MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL NOTEBOOK: THIS IS A PROBLEM HE LIKES HAVING KUBEL ENJOYS PLAYING BEFORE LARGE CROWDS AND UNDER LIGHTS.

Byline: Chris Cocoles Staff Writer

Maybe one of Jason Kubel's biggest hurdles to leap this baseball season had nothing to do with his swing or glove.

``This is really the first time I've played much at all under the lights or in front of fans,'' Kubel told the Quad City (Iowa) Times.

That's because the Highland High of Palmdale alumnus' first two years in the Minnesota Twins' organization were spent in Fort Myers, Fla., with the club's rookie-level club in the Gulf Coast League. There are no typical minor-league gimmicks such as the fan- and feather-friendly Chicken Dance in the stands or the rigged mascot races featuring goofy-looking creatures tripped by the third-base coach to allow a 7-year-old to beat them around the bases.

It's just baseball under the hot sun in miserably humid Florida saunas masquerading as ballparks.

Kubel, drafted by the Twins in the 12th round of the 2000 draft, overcame the weather and the bland atmosphere to perform at the lowest level of the organization. And the outfielder hasn't disappointed when Minnesota tested him in the full-season Midwest League with the Single-A Quad City River Bandits.

``It's great coming to the park when you know people are there rooting for you and your team,'' Kubel said. ``It's a whole new atmosphere and something that's been great. It provides me with a lot more motivation.''

Playing without the minor-league lunacy didn't bother Kubel, a .331 hitter in Fort Myers last season. Playing with it hasn't fazed him, either. Kubel was batting .289 in the pitching-dominated Midwest League. He had four homers and 29 RBI and no errors in the outfield in 65 games.

``I just try to go up there and not do too much. That's when guys normally get themselves in trouble, when they try to make an at-bat more than it is,'' said Kubel, one of five Highland graduates playing in the minors. ``My approach is to be relaxed, be focused and be ready. It's a matter of doing whatever I can to get to first base, whether that's getting a hit or a walk. It all helps the team.''

The Twins have several top prospects, including ex-Lancaster Stealth star Michael Restovich, on the verge of making the major-league roster in the outfield. So Kubel won't be rushed through the system. He has played well enough at a much higher level than previously to merit a shot at Double-A next season.

``He's got an idea about what he wants to do when he steps in that batter's box, and that's something we're working with all of our guys,'' Quad City manager Jeff Carter said. ``He listens and makes adjustments easily. Not all hitters do that and if you want to play this game and have some success at it, you have to be able to adjust. Jason's done a good job of making in-game adjustments from pitcher to pitcher and situation to situation.''

--Who let the 'Dogs out? Of the other former Bulldogs playing pro baseball, catcher Jason Allec could have the best chance to advance. After a successful college career at Cal State Northridge, Allec, a 2002 34th-round pick of the Detroit Tigers, is turning heads with the pop in his bat.

After collecting six hits in his first 14 at-bats at short-season Single-A Oneonta, Allec was promoted to the Midwest League with the West Michigan Whitecaps. He's backing up regular catcher Mike Rabelo and plays sparingly. Allec also suffered a right-hand injury before Friday's game and left after one inning.

Also from Highland, pitcher Matt Parris is 2-1 with a 1.80 earned-run average for the Detroit Tigers' Gulf Coast League rookie team in Lakeland, Fla.; outfielder J.P. Schmidt is batting .300 with three homers and 10 RBI in 29 games for Single-A Visalia (Oakland A's), and first baseman John Santor was at .245 with two homers and eight RBI for Single-A New Jersey (St. Louis Cardinals).

--Boomer Sooner: Don't blame Eric Cole (A.V. High/AVC) if he starts rooting for the Oklahoma Sooners football team this fall after spending so much time in Oklahoma.

Signed by the Texas Rangers in the offseason, Cole began 2002 at Oklahoma City with the Triple-A RedHawks before being sent down to Double-A Tulsa of the Texas League entry.

Cole started slowly but has rallied and is hitting .271 with two homers and 18 RBI.

CAPTION(S):

photo

Photo:

Former Highland High player Jason Allec, left, shown against UCLA last season as a CSUN junior, was promoted to the Midwest League with the West Michigan Whitecaps in the Detroit Tigers' organization.