Around the Northwest League.

Byline: The Register-Guard

WEST DIVISION

EVERETT: Terry Pollreisz, who had managed the AquaSox since 1998, left the team to move up a level and has been replaced by Omer Munoz. Oleg Korneev, a 6-foot-7 right-handed pitcher from Russia, signed as a free agent last year. Returnees from 2001 include pitcher Justin Blood and catcher Rene Rivera, who was the second-round pick last year of the parent Seattle Mariners. One disappointment was Seattle's decision to keep Mike Garciaparra, younger brother of Boston's Nomar Garciaparra, in Arizona Rookie League.

SALEM-KEIZER: The defending league champions will once again be led by Fred Stanley, who is back for his third season with the Volcanoes. Roster will include at least four players also back from 2001 league champion, including pitchers Jason Waddell, Josh Cram and Scott Munter, and catcher Steve Holm. The first baseman is likely to be Derek Bell, who played in the NWL in 2000.

VANCOUVER: Oakland had seven of the first 39 picks in the recent draft, and each of those players is signed and slated to play for the Canadians. Outfielder Nick Swisher (16th pick), shortstop John McCurdy (26th), catcher Jeremy Brown (35th) and third baseman Mark Teahen (39th) join pitchers Joseph Blanton (24th), Ben Fritz (30th) and Steve Obenchain (37th) as early selections by A's. First baseman Alvyn Ellis and shortstop Kirk Nordness, both former Beaverton High standouts, are also in the roster.

EAST DIVISION

BOISE: Steve McFarland returns for a second season as manager after leading the Hawks to a league-best 52-23 record last season. Parent team Chicago Cubs had four picks in first 38 of draft and used all on college pitchers. For now, 6-9, 250-pound left-handed pitcher Andrew Sisco is on hand after being a second-round choice of the Cubs in 2001, and roster also includes right-hander Jae-Kuk Ryu, signed out of a Korean high school last summer.

SPOKANE: Former Eugene manager Tom Poquette is back in Spokane for his third season as manager. The Indians will have at least a dozen players selected in this month's draft by Kansas City, including third-round pick David Jensen of BYU, the Mountain West co-player of the year. Also on hand are ninth-round pick Matt Tupman, a catcher from Massachusetts-Lowell and shortstop Adam Keim, who was picked in the 12th round.

TRI-CITY: Ron Gideon, who managed last season in the AA Southern League, takes over the Dust Devils. The pitching staff is expected to include Jeff Francis, this year's first-round pick of the parent Colorado Rockies. The 6-foot-5 Francis is the fifth Canadian to be taken in the initial round of the draft. Devils will also have three pitchers on rehab with injuries, including opening-night starter Robert Averette, a 25-year-old who finished last season with the Rockies.

YAKIMA: Former major league first baseman Mike Aldrete takes over as manager after serving as a coach for the Bears last season. Carlos Gonzalez, a reliever for Bears last year, will be opening night pitcher followed by a couple of right-handers moved up from Missoula, Sergio Lizarraga and Shane Waroff. On the roster is Brian Barden, a third baseman from Oregon State taken in the sixth round this month.

- The Register-Guard