Watson Hoops It Up in the Off-Season

Many pitchers spend much of their off-season time in weight and exercise rooms, but new Angel left-hander Allen Watson adds some flavor to his winter training. --He plays basketball almost every day at his old high school in New York City.

“I love basketball,� said Watson, who was traded by San Francisco for first baseman J.T. Snow in November.

Watson, a 27-33 pitcher, is still trying to fulfill his baseball potential, but he is probably one of baseball’s best basketball players.

In his senior season, 1987-88, at Christ the King in Queens, Watson started and averaged 12 points a game on a 25-3 team that included six future Division I players and one NBA player--Khalid Reeves, Arizona and the New Jersey Nets; Derrick Phelps, North Carolina; Jamal Faulkner, Arizona State and Alabama; Carl Beckett, St. John’s; Nick Sanchez, Florida, and Carlos Easterling, Rhode Island.

“I learned to deal with a lot of pressure in high school, and that goes a long way toward helping you down the road,� he Watson said. “I’m not afraid of crowds.�

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Thursday night’s exhibition game against Brigham Young was rained out, robbing several young Angel pitching prospects of a chance to perform in front of the major league staff. “I know it’s just a college team, but it’s a chance to take the mound in a game situation and show them what I can do,� said Matt Perisho, a 21-year-old left-hander. . . . The Angels agreed to terms with pitcher Jason Dickson, who is bidding to become the team’s No. 5 starter, and catcher Todd Greene, who will either be a backup or will start the season at triple-A Vancouver. . . . For the record: The $1.5-million advance and $1 million in deferred salary given Tim Salmon were included in the four-year, $22.5-million extension he agreed to Wednesday. The Times incorrectly reported that those payments were to be made in addition to the $22.5 million in base salary. Individual regular-season game tickets will go on sale at the Anaheim Stadium box office beginning Saturday at 9:30 a.m.