Beltre Has Fielding Tools, but He Gets Hammered

By JASON REID

Sept. 8, 2000 12 AM PT

Adrian Beltre is as frustrated as the Dodgers about his play.

Beltre is second among National League third basemen with 22 errors. He had a team-high 29 last season, most by a Dodger infielder since Jose Offerman had 35 in 1995.

Beltre has a strong arm, is considered one of the most athletic players at his position and takes pride in playing defense.

So what’s the problem?

“Sometimes I just have to concentrate more,” Beltre said. “Sometimes you rush to make a play when you don’t have to, and that’s when things happen.

“I try to take my time to make sure I make a good throw, but sometimes I don’t. Even when you know what you’re supposed to do, you have to keep reminding yourself to do it again.”

Manager Davey Johnson said Beltre will improve.

“He’s only in his second [full] year,” Johnson said. “I mean, he’s just young.

“He still does some things, like backing up on the ball, that put him in a bad position. But that’s what you’re going to have when you’re learning over there.”

Beltre said he must work harder.

“You just have to keep trying to get better,” he said. “I’m young and I’m going to make mistakes, but I know I can do better.”

The Dodgers took a significant step toward remaining at Dodgertown for spring training when officials in Vero Beach, Fla., approved a 20-year, $20-million agreement to retain the club.

The city council and Indian River County board of supervisors ratified a proposal to purchase the sprawling Dodgertown complex, make improvements and lease it to the team.

Dodger vice presidents Sam Fernandez and Craig Callan were the club’s point men in negotiations.

“This is a significant step toward bringing closure to our spring training situation,” said Derrick Hall, senior vice president.

The process now moves to the state level.

The Dodgers must submit a funding request to the state by Oct. 1.

The state is expected to grant funding, but Gov. Jeb Bush might take as many as 60 days to approve the final stage of the process.

An attorney representing the Dodgers in connection with the May 16 melee in the stands at Wrigley Field plans to file a motion today to quash subpoenas for players and team officials to testify Sept. 18 at a criminal hearing for one of three men charged with disorderly conduct.

ON DECK

* Opponent--Colorado Rockies, three games.

* Site--Coors Field.

* Tonight--6 PDT.

* TV--Channel 5, today and Sunday.

* Radio--KXTA (1150), KWKW (1330).

* Records--Dodgers 73-67, Rockies 71-68.

* Record vs. Rockies--5-1.

TONIGHT

DODGERS’

KEVIN BROWN

(12-5, 2.62 ERA)

vs.

ROCKIES’

BRIAN BOHANON

(8-9, 5.16 ERA)

* Update--Brown pitched well in his last outing but got a no-decision in Saturday’s 1-0, 10-inning victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Dodger Stadium. The right-hander gave up four hits in seven scoreless innings and struck out nine. The Rockies trail the third-place Dodgers by only 1 1/2 games in the National League West. Todd Helton’s quest to become the first player to hit .400 since Ted Williams in 1941 has ended in September. He is four for 24 in the month and has fallen from .395 to .384.

* Saturday, noon PDT--Chan Ho Park (15-8, 3.45) vs. Masato Yoshii (5-14, 5.81).

* Sunday, noon PDT--Darren Dreifort (10-8, 4.61) vs. Brian Rose (3-2, 4.28).

ALMANAC

Dodgers 2000 Season Almanac Through Thursday

Dodger record:

overall 73-67

in home games 35-33

in road games 38-34

vs. NL East 23-21

vs. NL Central 27-25

vs. NL West 17-12

vs. American League 6-9