"Most players think spring training is too long. For a catcher trying to learn a new pitching staff, it's not nearly long enough.

That's what Russell Martin is facing over the next five weeks, as he takes a crash course on the Yankees' pitchers.

"Pitchers are different, man," Martin said. "They're strange birds. They would admit it, I'm sure."

Martin caught CC Sabathia's batting practice session Thursday, the first time he has worked with the ace. He started to get a sense of Sabathia's stuff - "He's got a nasty two-seamer" - but getting to know the lefthander on a personal level will be equally important for the catcher.

"It's really seeing how they act when they're in game mode," Martin said. "Some guys have different body language, you can recognize that. Some guys get mad at themselves and try and refocus. Everybody is different out there. You just have to get to know the personality. Some guys you're going to pat on the back, some guys you're going to try to light a fire under their butt.""