SARASOTA, Fla. -- New Orioles manager Phil Regan is looking for pitching, and the big guns aren't around. No Ben McDonald, no Mike Mussina. No Alan Mills or Jamie Moyer or Jimmy Haynes.
What an opportunity to shine for those who are here, and two pitchers participating in the minor-league camp are catching Regan's eye: right-hander Frank Seminara and left-hander John Shea. "They are throwing the ball extremely well," Regan said.
Seminara, formerly with the San Diego Padres and New York Mets, is making adjustments to his unorthodox delivery and throwing strikes consistently. Regan said Shea could be tough against left-handers.
If the regulars were in camp, Seminara and Shea might not get this much attention. But the reality of the situation is this: The longer the strike lingers, the better the odds for Seminara and Shea and others like them to make the Orioles' Opening Day roster.
"I don't think there's any doubt in my mind it will help them," Regan said. "They're going to get a much better shot."
Seminara and Shea are pitching every other day, and will begin throwing live batting practice tomorrow. They will be ready, physically and mentally. On the other hand, if and when the strike ends, Regan will have little immediate idea of which of his major-leaguers are game-ready.
"Because these guys are in shape," Regan said, "these guys could take up innings . . . as the others work themselves into shape."
Making a choice
Triple-A and Double-A position players will begin workouts today, and sometime in the next day or two, general manager Roland Hemond plans to speak to the minor-leaguers about whether they should choose to participate in exhibition games against other minor-leaguers.
Seminara, scheduled to pitch the Orioles' second exhibition game, said he will participate.
"I'm not going to play against replacement players," Seminara said,"but these are going to be against minor-leaguers. . . . I'm not going to cross the union -- it's been good to me. . . . But in pitching against minor-leaguers, at least I'll get a chance to go along with the program."
Just back from Mars
Diane Cicora, receptionist at the Orioles' Twin Lakes Park complex, fielded a call from a fan inquiring about exhibition games early yesterday morning.
"Will the major-leaguers be there?" the caller asked.
"No, I'm sorry, they won't," Cicora replied.
Caller: "How come?"
If Judge Lance Ito is looking for an alternate juror, we have a candidate.
PITCHING PROFILES
Frank Seminara, RHP
Age: 27
Resume: Pitched in the big leagues with Padres in '92 and '93 and with the Mets in '94.
What he does well: When his pitching mechanics are sound, has a hard sinker that bores in on right-handed hitters.
Notable: When with the Padres, Seminara (Columbia, '90) and catcher Brad Ausmus (Dartmouth, '92) formed the only known all-Ivy League battery in major-league history.
John Shea, LHP
Age: 28
Resume: Pitched three full seasons and part of a fourth in Triple-A (primarily in the Toronto organization) without making it to the big leagues.
What he does well: A finesse left-hander who can be tough on lefties.
Notable: Tied for the International League lead in victories in '91, with 12 for Syracuse.