During a game, first base is social hub for major leaguers. (Greetings on the Field).(Statistical Data Included)

EARLY LAST SEASON, ICHIRO Suzuki singled and cruised into first base, a location he would frequent throughout the summer.

Standing beside him during the next at-bat was Kansas City Royals first baseman Mike Sweeney, who doesn't speak Japanese but knew what to say.

"I went to Japan the previous year on a tour of major league players, and when someone would get a hit, they'd have this booming voice in English (on the public-address system) that would say, "Nice batting!" Sweeney said.

"So the first time Ichiro got on against us I just said in a deep voice, `Nice batting,' and he started laughing."

First base is the social hub of the baseball diamond, where for a few pitches the baserunner and defender act as if they're at a cocktail party instead of embroiled in athletic competition.

"It's usually not much, just small talk," said Anaheim first baseman Scott Spiezio. "How's the family? How many kids you got now? Where you guys going to dinner? If it's somebody you don't know, it's genetic stuff. How ya doin'? Nice day."

It's the same kind of dialogue fostered by elevators and post office lines.