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[03.18.03] Written by: Bob Pinter PWFBL Studs Fight For Starting Spots Before Opening Day With a few weeks to go before the start of the 2003 PWFBL season, a few managers are still struggling with how to fill out their lineup cards. Some roster battles have broken out in a few key spots, with guys fighting to crack the starting lineup by Opening Day. Kevin Brown vs. Jason Schmidt (4th starter, Wisconsin Wannabes): 'Bees GM Sue Conn put down big money to land a first-rate pitching staff, but Brown's fat contract has been a fixture on the bench for most of spring training. Schmidt, meanwhile, says he's got a new lease on life since leaving the Pirates. "It just feels so much better to be in Wisconsin," Schmidt said. "I mean, I've got a chance to win a league title, and there's not as much pressure to be the #1 guy these days." Brown has battled injury problems for the last two years, and Conn says she's reluctant not to put Brown out on the mound more...with what he's getting paid. Craig Biggio vs. Roberto Alomar vs. Bret Boone (2B, Michigan Twinkies): Biggio is struggling to find a roster spot on a Twinkies team that's loaded up the middle. "I may play the outfield if I have to," the former catcher told the media, but even that may be tough to crack, with Ken Griffey, Jr., Bobby Abreu, and Larry Walker chasing flies in Kalamazoo. The Twinkies have been starting Boone at second and Alomar at the designated hitter/utility spot for much of the spring, but if Robbie falters, Biggio may find himself in that spot in the batting order. Benito Santiago vs. Mike Lieberthal (C, Rocko Leopards): While many baseball experts thought Santiago was ready to hang it up, a surprising 2002 got him the starting job in Rocko this year. Lieberthal, an All-Star himself, says he's not content watching the old guy get most of the time behind the plate. "Benito's had a great career, but I think his best days are behind him," Lieberthal said in an interview this week after striking out in a pinch-hitting role against Providence. "I mean, he's, like, what, 87 years old?" One source only identified as "Moses" confirmed that Santiago is actually 86. David Eckstein vs. Jimmy Rollins (SS, Hummels Wharf Braves): One of the heroes of last year's World Series is enjoying the starting job at short for the Braves, but Rollins, a former Rookie of the Year, says he's ready to step in if something should happen to the 5'7" Eckstein. "Like, for example, he goes down the shower drain," Rollins said jokingly during spring workouts yesterday. There is talk in the Brave clubhouse that Eckstein might actually play on Rollins's shoulders during the season to create a "super" shortstop.

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Last Updated: March 18, 2003. .