When the Brewers take fielding practice, Bill Hall moves from third to shortstop to second base and even left field. He'll be doing the same thing once the regular season starts, as the Brewers' Super Sub.
"Billy knows his role," said manager Ned Yost. "His versatility gives us a weapon at more than one position. He will get his playing time."
Hall says that playing time is the key for him. "My versatility helps the team, so I don't mind playing different positions, as long as I know I will be in the lineup someplace," he said before a Brewers' workout at their Maryvale spring training complex.
"I just want to play every day and contribute what I can to this team. If this is the best way to do it, I am willing to do it.
Hall hit .291 with 17 home runs, 62 RBI and 18 stolen bases in 146 games last year. He settled into third base for much of the second half of the season. Many thought that spot would be his this season, but then the Brewers acquired veteran Corey Koskie over the off-season. The Brewers' management said they hoped to use Hall in much the same way the Angels have used versatile Chone Figgins.
"I don't have a problem with it," Hall said. "I think the more depth we have, especially with veterans providing some of the backup, it takes pressure off J.J. (Hardy), Prince (Fielder) and Rickie (Weeks) and makes us a better team. Jeff Cirillo gives us experience. Koskie is a veteran. I haven't play as long as they have, but I do have a couple seasons under my belt now."
In fact, Hall has become kind of the big brother for Hardy, Fielder, Weeks, Corey Hart and the other young players coming up.
"I was the first of the group to get up here," Hall said. "I played with a lot of these guys in the minors. So, I can relate to them."
Hall said the three infield positions he plays are quite different. "At third base, the ball comes at you a lot quicker," he said. "Third base is a lot more about reactions.
"Shortstop is my natural position. The ball gets to you slower so you're coming in on it a lot more. The main difference at second base is the pivot on the double play. I like to think I played pretty good defense at third base last year and have fielded the other positions pretty well too. But, I want to improve in the field and at the plate."
The outfield presents other challenge, but Hall again is open to it. "I'm still learning out there though," he said.
Hall's versatility comes to a large degree from raw athletic talent. At Nettleton High School in Mississippi, Hall played football, basketball, baseball and track. He was a member of the Nettleton state championship baseball team and went 4-4 in the state title game. He was selected in the sixth round of the 1998 draft right out of high school.
Once he signed, Hall progressed rather quickly through the Brewers' farm system and was selected the franchise's Minor League Player of the Year in 2001. He also made the California League All Star team after hitting .303 at High Desert (A). Later that year, Hall was selected to the Arizona Fall League All-Prospect Team.
In 2002, Hall came up in September and struggled to a .194 average. He started the 2003 season at Indianapolis (AAA). After hitting .282 in the first 89 games of the 2003 season at Indianapolis, Hall again came up to the Brewers. He hit a solid .261 in 52 games and improved at both shortstop and second base.
Hall hit .238 with nine homers and 53 RBI in 126 games in 2004 and then blossomed last year. "Two years ago, I stopped trying to do too much at the plate and just let me hands and natural ability take over," Hall said.
"It made a big difference. I'm more direct and short to the ball when I do that and am swinging the bat well."
Hall was picked to the provisional USA roster for the World Baseball Classic. He didn't make the final team, but still considered it an honor. "Just to be picked among the other players to be on the U.S. team was great," he said.
Just a couple weeks ago, Hall also signed a one-year contract with the Brewers. The club had wanted to negotiate a multi-year deal with him, but he opted for the one-year deal. He becomes eligible for arbitration next season.
But, his focus now is on the 2006 season. "I think we have a deep team with a good mix of veterans and young players," he said. "I think everybody in this clubhouse is excited, and focused on doing the things we need to do to take the next step as a team."
