Place an Ad Calendars Classified Forums Sports Weather

sptimes.com Text-only News sections Arts & Entertainment AP The Wire Business Citrus County Columnists Floridian Hernando County Hillsborough Letters Movies Neighborhood Times News Update North Pinellas North of Tampa Obituaries Opinion Pasco County South Pinellas Sports State Tampa Bay TV Times World & Nation  Find your local news section Weekly sections Brandon Times City Times Homes Outdoors Perspective Personal Tech Taste Travel Weekend Xpress Special Sections Arena football Buccaneers College football Devil Rays Lightning Police reports Schools Seniority Subscriber Services Subscribe Renew Help Advertise Place an ad In print Online Market Info Join Us Internships Scholarships Times Jobs Contact us

Hall committed to maintaining same attitude

© St. Petersburg Times
published February 25, 2002

ST. PETERSBURG -- Toby Hall has a new role as the major-league starting catcher and a new contract for about $210,000 signed Sunday, but he insists little else has changed.

"I'm taking the same approach," Hall said. "I come in every year and prepare for wherever they're going to send me."

Given the Rays' commitment to youth and Hall's solid play when he got called up last season (a .298 average with 30 RBIs in 49 games), it would be stunning if he goes anywhere this spring but to Tropicana Field.

Even so, Hall said he won't allow himself to do anything differently.

"If I did, it would change the way I play," Hall said. "I'm just going to treat it like I do every spring, and that's to prepare myself for a long season."

About the only thing Hall has done differently is to make an effort to catch as many of the pitchers as possible to become familiar with them.

SUNSHINE ON THEIR SHOULDERS: The Rays were happy to get back on the fields after being forced indoors by rain the past two days.

"We've got stuff we need to do," Brent Abernathy said. "Pitchers need to throw to hitters, and we need to see live pitching."

Manager Hal McRae kept the players on the field for about three hours and said they got a lot done. "It was a good day to get out there," McRae said. "You never know when it might rain again."

BRAZELTON IMPRESSIVE: Top 2001 draft pick Dewon Brazelton, shaky in his debut last week, looked impressive in batting practice, mixing fastballs and changeups. "I can't express to you how nervous I was the other day," he said. "About the seventh pitch today I told myself to settle down and I felt good."

Said Hall: "He looked good. I saw him the other day and I didn't want any part of him."

FOR OPENERS: McRae said he likely will use mostly younger players in Friday's exhibition exhibition against the University of Tampa. "It'll be the future stars of the Rays," McRae said. "I'd like to see four at-bats. You get a better view than if they're backing up and only get one." Several of the veterans, such as Greg Vaughn, probably won't play much the first week of games.

MEDICAL REPORT: Jared Sandberg had a small bruise but no other damage after being hit in the left ribs by a Paul Wilson fastball during the situational hitting drill. ... Victor Zambrano, slowed by a tight hamstring, probably won't face live hitters until the end of the week. He won't be considered behind, however, because he was pitching for Venezuela in the Caribbean Series before reporting to spring training. ... Outfield prospect Josh Hamilton picked up his X-rays and headed to Los Angeles to be examined by back specialist Robert Watkins.

YBOR EXPRESS? With Sunday's practice not starting until 2 p.m., players had the opportunity -- were it necessary -- to sleep in. How did the arrangement work out? "Let me put it this way," Abernathy said. "I think we get a lot more work done when we practice in the morning."

MISCELLANY: Tanyon Sturtze kicks off what is scheduled to be a weekly radio segment on WDAE-AM 620 today about 7:40 a.m. ... With a spring-high crowd in excess of 1,000, several Rays wondered aloud if the team was giving something away. ... Eight players remain unsigned.

© 2006 • All Rights Reserved • St. Petersburg Times
490 First Avenue South • St. Petersburg, FL 33701 • 727-893-8111

Contact the Times | Privacy Policy
Standard of Accuracy | Terms, Conditions & Copyright