It isn’t exactly official quite yet, but the Mariners apparently have acquired infielder Bill Hall from the Brewers for Minor League pitcher Ruben Flores, a 12th round Draft choice in 2003.

Hall, who hit 35 home runs for the Brewers two years ago but has slumped this season, was recently designated for assignment.

He could join the Mariners as early as Thursday in Detroit.

Stay tuned for more details.

The question isn’t so much who’s on first for the Mariners, but who’s in the first-base coaching box.

A position normally manned by Lee Tinsley will be occupied by Tim Tolman.

Tinsley returned to his Scottsdale home to be with his wife and new daughter, who was born on Tuesday night.

Tolman, the organization’s Minor League coordinator of instruction, was at his home in Tucson early Tuesday afternoon having lunch when he received a call telling him to catch a flight to Detroit.

He drove to Phoenix, took a red-eye and arrived in Detroit around 5:30 this morning.

Tolman said it has been around two years since he was in a Major League coaching box, but feels comfortable pinch-hitting for Tinsley for a few days. He probably will be with the team for the Thursday afternoon’s series finale against the Tigers and the three-game series against the Indians starting Friday night in Cleveland.

— Jim Street

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, grab your stitching paraphernalia and get ready for another “Stitch ‘N Pitch” night at Safeco Field.

The Fifth Annual Stitch ‘n Pitch promotion, which started at Safeco Field in 2005 and has spread across Major League Baseball, returns next Thursday night against the Royals.

Deborah Norville, award-winning journalist and anchor of the TV news magazine Inside Edition, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.  Norville is an avid knitter who has a book of knitting patterns (Knit with Deborah Norville) and a line of yarn (The Deborah Norville Collection) in four weights from Premier Yarns.  During the game, Norville will sign copies of her book at the Pacific Fabrics booth on the Upper Concourse of the ballpark.  Pacific Fabrics will also have a selection of Norville’s yarn for sale.

Discounted tickets can be purchased online at www.mariners.com/stitch or in person at the following Seattle area yarn shops:

Pacific Fabrics & Crafts (6 locations); Village Yarn & Tea Shop, 19500 Ballinger Way NE, Shoreline; Seattle Yarn, 5633 California Ave. SW; So Much Yarn, 2107 Elliott Ave., downtown Seattle; Bad Woman Yarn, 1815 N. 45th, Seattle; Tricoter, 3121 E. Madison St., Seattle.  For groups of 40 or more, tickets can be purchased by calling 206-346- 4519.  Tickets must be purchased by 5 p.m. PT on Tuesday.

The first 3,000 ticket buyers will be able to redeem their tickets at Safeco Field for a free Stitch ‘n Pitch tote, perfect for transporting small projects and knitting accessories.

A number of yarn and craft shops and fiber arts organizations from around the Puget Sound area will be at Safeco Field with samples, coupons, patterns and kits for sale, class schedules, and assistance from “Designated Knitters” and “Stitch Doctors.”

 

— Jim Street

 

The lineups are out and the Mariners still are without shortstop Jack Wilson.

He continues to be sidelined with a tight left hamstring, which has kept him idle since the third inning of last Wednesday’s series finale against the White Sox at Safeco Field.

He had hoped to be in the lineup for tonight’s series opener against the Tigers, but he said the hammy is still “tight” and he remains on a “day-to-day” situation.

“It’s getting better but at the same time it’s one of those things that you want to make sure it goes away. Don’t want to come back too soon kind of deal,” he said.

And so the other J. Wilson was on the lineup card — Josh Wilson.

The lineups:

Mariners:

Ichiro Suzuki, RF

Russell Branyan, 1B

Jose Lopez, 2B

Ken Griffey Jr., DH

Franklin Gutierrez, CF

Jack Hannahan, 3B

Rob Johnson, C

Ryan Langerhans, LF

Josh Wilson, SS

Felix Hernandez, RHP

Tigers:

Curtis Granderson, CF

Placido Polanco, 2B

Miguel Cabrera, 1B

Aubrey Huff, DH

Clete Thomas, RF

Brandon Inge, 3B

Alex Avila, C

Adam Everett, SS

Rick Porcello, RHP

General manager Jack Zduriencik steadfastly refuses to discuss the upcoming signing deadline for players the Mariners selected in the First-Year Player Draft.

As of tonight, the top two choices — oufielder Dustin Ackley, from the University of North Carolina, and infielder Nick Franklin from the same Florida high school that produced the likes of former Mariners catcher Jason Varitek — remain unsigned.

Both must be signed by 9 p.m. PT on Monday.

Ackley, the second player selected in the June Draft, is being “advised”  by agent Scott Boras, who historically waits until the last minute to get his top Drafdt clients under contract. That’s just the way he does business. So even if Ackley and the Mariners reach a contract agreement, I doubt that it will happen until a few minutes before the deadline.

