HAINES TURNS INTO GRADE A FIREMAN

Talley Haines realizes he's still a long way from the major leagues.

But the Cape Girardeau Central High School graduate is certainly opening some eyes at the Class A level during his second season of professional baseball.

Haines, a right-handed pitcher, put up some mighty impressive numbers during the first half of the season as the closer for the Charleston (S.C.) River Dogs of the Class A South Atlantic League. Charleston is an affiliate of the Tampa Bay Devil Rays.

Haines has a 1-0 record and six saves in 19 appearances. His earned-run average is 2.93 and he has a dazzling strikeout-to-walk ratio, with 32 strikeouts and five walks in 27 2/3 innings.

"I guess I've had a pretty good first half of the year and I just hope I can continue and keep the momentum going in the second half," said Haines, whose team has already played 72 games and had a few days off before the second half of the season begins Thursday.

The 22-year-old Haines acknowledges that he has definitely come a long way since his days as a relatively light-throwing but effective hurler for Cape Central's Tigers.

"I've gotten a lot bigger and stronger and I throw a lot harder now," said the 1995 Cape Central graduate with a laugh.

Haines said his fastball generally tops out at from 90 to 92 miles per hour, which is impressive but certainly doesn't classify him as a flame thrower. However, the pitch is fast enough when coupled with impeccable control to go along with his changeup and sinker.

"My changeup is my best pitch but I used to rely on it too much," he said. "I've learned to use my sinker more, which has really helped."

Haines was the winning pitcher in the 1994 Class 4A state championship game when Central claimed the title. He spent two seasons pitching for Southeast Missouri State University -- his father, Joey Haines, is the head track coach at Southeast -- before transferring to Freed-Hardeman, an NAIA school in Tennessee.

After one impressive season at Freed-Hardeman, Haines was selected by the Devil Rays in the 25th round of the 1998 amateur draft. He spent his first pro campaign in the short-season rookie league in Princeton, W.Va.

This season, competing one step from baseball's highest Class A level, Haines has been solid despite not receiving many save opportunities recently because the River Dogs have been struggling.

"I think I had like five saves the first 2 1/2 weeks of the season but I've only had one since because we haven't been winning," he said.

Haines said the fact Charleston is a big baseball town has made his second pro season that much more enjoyable.

"We average about 4,000 fans per night and the town really gets into the team," he said. "It gets you excited for the games."

Of minor league life in general, Haines said, "It has its ups and downs but you just have to keep your eye on the goal."

For Haines -- and every other minor-leaguer -- the goal is to some day reach the majors. He realizes it's going to be a long process but he's willing to see it through.

"I know I've got a long way to go, but I'm getting better," he said. "Last year, I questioned a lot whether I should be here. But now I really believe that I do belong here.

"You just kind of have to grind it out. The more times I go out there and have good games, the more it puts it in the back of my mind that I'm not too far away."

* Former Southeast star Kerry Robinson continues to shine at the Class AAA level.

Robinson, an outfielder with the Tacoma (Wash.) Rainers -- a Seattle affiliate -- is batting .302 with 13 doubles, six triples, 25 runs batted in and 26 stolen bases. He leads the Pacific Coast League in triples and steals.

Robinson, who last played at Southeast in 1995 and was originally drafted by St. Louis in the 34th round, is having his second straight big season on the Class AAA level. He had a brief stint in the majors with Tampa Bay toward the end of last year.

* The area's other product currently at the Class AAA level, 1986 Charleston High graduate Matt Whiteside, is 6-3 with two saves and a 5.69 ERA for the Las Vegas Stars of the Pacific Coast League. The Stars are affiliated with San Diego.

Whiteside, who has spent several seasons in the majors, was originally a 25th round draft pick of Texas after playing for Arkansas State.

* The three local products signed by major-league organizations earlier this month have all been recently assigned to various rookie league teams.

Pitcher Ryan Spille of Southeast, taken in the 19th round by Toronto, is with the St. Catharines (Ontario) Stompers of the New York-Penn League.

Shortstop Steve Lowe of Southeast, signed as a free agent by Cleveland, is with the Mahoning Valley (Ohio) Scrappers of the New York-Penn League.

Pitcher Kevin Vent of Sikeston High and Arkansas, selected in the eighth round by San Francisco, is with the Salem-Keizer (Ore.) Valcanoes of the Northwest League.