01:00 AM EST on Monday, February 27, 2006

BY STEVEN KRASNER
Journal Sports Writer

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- Dustin Pedroia, an heir apparent to an infield position in Boston in the near future, is in a major-league camp for the first time.

In case he needed a reminder of that fact, when he stepped into the batter's box for BP yesterday Pedroia was facing hard-throwing Josh Beckett , the former World Series MVP obtained by Boston in an offseason trade.

"He had great stuff," said Pedroia.

When was the last time he faced someone as accomplished?

"Two days before, when I faced (Mike ) Timlin and (Tim ) Wakefield ," said Pedroia with a grin.

Pedroia, the Sox' first pick in the second round of the 2004 draft (65th overall), has been taking ground balls at shortstop and second base, and he's well aware that he is being touted as a hot prospect. Pedroia, listed as 5-foot-9, 180 pounds, played in Portland and Pawtucket last year, and probably is ticketed to start the season with the PawSox.

Even though he is so close to the big leagues, Pedroia, a non-roster invitee, says he tries not to think about it.

"I'm young, only 22. I know I'll get a chance to prove myself. Whenever that is, I'll be ready." He batted .255 for the PawSox in 51 games after hitting .324 in 66 games for Portland.

Ortiz says timing off

David Ortiz, second in the MVP voting to the Yankees' Alex Rodriguez "My timing's off," said Ortiz, who batted .300 with 47 homers and 148 RBI last year. "It takes a while to put it together. It happens to me every year. I hope it gets better before we start playing."

Ortiz will be playing in more meaningful games earlier than normal this spring. He will be participating in the World Baseball Classic, representing the Dominican Republic. He leaves camp Thursday for Orlando, where the Dominican team will be playing its first-round games.

More (or less) on Manny

Manny Ramirez still is scheduled for his first spring workout Wednesday. There was the rumor that he could be in camp a day before then, but there was another that he could change his mind and play in the WBC for the Dominican Republic. Ramirez's comings and goings remain a mystery to most people.

Duffer destroys a driver

Rookie right-hander Craig Hansen had never played golf, so when he found out there were cash prizes involved in Friday's charity event for the local children's hospital, he elected to skip the event rather than cost teammates a chance at cashing in.

Instead, he went to a driving range. Using his brother's set of old clubs he promptly broke the shaft of the driver.

Drill's aim: Halt running game

The Sox worked on bunt plays and manager Terry Francona said he will give his veteran infielders, notably shortstops Alex Gonzalez and Alex Cora , more responsibility in calling plays aimed at shutting down another team's running game. . . . Wakefield threw to John Flaherty in his BP session; Jason Varitek was behind the plate for Jonathan Papelbon and Josh Bard caught Beckett as the staff continues to rotate the pairings. The idea is to get the catchers familiar with as many pitchers as possible. . . . Promising left-hander Jon Lester will start Sunday night against the Australian World Baseball Classic team. . . . Keith Foulke has yet to throw batting practice, which is by design, Francona said. Foulke, who had surgery on both knees last season, has been looking good off the mound and in long-toss sessions.

skrasner@projo.com / (401) 277-7340