MAJOR AMBITIONS

The following is a listing of players with area ties who are competing in professional baseball.

Included in the list are each players' local connection, his last year as an amateur and his major league affiliation. Statistics are through Sunday.

Steve Bieser, OF (Ste. Genevieve High School, Southeast Missouri State 1989) St. Louis Cardinals:

Bieser, a 12-year minor league veteran who has played parts of two seasons in the majors, is batting .360 (27 for 75) with five doubles and seven RBIs for the Class AAA Memphis (Tenn.) Redbirds.

Talley Haines, P (Cape Central High School, Southeast Missouri State, Freed Hardeman 1998) Tampa Bay Devil Rays:

Haines, in his third pro season, is 2-1 with three saves and a 2.91 ERA as the closer for the Class A St. Petersburg (Fla.) Devil Rays. In 21 2/3 innings, he has allowed 21 hits while striking out 22 and walking two.

Steve Lowe, IF (Southeast Missouri State 1999) Cleveland Indians:

Lowe, in his second pro season, is batting .262 (16 for 61) with two doubles, two triples and eight RBIs for the Class A Columbus (Ga.) Redstixx.

Cliff Politte, P (Cape Girardeau Capahas 1997) Philadelphia Phillies:

Politte, who is in his fourth pro season and has spent parts of two seasons in the majors, is 4-2 with a 3.76 ERA for the Class AAA Scranton-Wilkes Barre (Pa.) Red Barons. In 40 2/3 innings, he has allowed 35 hits while striking out 38 and walking 16.

Kerry Robinson OF (Southeast Missouri State 1995) New York Yankees:

Robinson, who is in his sixth pro season and has spent brief time in the majors in two of those seasons, is batting .327 (32 for 98) with six doubles, one triple, 18 runs scored, four RBIs and 13 stolen bases for the Class AAA Columbus (Ohio) Clippers.

Ryan Spille, P (Southeast Missouri State 1999) Toronto Blue Jays:

Spille, in his second pro season, is 4-4 with a 5.84 ERA for the Class A Dunedin (Fla.) Blue Jays. In 44 2/3 innings, he has allowed 55 hits while striking out 26 and walking 18.

Kevin Vent, P (Sikeston High School, Arkansas 1999) San Francisco Giants:

Vent, in his second pro season, is 1-4 with a 6.53 ERA for the Class A Bakersfield (Calif.) Blaze. In 20 2/3 innings, he has allowed 35 hits while striking out 16 and walking 12.

Matt Whiteside, P (Charleston High School, Arkansas State 1990) San Diego Padres:

Whiteside, who is in his 11th pro season and has spent most of five seasons in the majors, is 1-0 with an 0.00 ERA with the Padres after being called up recently from Class AAA Las Vegas. In seven innings with the Padres, he has allowed five hits while striking out six and walking one.