Major League Baseball star Manny Ramirez tried his hand at wielding a cricket bat here on Wednesday with some help from Australian cricketer Shaun Marsh. Ramirez, who signed a two-year deal worth $45 million to play for the Los Angeles Dodgers two weeks ago, was part of a television network promotion while sidelined from baseball work with left hamstring issues. Wearing typical cricket garb that offers far greater protection that the uniform and batting helmet he normally dons, Ramirez connected on five of the eight balls bowled to him on the home pitch of the Arizona Cricket Club. “I have faced some tough pitchers before but we don't have to ever swing at a bouncing ball that's rising as it passes us,” Ramirez said. “Let me see a fast one,” Ramirez shouted to the bowler, Souvir Bhuta, who fired one in. “Very good,” Ramirez said. “I'm going to talk to Frank (McCourt, the Dodgers' owner). Maybe we could sign you. We need some pitching.” The 36-year-old slugger did not bowl or field but did receive some coaching on how to swing at the bouncing ball from Shaun Marsh, a 25-year-old cricketer from Australia whose father Geoff played Test cricket for the Aussies. “Shaun is a great hitter and he gave me some great pointers,” Ramirez said. “I hadn't watched much cricket in the past but the game is a lot like baseball. Shaun said I definitely have a future in the game.” “It's unbelievable,” Ramirez said. “I don't know how they do it. The ball comes like 110 (mph) and they catch it with no glove.” Sometimes they catch it in the ribs. That's where Ramirez's longest drive hit Anil Cheruvu, one of the fielders from the Arizona Cricket Club. When the brief session was over, Ramirez expressed admiration for Marsh and the skills of cricketers.
