Cubs mixing some fun in with work

MESA, Ariz. — Something has taken on a life of its own at Cubs spring-training camp.

Although it’s being done for fun, there’s a purpose behind it, too.

It’s a bunting tournament, complete with a bracket of 64 entrants, including manager Dale Sveum. Pitchers and position players have been practicing for the tourney, which gets under way Thursday.

“Is there really that little to talk about right now that you’re talking about the bunting competition?” asked pitcher Kerry Wood, the No. 2 seed in his bracket. He will take on 15th-seeded Sveum, a former big-league infielder.

Actually, the bunting tournament has been one of the more fun things to talk about. Bunters will score points by bunting the ball into areas on the infield and more points for better bunts. The winner may get a cash prize.

The four No. 1 seeds are pitcher Jeff Beliveau, pitcher Travis Wood, infielder Junior Lake and outfielder Joe Mather. However, speedy Tony Campana might be the favorite.

“You’re going to have to take into consideration all the trash-talking that’s going to go on,” Campana said. “I think it’s a pretty good idea. It’s fun. You never see anybody practice bunting.

“There are all kinds of people out there practicing to see how easy or how hard it is to get bunts down. It does have a purpose. There are people out there working on it.”

Campana, perhaps the fastest player in the National League, was getting some ribbing from his teammates.

“You’re just a bad bunter with a lot of speed,” one wag said.

Sveum seems to be having as much fun with it as the players.

“We had it going way back when I was managing in the minor leagues,” he said. “A lot of guys lived on the spring-training facility in Bradenton, so after the workouts we kind of started something. I always remembered it and wanted to do something when I took over managing, if I ever managed.

“I thought it would be fun for the team, break things up a little bit and have fun with it. It will get fun especially as it goes on and we get to the Sweet Sixteen.”

Pitchers Ryan Dempster and Randy Wells also are among the favorites. Left fielder Alfonso Soriano is a No. 15 seed.

So far, so good:Dale Sveum said he likes the tone that has been set in the early days of spring. In addition to the fun of the bunting tournament, there has been plenty of pitchers#146; fielding practice, or PFPs, in baseball lingo. #147;I think everything is going great,#148; Sveum said. #147;Everybody is getting a lot of work in. We#146;ve probably extended the PFP groups a few more minutes than in past years. It#146;s part of the game and something you have to get better at and get good at.#147;It#146;s part of their work, and it#146;s been going great. The bunting, the bullpens everything has been going smooth and we have been getting a lot of work in, in a short amount of time.#148;The full squad:Position players report for spring training Thursday and work out for the first time formally Friday. Almost all position players already are here. Those who haven#146;t come in yet are Alfonso Soriano, shortstop Starlin Castro, infielder Blake DeWitt and outfielder Jae-Hoon Ha.Team chairman Tom Ricketts is expected in camp Friday.