SPRING TRAINING FOR THE 2002 SEASON WAS STILL IN THE FUTURE WHEN SOME former players were asked for their opinions about the on-field aspects of the game today as compared to the time when they basked in the sunshine of America's favorite pastime.

They were all asked to respond to the same question; namely, "If you had the power, what would you do to improve the game at the major league level?"

While they were requested to avoid focusing on the economic problems facing a number of big league franchises, their answers were revealing as well as provocative in many respects, and deserve a hearing. Here's what they had to

* JIMMY PIERSALL, outfielder (1950-1967) with the Red Sox, Indians, Senators, Mets and Angels whose life was chronicled in the famous book, Fear Strikes Out, and a subsequent film adaptation to his story:

"I wish we had more people like Tom Yawkey as owners of the clubs. Yawkey (late Red Sox owner) knew baseball, loved the game, and was so good to his players.

"Personally, I'd like to see them raise the pitching mound, and go back to the regular ball. The one they use today is like a golf ball.

"They should enforce regulations regarding the size of gloves the players use. The fielder's glove should measure 12 inches from the top of the first finger to the bottom edge of the glove. Some of these gloves today seem like that measurement is more like 16 inches.

"I'd like to see umpires be more strict in keeping batters from wandering out of the box and away from the plate after certain pitches. It's boring as hell to watch guys do that, and it doesn't help them. Ted Williams always said good hitters don't get too far away from the box because if they do, it breaks their concentration.

"And, one last thing. They ought to get rid of all that armor batters wear today on their arms and elbows. It takes the intimidation factor out of pitching."

* BOB FELLER, Hall of Fame pitcher with the Cleveland Indians (1936-41 and 1945-1956) who served almost four years in the Navy during World War II, when he earned eight battle stars as a chief specialist on the battleship Alabama:

"I'd like to see them speed up the game, but the clubs don't care about doing that They're more interested in selling beer and hot dogs, and figure the added time of a game is to their advantage. So shorter games won't happen even though watching some games today is like watching paint dry.