ANGELS NOTEBOOK: ANGELS SAY EDISON FIELD SECURE.

Byline: Gabe Lacques Staff Writer

TEMPE, Ariz. - Tim Mead, the Angels' vice president of communications, said the security standards at Edison Field will be no different than recent years should the country still be at war opening night, March 30.

After Sept. 11, 2001, major-league stadiums upgraded their security procedures, and the Angels also got a good sense for heightened security since they hosted four games of the World Series last fall. Mead said no matter the level of terror alert, security standards will remain the same.

``We haven't changed since Sept. 18, 2001,'' he said, noting the first game at Edison Field after the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks. ``We have not become lenient since Sept. 11. Major League Baseball has guidelines provided and we work closely with the Anaheim Police Department.''

--Case of shingles: Scott Spiezio was relieved to discover a gnawing pain in his right side did not involve his rib cage or an oblique muscle. Instead, it was determined to be a case of the shingles.

Spiezio sat out the Angels' 5-0 loss to the Chicago White Sox on Friday, but he did hit in a batting cage. He first felt the pain four days ago and then became concerned when a rash developed. The pain is expected to subside within a week, and he can play in the interim.

``It's painful,'' he said. ``It feels like I pulled my side, all the way around my back. If I can tolerate the pain, I can play. I've been doing everything, it's just that it's the worst today as far as pain.''

Shortstop David Eckstein also sat out, with pain in a hip flexor, but he should play today. Reserve infielder Alfredo Amezaga was hit by a pitch in the left elbow in the seventh inning and left the game. X-rays revealed no break and Amezaga said it's just a bruise.

--It's in the air: With its thin air, the Cactus League is supposed to be a haven for hitters. But through 23 games, the Angels are batting just .251 as a team, with Adam Kennedy (.205) and Shawn Wooten (.177) particularly struggling. Manager Mike Scioscia said he is not concerned.

``We're not looking for batting average in spring training,'' he said. ``Even though it's a hitter's league and we're not hitting, we're looking at it the same way as if they're hitting .400. The bat speed's there. I know they're going to be there.''

--Who's on the mound? The Angels have not named an opening-day starter, though it appears they are leaning toward John Lackey. Today, Lackey will throw about 90 pitches at the Angels' minor-league complex in Mesa, Ariz., rather than face the Texas Rangers, their opening-night opponent, in Surprise.

CAPTION(S):

box

Box:

ANGELS vs. TEXAS

- Gabe Lacques