The Rites of Spring: Practice at Harvard, Rindge

"A week in Florida is a reward in itself, especially after being in here for as long as we have," said a tired Dan Williams as the dust of Briggs Cage settled around him late yesterday afternoon.

Williams and the rest of the Crimson baseball team he captains will head for Day tons Beach on Friday for a well-deserved change of scenery. During their 8-day stay in the Sunshine State, the Crimson will play 17 games against such opponents as Milligan College, EmbryRiddle, Niagara, and the West Palm Beach Expos, the class AA affiliate of the Montreal Expos.

The Crimson's swing through Florida marks the end of their preseason in Briggs Cage. Harvard's mammoth indoor sandlot.

As the hardballers went through the rigors of one of their final days in the Cage yesterday, none seemed too choked up about their upcoming move outdoors, despite the swirling clouds of dust inside the dirt-floored structure.

"Finally, it looks as though we've got the team together, and now we're really looking forward to going South and getting out of the dust," manager George Russell said.

With past lettermen out for Coach Loyal Park's squad at all nine positions, Williams said it looks as though the team is "ready to go." He said he is "really encouraged by the way the team has looked" throughout the preseason.

The Crimson, who last year made it to the College World Series in Omaha, open their regular season on April 7, when they face Tufts at Soldier's Field.