Spring

American LeagueEast DivisionOriolesSite: Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) StadiumManager: Davey Johnson (2nd season).Full squad reports: Wednesday.New blood: P Jimmy Key, SS Mike Bordick, OF Eric Davis, P Scott Kamieniecki.Old news: P David Wells, OF Bobby Bonilla, 1B/DH Eddie Murray, OF Mike Devereaux, 3B Todd Zeile, C Mark Parent, P Roger McDowell.What's up this spring: Durability of Key and Davis could be big issues this spring, but biggest story will be Cal Ripken's moving to third base to make room for Bordick at shortstop.

Three things that went right Melvin Mora was a force at the plate and a presence in the clubhouse: The veteran third baseman's numbers have been in decline, but he worked on his hitting mechanics in the offseason and had a tremendous spring, leading Orioles regulars in batting average (.431), homers (two), RBIs (13) and walks (nine). He has also stayed positive and worked with some of the younger players, mainly shortstop Luis Hernandez. Several relievers emerged to provide bullpen depth: When the spring began, George Sherrill, Jamie Walker and Chad Bradford were the only pitchers to have bullpen spots locked up. However, Dennis Sarfate, Randor Bierd and Greg Aquino all had strong springs, giving manager Dave Trembley plenty of options out of the bullpen, which has been one of the team's biggest holes.

Spring is here at last, and naturally thoughts turn to gardens and gardening. We don't all start out with a green thumb. Many of us need a little practice getting our knees muddied and palms dirtied. And then - just maybe - we'll find our knack for gardening. For beginners, there's an array of gardening workshops, talks, classes and demonstrations in the area. For those who just like to stroll through others' landscapes, there are numerous tours of private and public gardens. And for those who can't get enough of garden shows, exhibits and festivals, get ready to mark up your calendar.

The Orioles continue to examine their remaining options for a spring training home, with Vero Beach, Fla., apparently becoming their most likely destination if they are forced to vacate their current facility. Indian River County administrator Joe Baird told the Vero Beach Press Journal on Wednesday that he has crafted a draft agreement with a team that would replace the Los Angeles Dodgers, though a spokesman would not confirm or deny a report that the Orioles are negotiating with Baird.

NEW YORK Every season has its trends, some of which barely survive until the season is over. Remember the pouf?Others take a while to catch on but eventually exhibit staying power. Think of short skirts. Still others, like leggings, find almost instant acceptance and quickly make the transition from trend to fashion staple.This season's lineup of contenders includes city shorts, which seem to reappear every spring, and dresses, which keep changing shape in an effort to win over the American woman from her beloved sportswear.

People often ask me the point of spring training, and that surprises me. Because the point seems so obvious.The underlying theme of spring training is to succor (sucker?) the folks back home.Because when it's February here, and it's ugly and raining and cold and miserable even with global warming, it's 80 degrees in Florida. That's where the ballplayers are and the writers are and the sportscasters are, and everyone's poolside happily sipping poolside-style beverages. Down there, everything looks good.

Large mounds of dirty snow looming on the fringes of school and shopping center parking lots are testament to the worst winter in recent memory. In Maryland winters past, most snow that fell in January and February had melted by the second week of March. Any snowfall in mid-March typically would melt within days, if not hours, after hitting the ground. This year, the snow and ice are still hanging around like houseguests overstaying their welcome.Thanks to these dingy piles of snow, we still wander around with winter on our minds even though spring is officially but a week away.

Fantasy baseball players, I give you a simple task: Ignore most of what you see and hear from baseball writers over the next six weeks. OK, so I'm overstating to get at a more general point. Come November, passionate baseball fans begin counting the days to that glorious February morning when pitchers and catchers report. By the time we reach that day, which arrives later this week, we're incredibly thirsty for new baseball content. Baseball writers are equally eager to shovel new material our way. So every little happening in spring training is magnified.

As spring weather encourages more Baltimoreans and visitors to go to the Inner Harbor, they will see the city's premier tourist attraction changing and growing. Construction of the $160 million Columbus Center has reach the stage where exterior wall panels are being installed. A Teflon-coated fabric roof will be stretched next month over a three-level exhibit space, reminding those who never thought the marine-biology center would happen that it will be completed by January.Anyone taking a stroll southeast from the Columbus Center site these days is sure to be surprised.

Every morning, just after 7 o'clock, Orioles pitcher Jake Arrieta leaves his temporary home in Siesta Key and bikes the nine miles to Ed Smith Stadium. "It's a nice little stroll, but it's a fun ride," Arrieta said. "It's not because I want a workout. It's kind of my routine. I really want to keep that throughout the season. I rode my bike to the field in Baltimore all last year when I was there. I'm on the bike everyday in the offseason so I figure, 'Hey, let's try to keep the routine as close to what it is in your day-to-day life.