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Hitters given quick lessons on high strike

By JOHN ROMANO and MIKE READLING

© St. Petersburg Times, published February 28, 2001

ST. PETERSBURG -- The high strike arrived at the Rays spring training complex Tuesday afternoon. Then it disappeared over the leftfield fence.

With umpire Jim McKean calling the pitches for an intrasquad game, the Rays got their first look at the new "textbook" definition of a strike.

The count was 3-and-0 on Damian Rolls when McKean called a strike above the infielder's belt. Rolls turned and asked McKean if the strike zone went any higher and McKean said it probably was another 2 inches higher.

When the next high pitch came, Rolls swung and drilled a homer to left.

"The next one that came in there was too close for comfort. It was a fastball right around the same spot, so I was hacking at it," Rolls said. "The umpires are getting used to calling that pitch and I've got to find out if I can handle it. It was an intrasquad game, so I figured I might as well take my swings and see which pitches I can handle up there."

McKean gave a short demonstration to the players before the intrasquad game, preparing them for the changes in the way strikes will be called.

"It was a good idea for them to come out here and talk to us. Jim did a good job of explaining everything," catcher Mike DiFelice said. "It sounds like they're going to hold the umpires to this and they're going to hold the players to this."

Most players said they would wait until games are played before deciding how big an impact it might have on the game. Pitchers agreed that only those who throw in the 90s will get away with high pitches, otherwise they will see more shots like the one Rolls hit.

"I'm not going to read too much into it. If it's a strike, it's a strike and they'll call it," pitcher Albie Lopez said. "You still have to change speeds and put the ball in the zone to be effective. I don't think it's going to change how guys pitch."

THE ACTION BEGINS: A crowd of about 1,000 watched Hal McRae's team beat Terry Collins' team 5-4 in the seven-inning intrasquad game. Rolls, Ron Wright and Derrick Gibson hit home runs. Gibson also hit a batting practice home run more than 400 feet, breaking a window in the clubhouse. He is believed to be the first Rays player to reach the clubhouse.

FACING THE IRISH: Travis Harper will be the starting pitcher when the Rays face Notre Dame on Thursday in an exhibition game at Florida Power Park.

Manager Larry Rothschild said most veterans will stay in the game for one at-bat. He also said he would try to use all of the position players in the game, although the Rays have 36 in camp.

"It's going to be a challenge," Rothschild said. "But I'll try to get as many in as I can."

NEW ARRIVAL: Darren Daulton's wife Nicole gave birth to a 7-pound, 15-ounce girl Tuesday afternoon. Savannah Yevette is the couple's first child.

SCHOOL DAYS: Brent Abernathy, Doug Creek, Jason Tyner, Matt White and Mike DiFelice were filmed by Pinellas County public school students for vignettes that will be shown at schools in the county as educational tools.

CONTRACT NEWS: Russ Johnson and Aubrey Huff agreed to one-year contracts.

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