Party Protests for the Hex of It

Some Libertarian party members, unhappy that public funds were used to build the Arizona Diamondbacks’ ballpark, have threatened to hex fans today as they attend the expansion team’s first game in the stadium.

Bank One Ballpark, a $354-million stadium with a mammoth retractable roof, was built in part with a quarter-cent sales tax that raised $238 million.

“We have a real witch who’s going to give a curse,” said Ernest Hancock, the party chairman.

Hancock said his supporters will be in the area before to today’s exhibition game against the Chicago White Sox trying to jinx anyone who mentions the team name or who has Diamondback merchandise.

Hancock’s wife has registered “D.B. Jinx” as a trademark with the Arizona Secretary of State’s Office with an eye to potential T-shirts and bumper stickers to boost the effort.

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Lee Smith, who holds the major league record for saves with 478, has left the Kansas City Royals’ camp after getting caught up in a numbers crunch and refusing a triple-A assignment.

Royal Manager Tony Muser had wanted to keep Smith, who was making a comeback after announcing his retirement from Montreal last July. But in Jim Pittsley and Brian Bevil, the Royals have two younger relievers who are out of options.

They would have to be exposed to the waiver wire before the Royals could send them to the minors.

Muser asked Smith, 40, on Friday if he would accept assignment to triple-A Omaha. Smith cleaned out his locker sometime Friday night and did not report to practice on Saturday.

Muser was not aware on Saturday that Smith had decided to leave.

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Jim Leyritz came to spring training thinking he merely needed to get in shape for opening day. That attitude might have cost him his job.

Leyritz was told this week that he will not be doing much, if any, catching for the Boston Red Sox this season. He will be the designated hitter against left-handed pitchers and get assorted at-bats as an outfielder and first baseman.

“I’m completely dumbfounded by the whole thing,” he said Saturday before Boston’s spring finale, a 10-5 victory over the Minnesota Twins. “I thought I was coming in to get ready for April 1st. But I guess they still consider me a 19-year-old rookie and I’ve got to win a job.”

Leyritz, with his third team in 18 months, didn’t ask the Red Sox to trade him. But he made it clear that that’s what he wants if that’s what it takes to get more playing time.

Leyritz was acquired from the Texas Rangers over the winter along with Damon Buford in exchange for Aaron Sele, Bill Haselman and Mark Brandenburg. The Red Sox said at the time that they were counting on Leyritz to improve the catching defense.

So what changed that?

“Varitek changed that,” Manager Jimy Williams said.

Jason Varitek hit .387 with three home runs this spring, including one Saturday.

Scott Hatteberg, who won the job last spring and was impressive during his rookie season, batted .318 in exhibition play.