Law Repeats as Major League Rookie Trainer

Coach Vance Law of BYU just returned from Washington, D.C., where he was a repeat participant in the annual Rookie Career Development Program for two and a half days.

Law, who played 14 years of professional baseball, was one of 11 former major leaguers who helped instruct the 90 prospects. Joining Law as presenters were former players like Kevin Seitzer, Bob Tewksbury, Tom Pagnozzi, and John Cerutti.

Among the 90 prospects was catcher John Buck of Taylorsville, a seventh round draft in 1998 by the Houston Astros. Also among the current players receiving training was Chone Figgins, who pinch-ran for the California Angels and also has a World Series ring.

White House, press secretary Ari Fleischer, a New York Yankees fan, spoke to the group and Law helped moderate a discussion in a group of 10 players to offer his perspective as a former player.

"They don't believe some of the things will happen, but it is real," said Law. "We talk about dealing with things in the clubhouse like listening to particular music. This seminar would have been extremely helpful to me when I began playing, as far as developing, shaping the perception the media take on a player. You can be in control of an interview."

Law has been invited back to participate again next season and has been a part of 11 of the 12 seminars. He missed one when he became BYU's coach for the 2000 season. The seminars started out being held in Atlanta and Dallas, but are now held annually in Washington, D.C.

Law has helped instruct past participants like Alex Rodriguez, Nomar Garciaparra, John Lackey and Jim Thome.

Law begins his fourth season at the BYU helm as the Cougars open the season the end of the month in a three-game series at Arizona.