Developing winter routine

As you walked into the practice bubble at Boston College's Alumni Stadium, you thought you were attending a football camp. But there were baseballs and bats, gloves and catching gear strewn in the far end zone yesterday as the Red Sox conducted their rookie development program.

Many organizations are holding such workouts, getting their top prospects thinking in terms of spring training and what can be expected of them.

Sox director of player development Mike Hazen and minor league field coordinator Rob Leary oversee the program, which also includes the mental approach to the game, working with sports psychology coaches Bob Tewksbury and Don Kalkstein.

"We try to go into it with the approach that we don't know exactly what each guy needs from this program," Hazen said. "We try to expose them to the same things we think are going to be beneficial. Different things are going to click with different guys. From hearing from the major league pitching coach and what his expectations are in big league camp, what their preparation should be. Maybe that strikes the guys differently, too."

Hazen said for the dozen players who are taking part, "the expectation is that these guys are within an 18-month time frame to the big leagues. There are some guys who have already been to the big leagues who will be on a major league team. The rookie program is a misnomer. It's for guys we want to help ease the transition."

Relief pitcher Craig Hansen is one of the players involved. He struggled last season with the big club, was returned to Triple A Pawtucket at the end of the season, and will be in the big league camp, where he'll compete for a spot in the crowded bullpen.

"I would say last year didn't end up like I wanted it to, but overall, it was a good learning experience and I'll be able to pick up a lot of things for next season," said Hansen. "I was able to work things out this winter and improve. Just mental things, focusing, situational things, fundamentals, and all that."

Hansen admitted the game got too fast for him at times. The great slider he had shown at St. John's escaped him. He's trying to get back to the things that made him a first-round pick two years ago.

"I haven't been able to get to the slider," said Hansen. "I haven't been able to throw it the way I used to throw it. I'm working on that now. I've come along quite well. I fell behind on counts and it didn't give me the opportunity to throw it as an effective pitch."

Hansen, who was 2-2 with a 6.63 ERA in 38 major league games last year, said one of the things that affected him was the length of the season. He had been used to 60-80 games in college, but "now it's 162. At the end, I had lapses. It's a very long season." He got through the bad times with help from veterans Mike Timlin and Curt Schilling. Manager Terry Francona also had a long chat with Hansen and Manny Delcarmen about how to prepare for next season.

"I definitely feel confident I'll be pitching in the majors no matter what role it might be," said Hansen.

In addition to Hansen, pitchers Kason Gabbard, Clay Buchholz, Edgar Martinez, David Pauley, Kyle Jackson, and Nick DeBarr, catcher George Kottaras, outfielders David Murphy, Brendan Moss, and Jacoby Ellsbury, and infielder Chad Spann are participating in the workouts.

A typical day starts with breakfast, followed by a meeting. There are running, stretching, and fundamental drills, followed by lunch, then more meetings or a guest speaker. The day concludes with weightlifting at Fenway Park.

"We can't simulate walking out in front of 35,000 screaming fans their first time," said Hazen, "but this is about the things we can prepare them for."

Jim Rice on not being voted into the Hall of Fame for the 13th straight year: "I'm not disappointed because I've been down this road before. I thought there was a chance and I guess I got a few more votes [nine]. I had my fingers crossed really for the first time since the voting began. It didn't happen, but we'll have to see about next year and what that brings."

Players stay on the ballot for a maximum of 15 years, then can only be voted in by the Veterans Committee.

Rice said he found the voting interesting in that former closer Rich Gossage seemed to benefit more from Mark McGwire being named on so few ballots than did he or Andre Dawson.

"Next year is going to be interesting because there'll be a bunch of us -- myself, Andre, Bert Blyleven, Lee Smith, and Goose [Gossage] who could get in," said Rice. "I understand it's an important season. All I can do is hope for the next year and that enough new voters will take another look at my career and make the decision that I should be in."

Tonight's Boston Baseball Writers Dinner at the Convention Center will feature National League MVP Ryan Howard, who will receive the Ted Williams Award as best hitter. Also being honored are Jonathan Papelbon, Detroit Tigers general manager Dave Dombrowski, Schilling, Ron "Papa Jack" Jackson, and members of the 1967 Red Sox . . . Red Sox officials and agent Scott Boras planned on continuing their talks yesterday regarding the J.D. Drew contractual snag. At least one person involved in the talks thought a resolution could come shortly. Both sides are trying to hammer out medical language that will protect the Red Sox in case there's an issue with Drew's surgically repaired right shoulder.

Nick Cafardo can be reached at cafardo@globe.com.