ST. PETERSBURG - The Devil Rays weren't going over rocket science or alternative ways of balancing the federal budget, but they did hit the books, so to speak, Wednesday.
"We had a nice skull session," Rays manager Lou Piniella said.
With wet fields from Tuesday night's rain, the Rays were forced indoors Wednesday morning. Pitchers threw off mounds and the hitters took light batting practice, but most of the morning was spent talking baseball.
Yes, even major-leaguers need to be reminded about fundamentals, things as simple as where to throw the ball.
Piniella went over bunt plays as well as relay and cutoff throws. New adviser Don Zimmer tossed in a new safety squeeze play. Batting coach Lee Elia went over some hitting fundamentals. Third-base coach Tom Foley talked about infield defense. And first-base coach Billy Hatcher went over outfield defense.
"We just talked baseball," Piniella said. "It was fun."
And productive. The best part of the day was the Rays didn't lose much in terms of work even though their spring seems short because of the trip to Japan in late March.
"We're fortunate we have a complex here where we can get a lot of work done even when the weather is bad," Piniella said. "It's also good that it's still early enough in the spring. We'll be able to make up the work with no problem."
RIGHTY-LEFTY: For much of his career, Piniella was considered a platoon player. Often with the Yankees, Piniella would start the season playing almost exclusively against left-handed pitching. Usually as the season progressed, Piniella played every day.
Maybe that's why he is not a big fan of platooning players. He said he doesn't mind having a platoon situation at "one or two spots," but no more than that. The Rays figured to platoon Geoff Blum and Damian Rolls at third and others, such as Eduardo Perez and Robert Fick, might see action, depending on who is pitching.
Though Piniella doesn't want a platoon in three or four positions, he does want everybody to play.
"It keeps people more involved," Piniella said. "Forget the production on the field. It keeps the clubhouse alive. The guys know their roles. They know they're going to play. They stay ready. They're in a better frame of mind. It creates a team spirit. There are a lot of benefits to it."
WATCH THOSE ARMS: They throw every day. Piniella doesn't want to see any come down with a sore arm. It could be devastating this time of year.
The pitchers? Nah, we're talking about the coaches.
Wednesday's change in schedule meant the coaches, as usual, had to throw another day's worth of batting practice.
That's what happens during the season, too, as coaches Foley, Hatcher and, this year, pitching coach Chuck Hernandez will throw BP most days.
This time of year, Piniella, believe it or not, is just as concerned about his BP pitchers as his regular pitchers.
"That's one of the concerns this time of year," Piniella said. "The same way pitchers develop arm problems, the coaches can do that by overthrowing, especially early. ... You got to be careful not to overload them."
MISCELLANY: Relief pitcher Lance Carter will throw the ceremonial first pitch on Saturday at 8:30 a.m. at Fossil Park Little League in St. Petersburg. ... The Progress Energy/Tampa Bay Devil Rays FanFest will be held Saturday and Sunday, March 6-7 at Tropicana Field. Admission and parking are free.
