Thursday, Apr. 10, 2008

Mariners Spring Update

By Ryan Divish; The News Tribune

Sunday - The weather was a little cool and the skies were somewhat overcast for the Mariners’ lengthy workout.

The workout

It was a long workout for position players, who didn’t leave the field until after 1 p.m. There was live batting practice, followed by regular batting practice and work on cut-off throws and other situations.

One common drill during live pitching is a bunting station for players. A pitching machine feeds balls to players who are supposed to bunt them. Ideally, the bunts land in one of two spray-painted circles angled down each line 10 feet away. To spice it up, manager John McLaren was wagering a dozen golf balls each player couldn’t put at least six bunts inside the circles in 30 attempts.

“I’m going to build up a few dozen from each, first,” McLaren said.

Only one player was able to put six in the circles – Ichiro Suzuki, of course.

“It’s difficult because the ground is hard and it’s hard to kill the ball,” McLaren said. “I thought we’d spice it up. It’s always better when you compete for something.”

And because it’s a competition, there is the possibility of trying to gain an advantage.

“I haven’t monkeyed with the machine, or anything like that I’ve been accused of in the past,” McLaren said. “I haven’t touched the machine or talked to the grounds crew about not watering there.”

But he admitted to doing those things in the past.

By the way, we’re not talking about cheap golf balls found in a pond.

“Titleist Pro V1s or Pro V1X or Nike One Platinums,” McLaren said. “Not going to have any Pink Ladies. They have to be the real deal.”

Quotable

“I don’t pitch with a screen in a game – you just worry about hitting it.” – Jarrod Washburn to Richie Sexson, after Sexson said he wasn’t swinging during live batting practice because Washburn didn’t have a protective screen in front of him.

Medical report

Jose Vidro was the first player to get hit by a pitch during live batting practice. Left-hander Ryan Rowland-Smith drilled Vidro, who was hitting right-handed, in the left knee. Vidro yelped in pain and fell to the ground. He tried to come back later and take a few cuts, but eventually left the field to ice the knee.

“I think he’s OK,” McLaren said.

Short hops

Utility player Brant Ust was the day’s contestant in Mariners Idol. He sang a song by Robert Goulet. “He started off by humming, got a little rhythm going,” McLaren said. “It was good.”

Ryan Divish, The News Tribune