"Seated at the head of the table in the conference room, Charlie Manuel began lecturing. The Phillies manager will talk hitting until the day he dies, but there are some moments when he is especially determined to teach. And on this day, his topic was Ryan Howard.

"First time I ever saw Howard hit," Manuel said, "I used to say about him, get close to the plate."

There will be plenty of theories this spring about Howard, the 31-year-old slugger who has yet to even begin his five-year, $125-million extension and is coming off his worst season in the majors.

But Manuel is convinced he has the answer to preventing Howard from declining as many players with his skill set are apt to do as they advance in age. He wants Howard to move closer to the plate so he can hit with power to all parts of the field.

"I still think some of his best hitting is in front of him," Manuel said."