11.   Maybe Evans, a pretty fair hitter in his day in the sandlots of Syracuse, could alternate with Rico as hitting instructor.

12.   Mariners bench coach and hitting instructor Lee Elia said Rodriguez is exceeding expectations, but that there was never any doubt he would become a good major league hitter.

13.   No, Don Mattingly was saying Thursday night, he is not yet ready to return full time to the Yankees as hitting instructor.

14.   Pitching coach Burt Hooton, first base coach Jose Cruz, hitting instructor Harry Spilman and bullpen coach John Tamargo are all expected to return next season.

15.   Rice remains in the public eye, having served as Red Sox hitting instructor the last three years.

16.   So he went to the batting cage with coach Manny Mota and to the video room with hitting instructor Mickey Hatcher.

17.   St. Louis hitting instructor Dave Parker feels the same way.

18.   That was the advice Anaheim hitting instructor Rod Carew gave the struggling Angels slugger and former Red Sox star Sunday.

19.   The absence of hitting instructor Tom McCraw also could factor into the sporadic offensive production.

20.   The final new coach is hitting instructor Rick Down, who replaces Mickey Hatcher.