Tracy advises Bucs to talk some walks

Pittsburgh has reversed a tendency to swing away.
BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) -- For the past five years, no team in the National League has been less patient at the plate than the Pittsburgh Pirates.
But manager Jim Tracy is seizing every opportunity to try to change that, and he's getting immediate results.
Through eight exhibitions, Pittsburgh has drawn 33 walks, tied for fourth-most of any team in baseball this spring.
That's an average of more than four per game and a big increase from last season, when they averaged fewer than three.
"I'm not advocating we take the first pitch every time we walk up there," Tracy said. "But, if you're going to take a swing at a first pitch, have it be a really good swing.
"If we keep preaching that, there won't have to be a whole lot said if you make a weak out on a marginally bad first pitch. It's not the way you play winning baseball."
Near the bottom
The Pirates, losers for 13 consecutive seasons, ranked 14th in the league with 471 walks last season. The previous year, they had the fewest in the majors with 415.
Tracy pushed patience at the plate while with the Los Angeles Dodgers, and has made it a priority in the early part of spring training.
During batting practice, he applauds when he sees a hitter taking a pitch out of the zone. During games, he is at the top step to congratulate anyone displaying his preferred approach.
By contrast, his greatest displeasure has been shown when a player hacks at a high fastball on a 2-0 count with a man on third.
More selective
Even frequent swingers such as Jose Castillo, Brad Eldred and Ryan Doumit are being more selective.
"People are still rusty at the plate, but I think you're seeing it spread through our lineup already," infielder Freddy Sanchez said. "We know Jim's stressing it, and we're starting to make it happen."
Hitting coach Jeff Manto is seeking patience, too, but he is being careful not to make the case too forcefully for fear of having his players lose their aggressiveness when it comes time to swing.
"Do we want Jason Bay walking if a pitch is an inch outside and there's a man on third? I'm not so sure," Manto said. "There's a time to walk and a time to understand what's going on."
Notes
Reliever Roberto Hernandez, slowed by a sore shoulder, will throw his first batting practice of the spring Friday, but there remains no timetable for his first game. ... First baseman Sean Casey pronounced himself "completely fine" after his beaning Wednesday by Cincinnati's Michael Gosling in Sarasota, Fla. The swelling above his right eye was gone. ... Rookie starter Paul Maholm, a confirmed member of the rotation, has a 14.40 ERA after two rocky starts, but said he feels he is making progress. "Some things are starting to fall in line," he said. "Next time out should be much better."
Copyright 2006 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.