On Baseball: So far, so good

SNOW IS COVERING much of New Hampshire, but Old Man Winter can't touch the baseball season, at least not today.

The Red Sox are undefeated after stealing a win in Tokyo, and the New Hampshire Fisher Cats are making plans to mow the grass. Friday. Really.

The sun seemed to shine a little brighter yesterday after the Red Sox defeated the A's, 6-5, in 10 innings. More thoughts while preparing for another round of breakfast ball:

• Daisuke Matsuzaka nearly fell apart in the first two innings but salvaged the start by retiring his final seven batters. Despite some location issues, his changeup looked terrific and he began spotting the fastball. A no-decision wasn't the outing Dice-K wanted, but the Red Sox should be encouraged by the manner in which he finished. Like Jerry Remy said, it's still March.

• A year ago, Dustin Pedroia got off to a miserable start and was batting .172 through the first month. He kept fighting and won Rookie of the Year. His performance yesterday (2-for-4, double), along with a year under his belt, makes you wonder about another special season ahead.

• Yesterday was the first time in recent memory Boston had a pair of rookies in the opening-day lineup. Yes, Jacoby Ellsbury is still considered a rookie, and now the world knows about Brandon Moss.

• Moss, filling in for J.D. Drew, saved the day by homering in the ninth against Oakland closer Huston Street. We'll see how much longer Moss remains on the active roster. The 24-year-old, who is five days younger than Ellsbury, will need at-bats when Drew (back tightness) returns full-time. Enjoy Moss for now. He's a character and was always cracking up the clubhouse while playing with the Portland Sea Dogs.

• How about Ellsbury's wall-crashing catch in the eighth? That is most difficult play for a center fielder, racing straight back, turning and leaping. That grab cannot get enough hype.

• Think Manny Ramirez will get his 100 RBIs this season? He finished with 88 last season, saying he never quite felt right at the plate. Ramirez already has four RBIs, a pace for 648.

FISHERS COUNTDOWN

The 2008 Fisher Cats will arrive in Manchester on Monday and have an indoor practice Tuesday at New Hampshire Sportsplex in Bedford. The team will finish the day in Manchester at the SEE Science Center for a meet-and-greet with season ticket holders at 6 p.m.

Players have not been given their minor-league assignments but the Double-A roster is starting to be pieced together. Outfielders Aaron Mathews and Ryan Patterson will likely return, and top prospect Travis Snider will join the Fisher Cats as soon as his sore elbow completely heals.

Toronto farm director Dick Scott has indicated Ricky Romero, a No. 1 pick in 2005, will probably return. Reliever Connor Falkenbach, who pitched a scoreless inning for the Blue Jays yesterday, is also expected to head north.

MERCH MATCHUPS

The High School Baseball Series returns to Merchantsauto.com Stadium with nine games this season, beginning with Mascenic of New Ipswich against Newport on April 12.

Not only can student-athletes play on a perfect Double-A diamond, they can raise money for their own programs. Participating schools purchase 250 Fisher Cats tickets at $3 below face value, then resell those tickets at the regular price to raise $750.

"We're happy to see small and large schools alike from all over the state benefiting from this unique program," Fisher Cats President/General Manager Rick Brenner said.

Indeed, teams from all four divisions have scheduled games: April 16, Concord vs. Goffstown; April 26, Franklin vs. Winnisquam of Tilton; April 28, Bow vs. Merrimack Valley of Penacook; May 1, Hopkinton vs. Somersworth; May 5, Milford vs. Souhegan of Amherst; May 11, Coe-Brown of Northwood vs. Pelham; May 22, Moultonborough vs. Pittsfield; May 23, Derryfield of Manchester vs. Wilton-Lyndeborough.

"The NHIAA is again very excited to be continuing its relationship with the Fisher Cats," NHIAA Executive Director Pat Corbin said. "It would seem that the potential to benefit the student-athletes in New Hampshire will only continue to grow and improve through the collaborative efforts of the NHIAA and the Fisher Cats organization."

Staff writer Kevin Gray covers baseball for the New Hampshire Union Leader and New Hampshire Sunday News. His e-mail address is kgray@unionleader.com