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Wednesday, February 26, 2003

By Robert Dvorchak, Post-Gazette Sports Writer

BRADENTON, Fla. -- Today's exhibition game against Manatee Community College is more than just a way for the Pirates to raise money for charity and promote community goodwill. The evaluation starts for pitchers fighting for jobs, the new coaches get their first taste of game action, and players who probably will be in the minor leagues this season get a chance to play.

"It really gets the rust off for us," said Manager Lloyd McClendon. "Keep in mind, I have coaches who are going to be operating under game conditions for the first time, working on signs. It's a nice game to break the ice and get the jitters out for a lot of people. More than anything, our younger players get an opportunity to showcase their talent. It's nice to break the monotony and get into competition."

Salomon Torres will start for the Pirates. Starting pitchers will be limited to two innings or 40 pitches.

Also to pitch today are Bobby Bradley, Nelson Figueroa, Joe Beimel, Shawn Camp, Jim Mann and Bryan Bullington, who was picked first overall in the 2002 draft.

Most of the major-league talent will be three miles away at Pirate City for another day of practice.

The Pirates' lineup for the game will be left fielder Tike Redman, shortstop Jose Castillo, first baseman Carlos Rivera, designated hitter Walter Young, center fielder Tony Alvarez, right fielder J.J. Davis, third baseman Jose Fernandez, catcher Ryan Doumit and second baseman David Doster.

Pitching lineup

Pitchers Julian Tavarez (calf), Rolando Arrojo (hamstring), Dennys Reyes (quadriceps) and Mike Lincoln (shoulder) are progressing from nagging injuries and are not expected to play in the first five games.

When exhibition play begins tomorrow against the Phillies, Jeff D'Amico and Ryan Vogelsong are scheduled to pitch. Kris Benson and Brian Meadows will pitch in a "B" game against a Korean team.

Kip Wells will start Friday against the Indians, and Josh Fogg and Jeff Suppan will throw Saturday against the Red Sox. For the most part, those competing for the fifth starter's job will pitch in regular exhibition games and the first four starters will pitch in the "B" games.

"We have to try to get a feel for guys we don't know as soon as we can," pitching coach Spin Williams said. "A game [is] the best opportunity to do that."

The pitchers with injuries have been throwing but held out of drills such as covering first base and fielding bunts. "They're hungry. We have to keep the reins on them," Williams said.

A MRI test done on Lincoln's shoulder showed no structural damage. He will begin a limited throwing program today.

Catcher Humberto Cota (hand) is practicing without restrictions but might not play in a game for a week until he is sure the soreness is gone.

No games on WCWB

Fifteen fewer Pirates games will be televised this season than in 2002 because rights-holder Fox Sports Net has ended its over-the-air partnership.

The local sports-cable channel is scheduled to broadcast one more game than it did last season (105 instead of 104), but there won't be an additional 15 broadcasts on a commercial station, as there were on WCWB-TV last year.

"It was strictly a financial decision, based on a number of factors," said Larry Eldridge, general manager of the local Fox Sports Net affiliate.

He doesn't expect it to return to a commercial-TV partnership involving the Pirates for the next few years, at least.

Eldridge added that his channel plans to return to the recent broadcast status quo and televise between 115 and 120 Pirates games next season. The latter figure represents the maximum allowable under their contract with the club. Fox Sports Net, combined with its over-the-air partner, showed 99 games in 1999, 100 in 2000 and about 120 each of the past two years.

The broadcast package for this season will be 59 road games and 46 home games. PNC Park's third season also will mark its national TV debut with an Aug. 30 Fox network broadcast of a Pirates-Atlanta Braves game.

The Pirates also are scheduled for a Fox showing May 31 at St. Louis and an ESPN split-national telecast July 4 against the Houston Astros.

Radio broadcasts of Pirates spring-training games begin tomorrow on KDKA-AM with the first of 12 games. Fox Sports Net is scheduled to televise the March 7 game at the Cincinnati Reds and the March 29 spring finale against the Detroit Tigers.

Bigger coolers allowed

Under new guidelines approved by Major League Baseball, fans will be allowed to bring larger coolers into PNC Park. The new limit calls for coolers to be no larger than 16 by 16 by 8 inches and the size limit on bottled water carried into the park is 20 ounces.

Post-Gazette sports writer Chuck Finder contributed to this report