11.   Bautista is not considered as nimble with the bat as Counsell, who is a gifted bunter capable of moving up leadoff hitter Tony Womack if Womack gets on.

12.   Batting behind leadoff hitter Chad Fonville and before Piazza, Mondesi said, could help.

13.   Besides another outfielder, the Mets seek a leadoff hitter who could play second base.

14.   Both could have been candidates to replace Nixon as the leadoff hitter.

15.   A leadoff hitter and a pitcher with the velocity and control to finish.

16.   A quintessential leadoff hitter in the National League for years, Raines made his reputation not with the long ball, but with the long strides of a sprinter.

17.   A single and stolen base by leadoff hitter Delino DeShields put Halama on the spot in the first inning.

18.   Abbott took second on the play and scored on a single to left by leadoff hitter Ray Durham.

19.   About the only thing associated with a leadoff hitter that Henderson did not do was steal a base.

20.   --Add a leadoff hitter, who should also be a center fielder.