On the other hand, Franklin was spotted in the Mariners dugout this afternoon by eagle-eye reporter Kirby Arnold of the Everett Herald. Franklin’s in town for a physical, a sure sign that an agreement in principal has been reached.

Franklin was the 27th player selected in the Draft and the first of two compensation picks Seattle received for losing outfielder Raul Ibanez to free agency.

The 6-foot-1 Franklin has a college scholarship offer from Auburn sitting on the table.

Meanwnile, down on the farm, word just came in that right-hander Brandon Morrow pitched a complete-game, four-hit shutout tonight for Triple-A Tacoma.

— Jim Street

The medical news on third baseman Adrian Beltre is good, but not so good for left-handed pitcher Erik Bedard.

Beltre, who suffered a “severely contused right testicle” in the ninth inning on Wednesday night, was examined by a specialist on Friday and surgery will not be necessary. Beltre has been told to have complete rest for a week and then resume baseball-related activities.

It would appear that the chances are good that he can return when his time on 15-day disabled list expires.

Meanwhile, Bedard is out for the season.

He underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left shoulder this morning and Dr. Lewis Yocum discovered that Bedard’s labrum was torn — a serious injury for a pitcher. Bedard will be in a sling for about three weeks and faces a six-month recovery period. In addition, but less serious, there was inflammation in his bursa.

Though the injury is not career-threatening, Bedard becomes eligible for free agency at the end of the World Series and might have thrown his final pitch for the Mariners.

Further details will be announced later today.

— Jim Street

The heralded return of Ken Griffey Jr. to the Mariners this season is now a children’s book.

Through a collaborative effort between Jarrett Mentink,Ph.D and illustrator Patrick Carlson, “The Kid Returns” has hit various bookstores in the Northwest.

The 32-page, hard-bound book takes the reader on a memorable journey through the years — from when he was a 19-year-old known as “The Kid” to the 39-year-old father of three and leader in the Mariners clubhouse while winding down his Hall of Fame career.

The author, who operates “Kids In the Clouds”, a children’s book company he formed in 2002, will be at the Safeco Field Team Stores on from 5-7 p.m. on Saturday for a book-signing.

“The Kid Returns” retails for $12.95 and proceeds go to the Ken Griffey Jr. Family Foundation which supports children’s causes throughout the United States, including the Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Make-A-Wish Foundation, Seattle and Cincinnati Children’s Hospitals and Disney Children’s Hospital.

— Jim Street

A couple of years ago during Spring Training, Mariners third baseman Adrian Beltre explained during an interview that he doesn’t wear a cup — a piece of equipment worn to protect one of the most vital areas of your body.

He said he wore one once, but it didn’t feel comfortable so he never wore one again and didn’t think twice about it.

He was asked if he ever worried about getting hit “there” and he said “no” because he trusted his hands, which always had been quick enough to react to the hot shots hit to him while playing the hot corner.

But in the ninth inning of Wednesday night’s 14-inning game against the White Sox, Beltre’s hands were not quick enough. A ball hit by Alexei Ramirez hit Beltre just below the belt buckle. The 3B jumped high (who could blame him?) as the ball rolled away.

Beltre had the presence of mind to go after the ball pick it up with his bare hand and try to get the out at first base. He ended up with a throwing error — and perhaps surgery as he suffered a “contusion of his right testicle.”

He somehow played the remainder of the game without showing any outward signs of the severe pain he must have been experiencing. Anyone who has been hit “there” knows what I’m talking about.

Beltre shrugged it off, singled in the 14th inning, dove back into first base to avoid a pickoff throw, went to second on a walk and scored the game-winning run on Ken Griffey Jr.’s single to right field.

Only then did Beltre mention that he got hit “there”.

He was hurt so bad that on Thursday afternoon he was placed on the 15-day disabled list and might need surgery to repair the damage to his right testicle.

“He’s awfully tough. I couldn’t even imagine,” manager Don Wakamatsu said.

And now for tonight’s starting lineups:

Yankees

Derek Jeter, SS

Johnny Damon, LF

Mark Teixeira, 1B

Hideki Matsui, DH

Nick Swisher, RF

Robinson Cano, 2B

Melky Cabrera, CF

Jerry Hairston, 3B

Jose Molia, C

CC Sabathia, LHP

Mariners

Ichiro Suzuki, RF

Franklin Gutierrez, CF

Jose Lopez, 2B

Mike Sweeney, DH

Russell Branyan, 1B

Kenji Johjima, C

Jack Hannahan, 3B

Josh Wilson, SS

Michael Saunders, LF

Ian Snell, RHP

— Jim Street

As one of many thousands of Americans who have been involved in a war — Vietnam, 1968-69 for me — there are certain things that stand out.

One of them for me is the way so many Mariners are on the field during the National Anthem.

So I asked manager Don Wakamatsu about it.

