Inside Pitch

Cincinnati players feel management has been playing footsie with them over the years by forcing them to wear black spiked shoes. The Reds say this deprives them of lucrative endorsement contracts from shoe manufacturers while causing some to shell out hundreds of dollars each season for spikes. And besides, black shoes are boring.

Recently, management offered a compromise: The players could replace their black shoes with a red-with-white-stripe Pony model and pocket a $600 fee. The Reds unanimously rejected that, feeling they could earn a lot more money by making their own deals.

"The Reds have been consistent over the years in wanting to have the players' uniforms all look the same," says Woody Woodward, the assistant general manager. Pitcher Frank Pastore, the Cincy player representative, says the players will take their grievance to arbitration on June 6.

Pittsburgh's 6'5", 230-pound Dave Parker, hitting .208 at the end of last week, is hoping that a difference of three ounces will help him hit a ton. "In the past, I could overcome things because I was younger and stronger," said Parker, 31, as he explained why he has switched to a bat that's three ounces lighter. "But you get older. Your reflexes are not as quick as they used to be."

TAKE THAT: "He's a lousy umpire," Baltimore Manager Joe Altobelli says of 288-pound Ken Kaiser, a former pro wrestler. "I wish he'd stayed with wrestling and kept that sport messed up instead of baseball."...AND THAT: "He has no idea where the strike zone is," says California's Rod Carew of Umpire Greg Kosc.... AND THAT: St. Louis Manager Whitey Herzog has these kind words for umpires Ed Montague and Lanny Harris: " Montague is very incompetent and the other guy is, too."...BUT ON THE OTHER HAND: American League Ump Dave Phillips well remembers the run-ins he had when San Diego's Dick Williams managed Boston and Oakland. "One of the highlights of my career," says Phillips, "was when Williams signed a long-term contract in the National League."

Milwaukee Catcher Ted Simmons arose early last Wednesday to take his sister to the airport for a 7 a.m. flight. When he returned to his apartment, he read the paper and snuggled back under the covers, unaware that the Brewers were to play Toronto at 1:30 p.m. rather than at 7:30, as they had the last two days.

With game time approaching and Simmons missing, Equipment Manager Bob Sullivan tried to call him. But Simmons hasn't had time to get a phone. Desperate, Sullivan phoned the apartment manager, who wrote out a note for Simmons to call Sully, slipped it under the catcher's door and knocked.

Simmons got up, saw the note and went to a pay phone in the lobby to call Sullivan. After getting the message, he splashed water on his face, dressed and sped to the park, where he went 4 for 4 and drove in six runs in a 7-6 win.

For Met Relief Pitcher Neil Allen, the first six weeks of the season were a nightmare. Instead of saving games, he blew them. The more boos he heard, the more booze he drank. He became involved in a barroom scrap, was fined for missing curfew and even made up an excuse so he wouldn't have to show up for one game. He finally admitted to his drinking problem and sought help.

But what to do about his problems on the mound? When starters go awry, they often are sent to the bullpen to seek a cure. Where, though, does a struggling reliever go? Into the starting rotation, reasoned Manager George Bamberger.