin Williams, known as the Spin Doctor because of his attention to detail with pitching mechanics, has been working with both of them.

"We don't know them. We have nothing to evaluate them on. All we can go off is performance to performance," said Williams, who has been studying tapes of the pitchers. "You're dealing with guys who have done things the same way for a long, long time. It's hard to adjust during the season. You always revert back to what's natural. It's tough to break old habits. Try brushing your teeth with your other hand.

"The biggest problem with both of them is control. If I had to pick one thing with both of them, it's the command of their pitches."

Olivares got his first win of the season last week. Martinez has yet to post a victory, and he walked five batters in five innings Wednesday against the Dodgers, giving him 13 walks in three starts. Part of the control problems are because he pitched his last spring training game March 27 and wasn't signed by the Pirates until April 11.

"I'm concerned about his control," Williams said. "He's a little bit off where he was. He's never been a painter. He has been a little wild. But he's a very hard worker. He listens well. He's going to have to make adjustments. He doesn't throw 95 or 96 [mph] anymore."

Pleasant surprises

The two biggest pitching surprises in the first month? Rookie Joe Beimel and second-year starter/reliever Bronson Arroyo.

"We've been dwelling on so many negatives because of all the injuries, but we've had a couple of positives too," Williams said. "They might fall on their face tomorrow, but they've been pretty impressive."

Going into the weekend, Beimel, 23, had given up just two runs in 101/3 innings. He retired the six batters he faced Wednesday after throwing 32/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Cubs in his previous outing. Opponents were batting just .167 against him, and he had not allowed a home run.

"He's probably been the biggest surprise," Williams said. "He's got great makeup, although it might be boiling on the inside."

"There's not much that moves him," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "He's quite mature for his age."

Fashion critic

In an informal survey taken during spring training, Jason Kendall was voted "worst dressed" by his peers.

And he's not taking the sartorial criticism lying down. Though he never professed to wanting to make, say, Mr. Blackwell's list, Kendall teased Enrique Wilson last week about a shirt featuring a video game motif. The basic colors of Wilson's garb were black, red and white -- and the scene was so eye-catching it prompted all kinds of remarks.

"And they say I'm the worst dressed," Kendall sniffed.