{image1} Neither Brady Clark nor Mike Adams was drafted, but both could play key roles for the Brewers this season.

Clark will be given a chance at starting in center field. Adams has a shot at the all-important closer role.

Both say they are going about their business in spring training just like they have done in the past.

"I come every year with the same goal of becoming a starting player," says Clark, who has three hits in an early spring game and has performed well overall. "Pretty much, I come to the ballpark during the regular season every day planning to be in the starting line-up until I see different."

Clark has earned the chance to start by performing well as a reserve outfielder the last two seasons. He set career highs in games played, at-bats, runs, hits, home runs, RBIs, walks and stolen bases last season, playing in right, center and some in left. He played in 128 games for the Brewers in 2003. So far this spring, Clark is hitting around .500.

For a guy who was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 1996 by the Reds, the 31-year-old Clark appreciates the chance the Brewers have given him.

"I'm a believer that things happen for a reason," says Clark, who also was with the Mets and was claimed by the Brewers when that team put him on waivers. "I was with the Reds. They traded me to the Mets. The Mets put me on waivers, and here I am in Milwaukee. Doug Melvin took a chance and picked me up.

"That's pretty much the story of my career. I never really got a true chance until I got here. There were a lot of naysayers out there. I always believed in myself. I always believed in my capabilities. I'm a guy who has to work hard to make it. I don't want to ever look back on my career and say, 'what might have happened if I had tried harder?'

"I did everything I could. I worked my butt off. I have no regrets. There are a lot of things you don't have control of as a player. But, how hard I play I do have control over."

Clark says he thinks center is a little easier than right or left because, "you don't get the slicing angles you get on fly balls." As for leading off, he did it in the minors.

"I'm not your speedster type leadoff hitter, but I have had a pretty good on-base percentage," Clark says. "I've had a knack for getting on base. I think that's what you want in a leadoff man, a guy who is going to get on base for you and put together a quality at-bat."

There have been rumors of a trade that would send infielder Wes Helms to the White Sox for Willie Harris, who can play center or second base. Melvin has denied that he has talked with the Sox.

In case Clark does falter, the Brewers are taking a good look at rookie Dave Krynzel. Clark is signed through this season, and most observers feel center is Krynzel's eventually. But, Clark has a chance to play there this season. If he performs well, who knows?

Adams as Closer

Adams was signed as a non-drafted free agent in 2001. He moved through the Brewers' farm system rather quickly and was called up last season.

Serving as a middle relief and setup man, Adams went 2-3, with a 3.40 earned run average. He showed "closer's stuff."

"I would love to be the closer," the 26-year-old Adams says. "That's the role anybody in the bullpen wants to have.

"They have said the opportunity is there (since the trade of Dan Kolb). 'Go out there and win the job. The job is going to be yours, but you have to earn it.'"

Like Clark, Adams has had to overcome obstacles to get where he is. "I've had to work my way up from the beginning," he says. "Every step of the way has been a little bit of a battle. I just want to continue the success I've had.

"This is a perfect place for me. If I was with a different organization, I might not even be in the big leagues right now. I might still be in the minor leagues."

Cactus League Notes

Ben Sheets will make his first start since undergoing off-season back surgery Thursday against the Royals. Sheets is expected to pitch two innings ... Melvin will hold a conference call with media from around the state from his Maryvale office on Thursday ... Newly-acquired Carlos Lee had three homers in the first five Brewers' exhibition games ... Rickie Weeks, Prince Fielder, Jose Capellan, J.J. Hardy and Mark Rogers were listed in Baseball America's Top 100 minor league prospects.

Hot Tix

The Bucks will host former coach Don Nelson and the Dallas Mavericks at 7:30 p.m. Friday at the Bradley Center. They travel to New Orleans on Saturday.

In college basketball, the UWM Panthers and UW Badgers will learn their pairings in the NCAA tournament this weekend. The Badgers will play Friday in the Big Ten tournament against the winner of Thursday's Ohio State versus Penn State game. But, they're likely in the NCAA no matter what they do in the conference tourney.

Marquette played in the C-USA tourney Wednesday. See results in a Sports Buzz Update on Thursday. The Golden Eagles' only chance to get into the NCAA would be to win the conference tournament.

Prep basketball also is into March Madness.

The Admirals host Houston at 7 p.m. Thursday and Cleveland at 7:30 p.m. Saturday at the B.C. The Wave hosts Kansas City at 1 p.m. Sunday at the U.S. Cellular Arena.

In Cactus League baseball action, the Brewers will play the Giants in Scottsdale on Friday and the Rockies in Tucson on Saturday and host the D-Backs at Maryvale on Sunday.