"It takes pressure off the other guys," the pitcher said of such an addition.

"Little pitchers," she said in a low voice but the child heard it and her heart began to beat very fast.

And, the pitcher said, they have to make themselves stop.

"I never did find where they were sitting," the pitcher said.

A variety of substances can be used, the pitcher said.

That, the pitcher says, is just how things have worked out.

I'm working on a new pitch, the pitchers can say.

"The best thing about this relationship is that it's important to know your players," the former pitcher said.

But he quickly added, "The pitcher better not say it was me."

The team reports that all three pitchers say they are ready to begin spring training.