Devil Rays Await Word From Piniella

Lou Piniella was offered the job as manager of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays on Tuesday and now must decide if he wants to work at home or merely closer to it.

Details of the deal were not disclosed, but it was believed to be a three- or four-year offer with an average salary that is more than the $2.5 million Piniella was to earn as manager of the Seattle Mariners in 2003.

Piniella lives in Tampa in the off-season and wants to work closer to his family. He is also being pursued by the New York Mets.

A ban on major announcements during the World Series forced the Devil Rays to cancel an afternoon news conference at Tropicana Field, where General Manager Chuck LaMar planned to give an update on the club’s pursuit of Piniella.

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Former Chicago White Sox general manager Ron Schueler was interviewed for the same position with the Boston Red Sox.

Team President Larry Lucchino said the interview with Schueler was “very positive.”

Schueler stepped down as general manager of the White Sox two years ago.

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The 15-year-old boy who ran on the field with his father to attack a Kansas City Royal coach pleaded guilty and was released to his family.

The boy and William R. Ligue Jr. were charged in the September beating of coach Tom Gamboa during a game between the Royals and the Chicago White Sox.

Assistant Public Defender Vincent Akers said the boy pleaded guilty to one charge of aggravated battery and two counts of mob action for striking Gamboa and an off-duty state trooper who was working security at the game. At his sentencing Nov. 7 he could face probation or incarceration until he is 21, Akers said.

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Florida Marlin second baseman Luis Castillo is scheduled to undergo arthroscopic surgery on his right hip today in Pittsburgh to repair a torn labrum discovered during his routine postseason physical.