The trio of Edmonton Trappers who all drew starting assignments for tomorrow night's Triple-A All-Star Game in Oklahoma City have been key figures in an enthusiastic group who have tried to ensure that the team has enjoyed every minute on the diamond. That plan has obviously worked.

Outfielders Michael Cuddyer and Michael Ryan along with first baseman Todd Sears have all played a significant part in the heavy-hitting Trappers sliding into the mid-season break with a 2 1/2-game lead over Tacoma in the Pacific Coast League's Northern Division. Since the fun factor has been so successful for the Trap, the triumvirate intends to play it up at the All-Star Game as well.

"It's good for the players to get the recognition and it's an honour but we're just going to go out and have a good time," said Cuddyer, who has surged in the last two months to be among the PCL leaders with a .316 average, 20 homers and 51 RBI.

NO. 3-RANKED PROSPECT

Cuddyer, the third-ranked prospect in the Minnesota Twins system, was the MVP of last year's Double-A classic, but failed to win the home-run derby. This time around the outgoing 23-year-old is aiming to claim the slugger crown, particularly if he can take it in a showdown with Ryan, who leads the PCL with both 22 round-trippers and 71 RBI.

Since high-stakes card games are an everyday occurrence in the Trap clubhouse, wagering on the number of bombs belted out of the Bricktown Ballpark in tonight's dinger derby should make for some interesting betting.

"Me and Cuddyer got something going. He's been talking trash for about two weeks," smirked Ryan. "He said he's going to smoke me. We'll have to talk about what's at stake - probably a dinner."

LET HIS BAT DO THE TALKING

Cuddyer, a fair competitor at the roulette wheel, isn't shying away from letting his bat speak for him.

"We all want to outdo each other, that's for sure, but it's friendly," smiled the Twins first-round pick in the '97 draft, who joined Sears earlier in the campaign as the only two Trappers to clear the Telus Field Green Monster.

Cuddyer has done his stint in the minor-league all-star games. Now it's just a matter of waiting patiently until he suits up for the big-league tilt.

"Oh, you got to get there first," laughed the powerful Virginian. "I'm just trying to improve and get to the Twins and let everything else take care of itself.

"You think about it, but you don't play for it. We're not geared to play this game to make an all-star game. You're geared to help your team win and just have fun playing baseball."

Ryan's hope for a positive all-star experience hinged on the Trap having a decent lead-in series in Sacramento. After taking three of four games from the River Cats, Ryan, who celebrated his 25th birthday on Sunday, was eager to take his hacks against Cuddyer in a showcase he never expected to be a part of.

The quiet Pennsylvanian has never been one of the Twins's highly regarded prospects, but a productive session of winter ball in Venezuela may make his quick bat a valuable commodity either in the Twin Cities or elsewhere.

"It just shows you how hard work pays off," said Ryan, a Single-A Midwest League all-star four years ago who becomes a free agent at the end of this season.

"Playing with a good team can bring things out of you and I'm just thankful of that. I thought it was always somewhere in there but I didn't think it was like this, to maybe hit 30 home runs and get 100 RBI. I thought one day I could but when?''

Like the kid in elementary school whose report card was highlighted with the comment 'Could do better if applied himself.'

"Smart kid but doesn't do his homework. If I do my homework my grades will be better," agreed Ryan. "Coaches I've had have told how good I was and told me what I could do if I worked hard.''

Sears, a previous all-star at the Single- and Double-A levels, figures he can't hang with his compadres in the home-run competition but he's ready to do his thing come game time.

Already wellthought of for his defensive play, the six-foot-five, 26-year-old Iowa native has developed a fine stroke at the plate and heads into the all-star game tied for tops in the league with a .347 average to go with 12 homers and 64 RBI.

"This could open some doors, you never know," said Sears. "It's something good to have on the resume for the future."