Notes from Spring Training: Day Nine

From the Dodgers official Spring Training media notes for Monday, March 1st:

LEARNING FROM THE BEST:  The Dodgers would like to welcome Hall of Fame left-hander Sandy Koufax to Camelback Ranch. The legendary southpaw talked pitching with Eric Stults, Josh Lindblom and Jon Link before leading a MAP (Mental Approach to Pitching) session for all pitchers prior to the morning workout. He then observed hurlers Lindblom, Scott Elbert, Chad Billingsley and Ramon Troncoso during their bullpens, spending some extra time with Billingsley and taking in Maury Wills’ bunting drills at Maury’s Pit.

DIALING IT UP:  Today the Dodgers welcomed broadcasters Charley Steiner and Pepe Yñiguez to Camelback Ranch.  Steiner will kick off his sixth season and Yñiguez his 13th year with the club on the Dodger Radio Network’s broadcast of the Spring Opener this Friday on KABC 790 and KHJ 930 in Los Angeles.

THE SITUATION:  The Dodgers opened this morning’s practice with a situational hitting and baserunning drill that had players work on bunting, hit-and-run plays, advancing a baserunner from second to third base and bringing a runner in from third on a contact play.  The drill, devised by Bob Schaefer and Jeff Pentland, comprised of four teams chosen by captains Rafael Furcal, Matt Kemp, James Loney and Russell Martin with points awarded for successful conversions. Today’s winners were Team Loney and Team Furcal with the round robin competition continuing over the next few days.

MONEY BALL: In his recently published book Gold Mine 2010, baseball analyst Bill James rated the Dodgers No. 11 in “Young Talent Inventory” overall and first in young pitching talent.  Making James’ top 20 list of young Major League ballplayers was center fielder Matt Kemp, who ranked No. 11.

GOOD ‘OL OISK: The Dodgers would like to congratulate legendary pitcher Carl Erskine on winning the 2010 Sachem Award, which is the highest honor the state of Indiana can bestow. The award, which will be given to Erskine tomorrow by Indiana Governor Mitch Daniels, is presented annually to recognize a lifetime of excellence and moral virtue that has brought credit and honor to Indiana. Previous recipients include college basketball coaching legend John Wooden and the Reverend Theodore M. Hesburgh, C.S.C., president emeritus of the University of Notre Dame. Erskine, 83, pitched for Brooklyn and Los Angeles from 1948-59 and won 122 games, pitched in five World Series, made the National League All-Star team and threw two no-hitters.

BRING YOUR “A” GAME: Tomorrow at 11:00 a.m. on Field 1, the Dodgers and White Sox will square off in the first “B” game of Spring Training. Lefty Eric Stults will get the start with RHP Travis Schlichting, LHP Brent Leach, RHP Carlos Monasterios, LHP Armando Zerpa, RHP Javy Guerra and RHP Kenley Jansen scheduled to pitch.  The White Sox will counter with Gavin Floyd, Carlos Torres, Daniel Cabrera and Daniel Hudson.

IT’S ABOUT THAT TIME: Yes, there is a “B” game scheduled for March 2, but the real Cactus League slate officially kicks off March 5 when the Dodgers play a “road” game against the Chicago White Sox. As of this moment, Vicente Padilla will start the contest for the Dodgers and be followed to the mound by RHP Ramon Ortiz, RHP Charlie Haeger, RHP Luis Ayala, RHP Scott Dohmann and RHP Jon Link. The White Sox are scheduled to counter with LHP Mark Buehrle, RHP Jeff Marquez, RHP Scott Linebrink, RHP J.J. Putz, RHP Santo Luis and RHP Freddie Dolsi.

SINGLE-GAME TICKETS ON SALE MARCH 6: Dodgers single-game tickets go on sale on Saturday, March 6 at 10:00 a.m. online, by phone and at Dodger Stadium. The team will hold an on-sale event in Lot P at Dodger Stadium with Dodger legends Ron Cey and “Sweet” Lou Johnson, and all fans purchasing at least one ticket will receive two free tickets to the Dodgers’ exhibition home opener against the Indians on April 1. Dodger Dogs will be available for $2 and merchandise kiosks will be open as well.