Pirates' Josh Bell says he's looking forward to new culture

When Josh Bell turned his head and looked out a window of the Clelian Heights School, the sun was shining over Greensburg. Snow was melting.

If you didn’t know better, you would think it was baseball season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates All-Star first baseman, the bat in his hand looking the size of a toothpick, joined pitchers Clay Holmes and Sam Howard and coaches Justin Meccage and Tarrik Brock as the team’s CARE-a-van bus stopped Wednesday to conduct a fantasy camp at the school for exceptional children.

Students rotated among four stations, getting hitting, baserunning and pitching tips from the pros.

Howard, claimed in the offseason off waivers from the Colorado Rockies, said he conducted similar clinics in college at Georgia Southern and in his hometown of Cartersville, Ga.

“I love to be able to come in here and see the smiles on their faces and to know you’re making their day,” Howard said.

The Pirates group made stops at Ringgold High School in Monongahela, Clelian Heights and the Oakland Volunteer Fire Company in Johnstown.

“The last 15-20 minutes with these kids have been an absolute blast,” Bell said. “Just being able to unplug a little bit and share some smiles and take some good swings here and just enjoy the game away from PNC.

“No one cares about any result. Everyone is just focusing on trying to hit the ball off the tee. We had some ricochets off walls. It kind of got scary there for a little bit.”

Bell said he plans to leave for spring training in Bradenton, Fla., around Valentine’s Day. He said he is eager to “embrace” the new culture promised by manager Derek Shelton.

Bell, who received an 817% raise over his 2019 salary to $4.8 million, said he spent about 40 minutes in Shelton’s office shortly after he was hired, talking ball.

First, Bell asked about Nelson Cruz, who Bell grew up rooting for as a Texas Rangers fan and who was coached last season by Shelton in Minnesota.

Bell said the talk also turned to “how (Shelton) wants things to change with the culture here.”

“I don’t think it’s going to take him trying. I think it’s just his energy is just going to be different. It’s going to be refreshing.

“We can tell that going into spring training. There’s going to be a change. There’s going to be a different set of meetings. It’s going to be player-centered. We’re definitely excited for the future.”

Asked if he expects an overall attitude change, Bell said: “I think so. I think everything’s going to change, just bringing in a whole new coaching staff, GM, president, manager. You can’t help but have a change of atmosphere. You can’t help to have change in the clubhouse.

“I don’t really know what to expect. I’m kind of just going into spring training with open arms, trying to embrace the new culture. I’m excited to see what it has in store.”

Bell has trained this offseason in Pittsburgh and California, with a goal of playing in all 162 games.

“I think it would be cool,” he said. “It’s always a goal for all of us position players to be out there every night. But the body has to be prepared for that, and that’s what I’m preparing myself for.”

Bell hit 37 home runs last year, but his season ended two weeks early when he went on the injured list with a groin injury.

“I went back to what was working for me last year,” he said of his offseason training regimen. “Just trying to focus on getting my body right.

“I didn’t get up to 162 games like I wanted to. This year is a new year. Hopefully, I can come out strong, stay healthy year-round and come out ready to go.”

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