Doumit surprised at catcher duties

He thought he’d make the Pirates’ roster as an outfielder this year.

BRADENTON, Fla. (AP) — When he arrived at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ spring training camp last month — 20 pounds lighter following an offseason in which chicken was in and pizza and apple pie were out — Ryan Doumit figured the last thing he needed was a catcher’s mitt.

Put it in the Doumit family trophy case, perhaps, or maybe donate it to charity, but wear it during a game? Not a chance.

“I thought my catching days were numbered. I thought I would be spending more time in the outfield,” said Doumit, who is now assured of going north as one of the Pirates’ two catchers. “But the way things are working out, I can see myself getting a lot of playing time behind the plate, so I’m all for it.”

Apparently, all those hours Doumit put in working with John Russell three years ago made an impression.

Russell, then the Pirates’ third base coach and now their manager, worked extensively with Doumit on the intricacies of catching in the big leagues — knowing what pitches to call and when, properly blocking balls in the dirt and preventing stolen bases.

Russell was a catcher himself for 10 seasons and once caught one of Nolan Ryan’s seven career no-hitters.

“J.R.’s a guy that I’ve felt has always been in my corner,” Doumit said. “He’s got a lot to offer and I’ve got a lot to learn from him. He was the guy I worked out with most, whenever it came to doing drills and that, it was always me and him.”

While Doumit arrived in the majors that season as a catcher, he has been playing the position less and less, instead getting more playing time at first base and in right field. He caught 50 games in 2005 but only 39 combined in the last two seasons.

When newly hired general manager Neal Huntington suggested at the end of last season that Doumit lose weight, Doumit worked out longer and harder than before, with the intention of becoming lighter and faster.

Only to find himself catching regularly when the exhibition games began.

“Right now I feel like I’m in the best shape of my life. I came into camp 20 pounds lighter and the way my workout regimen has been, I feel strong and healthy,” said Doumit, who now weighs in the low 200s.

The surprise is that he made the club as a catcher, rather than as a multidimensional player with a power bat who can play a variety of positions. Now that all the other catchers who were in camp have been reassigned to the minors, Doumit and two-year starter Ronny Paulino will go north as the Pirates’ only two catchers.

Russell has not named an everyday regular and said Sunday that the two will divide time the final week of spring training.

Paulino looked to be a future star after hitting .310 as a rookie in 2006, but regressed defensively and offensively last season as his average dropped to .263. He also had trouble handling routine throws to the plate and had eight passed balls.

Doumit’s biggest problem has been staying healthy, as hamstring problems significantly shortened his last two seasons, so he hopes his stricter training regimen will allow him to play more and play better. He hits when he plays, producing 21 home runs and 84 RBIs in 632 career at-bats. He hit .274 with nine homers and 32 RBIs last season but was limited to 83 games.

“I think catching is one of those positions where, if you want to be really good at it, you’ve got to do it consistently,” Doumit said. “You can’t be one of these catch once- or twice-a-week guys and be a really good catcher. I think the more I get back there, the better I’m going to be.”