Miner outfielder not over the hill yet

It doesn't show when he's on the field, but the birth date listed next to Darryl Brinkley's name is correct.

Brinkley, who was born on Dec. 23, 1968, is the oldest player in this year's Arizona Winter League. There are five other 30-somethings in the league, and this 39-year old has the second-best batting average (.346) on his Canada Miners team as of Friday's games. He also helped set the offensive tone for the league on Opening Night when he crushed a solo home run in the top of the sixth inning.

"I get a few at-bats, but that's not the reason that I'm here," said Brinkley, who hails form Norwalk, Conn. "My main goal down here is to help these kids get signed. They're always asking a lot of questions, they work hard, they listen and they want to get better, and I appreciate that."

Brinkley said he has no problems getting along with his teammates, a handful of which are nearly half his age, and offered three reasons regarding how he manages to stay just as active.

"I've cooled out with the night life, don't drink alcohol, and you have to work out, hard," he said.

Here, there, everywhere|

Among the Yuma Scorpions helping them maintain their lead-leaguing batting average is outfielder Randy Ditzer, who is in a five-way tie for the lead in the AWL in on-base percentage (.600), tied for third in stolen bases (four) and fifth in individual batting average (.438).

"That's my goal, is to get on base," said Ditzer, a resident of Pleasant Hills, Mo. "Whether it's being hit by a ball, a base on balls or a simple hit, its been big to me. I know I can get to second get to third easily with my speed, so I take pride in my on-base percentage."

Ditzer has also shown his value with a glove as well. Playing in center field on during Thursday's windy afternoon game against Canada, he made an over-the-shoulder basket catch that had Scorpions Mike Marshall comparing the play to Willie Mays' famous catch in the 1954 World Series.

"Vic Wertz didn't hit it, did he?" Marshall said, referencing the man whose hit was robbed by the Hall of Famer. "That was amazing."

Same face, temporary place|

Golden Baseball League fans familiar with the St. George Roadrunners will recognize a number of players in the from last year's team masquerading as San Diego Surf Dawgs this month. Seven total players, including Surf Dawgs manager Cory Snyder, were kept together for the league much like Marshall and his Scorpions from last summer. The other Roadrunners are Shannon Sprouse, Brett Flowers, Dustin Hicks, Marcos Villezcas, Geoff Wagner and Steven Wright.

League leaders|

At the halfway point of the AWL, some of the league's players are already separating themselves from the rest of the field in specific areas. As of Saturday, Blythe's Steve Alexander was the only hitter with more than 13 RBI (20), and Canada's Jono Brooks 13 steals are eight ahead of San Diego's Hong Kim and Sonora's Marcus Davis

The Scorpions meanwhile have two of top three pitchers in the league. James Kuzniak is the only pitcher to throw 10 innings and maintain an ERA below one (0.70), and Ray Devaul is third at 1.62. Yuma's Tyler Pearson (1.91) and Craig Neu (2.10) are also among the AWL's ten lowest ERAs.