The boys of winter. (The Closer).

As we put 2002 to bed and think about 2003, there are guys who are playing now who will have an impact on the 2003 season. They are playing winter ball.

Winter ball is what it says it is. There are leagues in Mexico, Puerto Rico, Venezuela and the Dominican Republic. The seasons start in October and end in early February with the Caribbean Series, which includes the best teams from the four leagues. The best Latin players and the top American prospects play. Many Latin superstars play every winter and are made to feel almost guilty if they don't represent their country.

Players go to winter ball for different reasons. Minor leaguers go for the experience. They learn to play in front of large crowds, about 20,000 each night. Big leaguers who aren't established go. Some go to work on a new pitch. A position player might go because his team wants him to learn a new position.

When I went, I was a minor leaguer who needed the experience. I had never played in front of 20,000 people before. The first time, I was so nervous I couldn't breathe. My coach at the time was my Class AA manager, and little did I know he was there to watch me to see how I handled the crowd and the pressure of the games. Playing in winter ball was the single best thing to prepare for all that.

There is a lot of pressure put on Americans in winter ball. Major League Baseball organizations tell ...