Chipper Enters Spring With a Sweet Swing

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Chipper Jones has been in Florida for three weeks, working out at Stetson University in DeLand, where his father is a volunteer assistant coach. The third baseman, who has averaged 25 homers and 110 RBI the last two seasons, figures to be one of the lowest-paid power hitters in the game this year. In the third year of an $8.25 million deal, he will be paid $2.5 million this year and $3.5 million next year, with the club holding a $4.5 million option for 2000. Jones wants to renegotiate and extend the deal following the season.

"Hindsight is 20-20. I signed a contract and for me at the time that was the right move, but as it's turned out, compared to other players I'm a little underpaid," he said. "I signed it. I'll live with it. But it doesn't mean I won't go back and say let's renegotiate. I fully expect the club to pick up the option, but hopefully it won't get to that point."

After hitting only .250 right-handed last year, the switch-hitting Jones has focused his attention this winter on improving his natural stroke. Working with his father, who he called to Atlanta last season to help him escape a slump, Jones thinks he's ironed out the problem.

"I'm swinging like I was in high school," he said. "The swing is feeling as natural to me now as back when I was in high school. I just have to maintain that throughout the season. It's up to me to make a commitment to work on my right-handed swing some every day during the season."

By Bill Zack

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