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Monday, February 24, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

BRADENTON, Fla. -- As a kid growing up in Hollidaysburg, Pa., Mike Holtz used to attend games at Three Rivers Stadium. There's nothing he would like better than to pitch for the team he supported.

"We could only afford seats in peanut heaven," said Holtz, a left-handed reliever who was signed to a minor-league contract in January. "We'd go there early for batting practice and sneak down the rail to get a ball. I was always a Pirate fan."

Holtz, 30, is no stranger to the major leagues. He pitched for Oakland and San Diego last season, and in parts of eight seasons has a 16-20 record with a 4.68 ERA in 350 games.

With the market being what it is, Holtz was searching for a job and an opportunity to get back East. Signing with the Pirates also gave him a chance to return to his roots.

"All you can do is ask for an opportunity to pitch. I'm going to bust my rear to make it," he said. "I'm not trying to throw the ball 95 mph in the bullpen. But when I get my chance, I'm going to treat it like a game situation. We're all here for the same purpose -- to win. If I can be a part of that, great."

Bullington in camp

One of the perks of being a first-round draft pick is to get invited to major-league camp, even if there's no chance of making the team. Right-handed pitcher Bryan Bullington, the first overall pick in the draft last year, has been making the most of the experience with the Pirates.

In addition to rubbing shoulders with major-leaguers and top prospects, Bullington has participated in the fielding drills and has thrown live batting practice, like all the pitchers in camp.

"It's a way to get his feet on the ground, to get through the anxiety," General Manager Dave Littlefield said.

Bullington made an impact on Jack Wilson yesterday in the batting cages. Wilson's hands were stinging after he hit one of Bullington's pitches off the end of his bat, and he wasn't anxious to get back into the cage.

"His ball moves like 8 feet. Plus he throws a 93 mile-an-hour sinker," Wilson said.

Bullington will get an inning or two of work in some Grapefruit League games. Based on his performance and how he does in minor-league camp, the Pirates will decide what level of the minors he will start this year.

"There's not much he can do in this camp to impress," Manager Lloyd McClendon said. "We're already impressed with the young man.

"He just needs to play and start competing."

Training camp routine enters a new phase this week with a Wednesday exhibition game against Manatee Community College at McKechnie Field. ... Pitcher Dennys Reyes required treatment for a strained right quadriceps muscle during practice yesterday.