The Brewers will start spring training next week with a lot of IFs. Let's look at some of them:

Pitching -- Lefthander Glendon Rusch signed a two-year deal, with a club option for a third year, Tuesday, so he will be looked to as a major contributor in the starting rotation. Others should include Jamey Wright, if he has recovered from elbow problems, Ben Sheets, Ruben Quevedo and either Nick Neugebauer or Paul Rigdon. IF Sheets, Quevedo and Neugebauer develop, the rotation could be a good one.

The bullpen will have more balance with Takahito Nomura and Valerio De Los Santos joining Ray King as lefthanders. Mike DeJean and eventually Curtis Leskanic will provide the majority of middle relief from the right side. Chad Fox will start the spring, and likely the season, as the closer. More pitching depth could be added IF an infielder is traded.

Outfield -- IF they can stay healthy, Geoff Jenkins and Jeffrey Hammonds will be the mainstays in left and center respectively. Alex Ochoa and Matt Stairs likely will share right field. The Brewers could use some additional depth, especially since Jenkins and Hammonds have histories of injuries.

Infield -- Richie Sexson is set at first base and newly-acquired Eric Young at second. The left side of the infield is not as settled. Jose Hernandez will be the shortstop, but he could be traded, as could Mark Loretta, Ronnie Belliard or Tyler Houston. The Brewers have five infielders who can play short and third. That's too many. Look for a platoon at third of Houston and either Belliard or Loretta, IF a deal is made.

Catcher -- Henry Blanco and Raul Casanova will probably share this spot, with Kevin Brown also a possible factor. IF one of these guys hits a little in spring training, he could earn the majority of playing time.

Bench -- Veterans Luis Lopez and Lenny Harris will be utility players. Either Ochoa or Stairs also will be available, depending on who starts.

Management -- Davey Lopes will be scrutinized in spring and early in the season. Some think he could be gone by the All Star break, IF the Brewers have a bad first half of the season. New coaches Dave Stewart and Gary Matthews are being looked to for leadership and a get-tough attitude. It remains to be seen IF they can be more effective than Bob Apodaca and Rod Carew.

Pitchers and catchers report next Thurs., Feb. 14, and other players on Tues., Feb. 19. Look for special Spring Comes Early editions of TBCR during the week of March 18-25.

You can join GM Dean Taylor in a life chat on the Brewers' official web site, milwaukeebrewers.com, at 3 p.m. Thursday. That will come shortly after Taylor holds a teleconference with area media. Look for some of this comments in next week's TBCR.

The Brewers announced how you can reserve Helfaer Field for youth baseball games or even a family or company outing. Interested persons can call 414-902-4056. Reservations forms also can be picked up at the Brewers' offices in Miller Park or downloaded from the Brewers' web site.

Use of the field is divided into two-hour time slots. Youth teams can reserve the field for $75 on weekdays and $100 on weekends. Other groups have additional fees.

Helfaer Field will be a $3.1 million facility, which will compare favorably to any youth baseball field in the country.

As a senior lecturer at UWM, and a member of the university's Prof. Baseball team, I'm happy to see the Panthers playing a doubleheader at Miller Park against Bradley on April 24. Last year's homecoming celebration at Miller Park was cancelled because of the Sept. 11 tragedy, so these games will be the first big UWM event at the park.

Plans for contraction for this season have been scrapped. There were just too many legal challenges, and differences with the players' union to be worked out, for it to become reality.

It is still an idea worth exploring for 2003, although one of the Florida teams should be considered rather than the Minnesota Twins. Contraction also should be included in an overall, comprehensive plan to restructure baseball's economic system.

The Hall of Fame once again passed over Bob Uecker for the Ford Frick award. Most people feel it is only a matter of time before he is selected for the broadcasting award, but how long should Ueck and his fans have to wait?

As part of the OnMilwaukee.com Mustaches for Milwaukee, this writer put a $100 check in the mail this morning to the CAP Fund. I've had a mustache since my college days, which is longer ago than I care to report. I encourage any readers of this column to also become part of the charitable effort. Details can be found elsewhere on this web site.