It's Hammerhead Time for Jupiter

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There is a lot to do in Minor League baseball even before you start pre-workout stretching.

Before his team conducted its first workout on the main field at Roger Dean Stadium Wednesday, Jupiter Hammerheads manager Tim Cossins dealt with uniforms, the press and 1,000 other details.

It wasn't fashion but fit that concerned infielder Juan Figueroa, one of the Hammerheads' 11 returning players, who thought his batting practice jersey was "too huge."

"It's the same number I had last year, but this jersey is too big," the infielder said as he showed how loose the fit was.

Not wanting to change out numbers so early, Cossins told Figueroa to stick with the current top, noting they haven't been washed yet and probably would shrink.

"I think it looks great," the manager said.

Cossins, who starts his second season as the Hammerheads manager, had his own wardrobe malfunction when clubhouse manager Jeff Edelstein didn't like his pants. He made Cossins change.

"I was in the tunnel coming out, and he said I had to change pants," Cossins said.

Uniforms straightened out, the team finally got on the field for a late afternoon workout.

There were still a lot of details to work out before fungos.

One player casually mentioned to Cossins: "I had my first ambulance ride yesterday."

News to Cossins.

"Why? And are you alright?" the surprised manager asked.

It turns out the players was dehydrated and had blacked out at supper the night before. Properly re-hydrated, the players was ready for practice.

The Hammerheads open the season with 10 players who spent all or part of last year at Jupiter ? although four will start the FSL season on the disabled list ? but there are a lot of new additions to the Marlins program in the lineup.

The roster includes the Florida Marlins top draft pick from last year, right-handed pitcher Jacob Marceaux out of McNeese State, and pitchers Jesus Delgado and Harvey Garcia, who were acquired in the trade with the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Josh Beckett and third baseman Mike Lowell.

Infielder Grant Psomas comes over as part of the trade to the Mets for Carlos Delgado and pitcher Gabriel Hernandez and outfielder David Brinkley come over after the Paul LoDuca trade.

"We benefited greatly from all those trades," Cossins said.

Although Cossins and his staff ? returning pitching coach Reid Cornelius and new hitting coach Darin Everson ? have been working with the Marlins' farm hands since spring training began, but they've only had the final version of the Hammerheads since Monday.

"For most of these guys it does take a while for them to get acclimated but, hopefully, that is over now," Cossins said.

With the influx of new pitchers, the Hammerheads should have "an outstanding bullpen," Cossins said.

"Our starters seem to be in good shape," he said.

"Our offense should be pretty good, it just depends on who gets out of the block and who puts a good season together."

The Hammerheads are coming off a 65-71 year.

"That doesn't really matter now," said Cossins. "That's the beauty of baseball ? it starts over every year and we play every single day."

Winning and losing isn't the bottom line in the Minor Leagues, getting players ready for the Major League is why they are here, Cossins said, and the Hammerheads did a good job at that sending outfielder Reggie Abercrombie and pitchers Jason Vargas and Carlos Martinez up the ladder to the Big Show.

"Our guys look around and see there is movement and there is opportunity," Cossins said.

"They know if they do well, they'll move up. That's a luxury (in the Marlins organization). There are some clubs where it isn't like that. It's a good situation to be in as a player.

"I love to see the guys move it. It's there career," he said.

But even with a fluid lineup, Cossins still wants to win.

"To be honest, I want to win as much as possible but that's now why I'm in the game. It's to develop players but do I want to win? Absolutely. I don't ever want to lose," he said.

The Class A Florida State League is very competitive, Cossins said.

"I think the key to any success in this league is to get off to a good start ? not necessarily a great start or a 15-2 start ? but a decent start, maybe a couple of games over .500," he said.

"Usually at some point you're going to hit a stride and at some point that will propel you," he said.