“I think it’s important to show respect to all the soldiers who are fighting for us, which allows us to play this game,” he said. “I think it shows disrespect sometimes when guys don’t come out.”

During a recent series against the Blue Jays, I counted the difference. There were 23 players, coaches or other club personnel standing in front of the first-base dugout during the playing of both National Anthems. There were two players from the Blue Jays — one standing on the top step of the dugout and one in shallow left field, in sight.

Among the topics Wakamatsu discussed with his players during Spring Training  was being on the field during the National Anthem.

“It’s not a mandated thing,” he said. “But when you see guys like (Mike) Sweeney and Griff (Ken Griffey Jr.) out there showing their respect for the people fighting overseas, it’s nice. We  have received letters from soldiers all over the world expressing their gratitude, but that’s not the reason we do it.”

They do it because it’s a respectful thing to do.

And whenever a color guard is included in the National Anthem, you will notice that the Mariners don’t immediately walk away after the National Anthem is finished.

“We stay out there until they unholster the flag,” Wakamatsu said.

When the Yankees and Mariners begin a four-game series tonight at Safeco Field, it will be interesting to see how many players from each team are on the field with their caps off and their attention on the latest rendition of our National Anthem.

Call me old and naive, but it seems to me that it’s far more important for every MLB team to be on the field during the National Anthem than how many gladiator helmets are in the bullpen.

— Jim Street

The sun is out here at Safeco Field and a few things are happening on the field.

Rookie pitcher Doug Fister is leaning against the dugout protection barrier chatting on his cell phone, perhaps conducting an interview with a central California radio station discussing his impressive debut last night. He held the White Sox to one hit over six scoreless innings. He is from Merced and attended Fresno State — which, by the way, is the choice of hats today.

Shortstop Jack Wilson went into the dugout after being interviewed by FSN’s Brad Adam.

As we speak, right-hander Carlos Silva and head athletic trainer Rick Griffin are walking in from the bullpen in left-center field. Silva, who has been on the disabled list most of the season, just threw a BP session and it will be interesting to get his take on how it went.

Here are some little tidbits for ya: Ichiro comes into the game with 167 hits and 66 runs scored. He is trying to extend two streaks — 200 hits and 100 runs scored in nine consecutive seasons. The former figures to be a cinch, the latter not so much.

Second baseman Jose Lopez is on pace to hit 22 home runs and 40 doubles. If he does both, he would become the 14th second baseman in MLB history to be in the 20-40 club.

Meanwhile, the lineups are in and here they are:

White Sox

Scott Podsednik, CF

Gordon Beckham, 3B

Alex Rios, RF

Jim Thome, DH

Carlos Quentin, LF

A.J. Pierzynski, C

Alexei Ramirez, SS

Mark Kotsay, 1B

Jason Nix, 2B

Mariners

Ichiro Suzuki, RF

Franklin Gutierrez, CF

Jose Lopez, 2B

Mike Sweeney, DH

Adrian Beltre, 3B

Russell Branyan, 1B

Jack Wilson, SS

Rob Johnson, C

Ryan Langerhans, LF

— Jim Street

I feel much better about myself today. I did not jaywalk on my short walk from the parking garage to Safeco Field. I have cut corners and crossed the street illegally for almost every home game during the past eight-plus seasons and the guilt is almost unbearable.  Never again!!!! Not after what happended to White Sox GM Ken Williams on Monday. He had the audacity to cross Edgar Martinez Drive where there actually wasn’t a crosswalk — and was fined $56.

I stood on that same corner this afternoon and watched six people cross the street. Not one of them received a ticket for jaywalking. But, being a good, law-abiding citizen, I walked all the way to First Ave., waited for the sounds of the beep to stop, noticed the white light of a pedestrian walking light up, and walked across the street.

As I got to the other side, about three feet from the curb, a white SUV nearly ran me over. He didn’t get a ticket, but scared the beejeebers out of me. I wondered where Roscoe the jaywalker preventer was when I needed him. Arghh!!!!.

Anyway, if you must jaywalk…do it in chicago or new york, or los angeles, or even bellevue. As Roscoe would say — NOT IN SEATTLE!

As for SUV’s on the road in Seattle — cross streets at your own risk!

As for the game against the White Sox tonight, the lineups have been posted….

White Sox

Scott Podsednik, CF
Gordon Beckham, 3B
Jermaine Dye, RF
Jim Thome, DH
Paul Konerko, 1B
A.J. Pierzynski, C
Carlos Quentin, LF
Alexei Ramirez, SS
Chris Getz, 2B
John Danks, LHP

Seattle
Ichiro Suzuki, RF
Franklin Gutierrez, CF
Jose Lopez, 2B
Mike Sweeney, DH
Adrian Beltre, 3B
Russell Branyan, 1B
Jack Wilson, SS
Kenji Johjima, C
Michael Saunders, LF
Doug Fister, LHP

— Jim Street