By Brian Bennett, The Courier-Journal

SARASOTA, Fla. -- On Thursday, in his first at-bat since being assigned to the Triple-A Louisville RiverBats, Deion Sanders grounded out harmlessly to shortstop while leading off the first inning of a spring-training game against Rochester.

As Sanders returned to the dugout, Louisville manager Dave Miley jokingly told him, ''Booney (Cincinnati manager Bob Boone) wants you back over there. You're like 0 for 12 for us.''

In the next inning, Sanders -- who led off every spring-training inning to maximize his at-bats -- singled sharply to center. He then stole second base and, as the throw eluded the Rochester shortstop, scooted to third. Miley, coaching third base, was there to greet him.

''That a boy, D,'' he said, giving Sanders a congratulatory five.

When Sanders shows up in Louisville next week, the RiverBats hope to see him replicate his second performance more often than his first. They saw enough of the latter last year.

In 25 games in left field for the Bats, the Washington Redskins cornerback looked like a football player at the plate. After hitting just .200 (21 for 105) with three home runs and seven RBIs, Sanders abruptly canceled his comeback attempt in May.

So it was somewhat surprising to see Sanders, 33, back in a baseball uniform this spring, again trying to make a major league roster for the first time since he played for the Reds in 1997. He exceeded modestat-best expectations this spring, hitting .244 with one RBI. He also had five stolen bases in six tries and a team-high 10 runs scored. What's more, his defense, which at times was scary at Louisville Slugger Field last year, has looked much better.

''It's a night-and-day difference between this year and last year,'' said Reds general manager Jim Bowden, who has long been one of Sanders' most ardent supporters. ''He has improved all facets in his game since the last time we had him in 1997.''

Under baseball rules, Sanders won't be eligible to play for Cincinnati until May 1 because he last played for the Reds and signed as a free agent in January. Sanders will spend a few extra days at the springtraining complex in Sarasota before joining the Bats for their April 9 game against Toledo.

Boone said Friday that he expected Sanders to join the big-league club on or shortly after May 1, assuming he plays reasonably well in Louisville.

''I'm not worried about what the numbers are, whether he's hitting .350 or .220,'' Boone said. ''I'm just worried about the consistency of his swing. He has shown us he has bat speed and leg speed.

''I think we've been really excited about him (being) back to where he was. He has accomplished something in six weeks of spring training that a lot of people were questioning.''

As the Reds and RiverBats broke camp yesterday, Sanders was given the day off and was unavailable for comment. The contents of his locker, including Nike cleats with gold crosses emblazoned on the heels, remained unpacked.

Sanders has said this spring that he still has the desire to play baseball and that he hasn't told the Redskins whether he plans to return to the National Football League this fall.

''He looks a lot more focused toward baseball,'' Bats outfielder Brady Clark said. ''You can tell he prepared himself a lot for this year.''

A right ankle injury slowed Sanders considerably last year. Despite his 10 steals, he lacked the explosiveness on the base paths that he had demonstrated in past years. He often appeared frustrated at not being able to go full speed.

''Last year he wasn't productive or healthy, and it wasn't Deion,'' Bowden said. ''This year it's Deion.''

Miley said he's looking forward to seeing what a healthy Sanders can add to his lineup.

''He has played really well for us this spring,'' Miley said. ''He's moving as well as I've ever seen him.''