Phillies' Ryan Howard agile, pain-free

CLEARWATER, Fla. - Ryan Howard pulled on his Phillies windbreaker and picked up a pair of bats. Charlie Manuel asked him where was going. To the field, Howard said. It was the end of the first baseman's second-straight day of facing live pitching.

"I know you want me to keep hitting, but other guys have to hit, too," Howard said.

Manuel joined manager Ryne Sandberg behind the batting cage on Wednesday to watch Howard, the star attraction of hitting group No. 3. Howard started his morning hitting Manuel's pitches in the indoor batting cages. Once outside, the former manager worked with Howard on the follow-through of his swing.

Howard also took part in baserunning drills, charging from first to third base. He ran without a limp. Sandberg, who called Howard "agile" on Tuesday, said Howard's baserunning looks to be a big difference from last season. It looks pain-free, Sandberg said.

"I think Ryno looks like, and his body looks like, right now, that he's going to allow himself to be more productive and have a good spring training camp," Sandberg said. "Just running the bases, he even looks better. Looks like he has a much better chance of scoring from second base, much better getting to the cut-off spot playing first base."

Howard reported to camp on Monday and has declined all interview requests. His offseason was taxing. Howard was involved in a financial dispute with his family, and general manager Ruben Amaro Jr. told him the team would be better off without him. Howard batted .223 last season with a major-league-leading 190 strikeouts.

"He doesn't act like he has a chip on his shoulder," Sandberg said. "He acts like he's a teammate here, and he's a veteran guy helping the young players. I like the attitude, and he's getting after it, doing extra work."

Howard finished his afternoon by fielding ground balls. The grounders came harder with each hit, and Howard scooped them all with ease. He reached to his side and made a quick backhanded stab. Howard raised his glove, and half of the ball stuck out like an ice-cream cone.

"Tastes good," Howard said as he pretended to lick it on a day when everything seemed just fine.