Spring baseball

By DAMIAN CRISTODERO
Published February 13, 2005

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

WHEN: Pitchers and catchers begin workouts Feb. 20. The full squad begins workouts Feb. 25. Workouts generally are from 9 a.m.-1 p.m.

WHERE: Cecil B. Englebert Complex, 1700 Solon Ave., Dunedin. The team moves to Knology Park, 373 Douglas Ave., when spring training games begin.

WHAT TO WATCH: Who will replace Carlos Delgado's offense? A burning question since, even with the slugger, Toronto was 12th last season in batting average, home runs and runs. It would help if Eric Hinske (15 home runs, 69 RBIs) could get back to his 2002 form. Finding a closer (Justin Speier or Jason Frasor seem most likely) rather than filling the job by committee also is a priority. And the team will get a huge boost if ace Roy Halladay comes back strong after missing two months with a tired shoulder.

SPRING TRAINING TICKET INFORMATION

Lower club seats $18, upper club and 100 outfield reserved $15 and 200 level outfield $13. On sale online at www.bluejays.com or www.dunedinbluejays.com by phone toll-free at 1-800-707-8269, by e-mail at dunedin.tickets@bluejays.com by fax at 727 734-7661, by mail 373 Douglas Ave., No. A, Dunedin, 34698 and at Knology Park box office.

CALL: 733-0429.

WHEN: Pitchers and catchers begin workouts Thursday. The full squad begins workouts Feb. 22. Workouts generally begin between 9 and 10 a.m. and run about three hours. WHERE: Legends Field, 1 Steinbrenner Drive, Tampa. Corner of Dale Mabry Highway and Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. WHAT TO WATCH: Never a dull moment around Yankees camp. Randy Johnson was brought in to help revive a rotation whose inconsistency was one reason the team leaned so heavily on the bullpen. And who knows what the fallout will be from Jason Giambi's admission he knowingly used steroids. A year after becoming the first team in a century to lose three 15-game winners (Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte and David Wells), the Yankees became the first team to gain three with Johnson, Carl Pavano and Jaret Wright. A good battle is shaping up in the bullpen, where five pitchers are vying for four spots behind Mariano Rivera and Tom Gordon.

SPRING TRAINING TICKET INFORMATION

Tickets on sale at the Legends Field box office. 100 level inside bases are $19, 100 level outside bases $17, 200 level inside bases $15 and 200 level outside are $13. An order form for season tickets is available at www.legendsfieldtampa.com CALL: 813 879-2244 or (813) 875-7753.

[Last modified February 13, 2005, 01:08:17]