Staff Writer Dan Hayes wrote on Feb 19, 2008 11:40 AM:Hey, hope everyone is ready with some questions. Heath is just finishing his workout and will be joining us shortly.

Staff Writer Dan Hayes wrote on Feb 19, 2008 11:56 AM:All right everyone. Heath's here and ready to go. So let's get started.

Staff Writer Dan Hayes wrote on Feb 19, 2008 11:58 AM:For those of you who don't know, Heath's in his second year with the Padres. He spent the previous nine seasons with the New York Mets organization and came over in a November 2006 trade with Royce Ring for Ben Johnson and Jon Adkins.

I'll ask the first question: Heath, how was your offseason?

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 11:59 AM:It was good. I played a lot of Ninetendo Wii with my kids.

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:03 PM:Wii Sports fitness is pretty good.
There's a game called Metro ... does any have tips on to open the door on the first stage or where to go?

Moderator wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:04 PM:Heath, thanks for joining us. I'm curious. The NCT ran a column about Barry Bonds potentially joining the Padres this season. What would you think about that?

Staff Writer Dan Hayes wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:04 PM:Heath was born in Oceanside but didn't live there for too long.

When did you leave and what memories do you have from growing up there? Were you around San Diego much as a kid?

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:06 PM:I'd asked for him an autographed bat for one. Two, it wouldn't be that cool because I heard he's not a team player.

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:09 PM:I lived in O'side for four years when I was born before my father got transfered to El Toro Marine Base in Orange County and we moved to Tustin.

I have six cousins that live in San Diego and my grandmother, some aunts. So I was in Escondido and Del Mar all the time. We used to Qualcomm and watch games right around the time that Fred McGriff, Gary Sheffield and Tony Gwynn played together. Right before the fire sale.
Then when I was in the minors and home for the offseason, 2B Quilvio Veras got me tickets a few times in September because we had the same host family in rookie ball.

CB wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:11 PM:Hey Heath, tell me about working out in Arizona as opposed to Florida, I know you live there in the off-season.

Jack M. wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:14 PM:Hi Heath. Who do you think will win the NL West this year? What teams are you most afraid of?

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:38 PM:Of course I think the Padres are going to win. And I'm not really afraid of anybody but I think the toughest team will be LA. I think if I'm going to be scared of any team it's going to be SF because they have a bunch of unknown talent that could sway the division.

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:39 PM:Arizona's easier to work out in because there's not as much humidity. In Florida the humidity drains you a lot quicker and tires you out. But the ball does fly in Arizona a lot better so you really must keep the ball down.

Quisanator wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:41 PM:How much satisfaction do you get from showing the Mets what they had an overlooked?

Moderator wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:41 PM:Sorry everyone had some technical difficulties. But we're back up and running now. Thanks for your patience.

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:43 PM:I don't think words can put how much satisfaction I have and especially what happened to them. The Mighty Mets fell at the end of the year. I love the Mets' players ---- all the guys there. I just think the staff isn't as good as they portray it to be and that's why they fell.

Always wondered wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:43 PM:What do you guys do in the bullpen during a blowout to keep things interesting?

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:45 PM:Flick sunflower seeds at the center field camera guy. We try to spin cups. We'll talk about some practical jokes we're going to play on someone in the future and we'll probably rag on something I did ---- or said ---- earlier in the day.

Staff Writer Dan Hayes wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:45 PM:Speaking of pranks, did you see the one the Phillies pulled on Kyle Kendrick?

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:48 PM:I heard about it and I thought it was a great prank, something we should do in the future. I also think KT would be in on it because he would have fun with it to. From what I've heard pranks don't happen as much as they did in the past.

Staff Writer Dan Hayes wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:51 PM:How do you kill time when you're in Arizona for seven weeks?

Moderator wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:52 PM:Seriously, what would you think of Barry Bonds as a Padre? Sunday's story

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:55 PM:I walk around Costco and see if there's any new cool electronic stuff. Go to Toys 'R Us to buy toys and Sports Authority has a lot of discount toys or paint ball guns. I play video games but I'm struggling this year because my kids kept the Nintendo Wii and I don't have any video games. So I'm deciding if I should get XBox 360 or Playstation 3. Anyone have any suggestions?

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:56 PM:It would be a bad move on the Padres' part because we'd have a slow left fielder who's not a team player. It'd bring too much controversy to the clubhouse. But at least I wouldn't throw strikes to him and have the umpire call it a ball.

Bernie from El Cajon wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:56 PM:If Don Drysdale, Bob Gibson and Juan Marichal pitched today would they throw at Bonds? How come more pitchers don't throw at Bonds?

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:58 PM:Yes they would definitely have hit him. I think the reason we don't do that nowadays was because back then you could pitch inside or hit somebody for pimping a home run. They got a home run off you and you him them and you were even. Now you're considered a head hunter and a dirty player. That's why pitchers don't go inside.

Moderator wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:59 PM:Xbox... no contest. I used to swear by the PS2, but I was finally sold on the 360 after playing online for a bit.

Patrice wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:59 PM:When do you hope to become a closer? How much have you learned from Trevor?

Staff Writer Dan Hayes wrote on Feb 19, 2008 12:59 PM:Guys, that's all the time Heath has for today. Thanks to Heath for stopping by and helping us out and thanks for your patience.

Heath Bell wrote on Feb 19, 2008 1:01 PM:I've learned a lot from Trevor and when he decides to hand the torch over, that's when I'll become the closer. I don't want to take it until he's ready to hand the torch over to me.

Moderator wrote on Feb 19, 2008 1:01 PM:Indeed. Thanks Heath. Good luck with the season.

Patrice wrote on Feb 19, 2008 1:02 PM:Thanks Heath you looked good out there working out. Good luck, Thanks Dan!