Gary Robinson leaned back in his desk chair at his office Tuesday night, still wearing his uniform after the Spikes' recent loss. The manager's office, located in the locker room of Medlar Field at Lubrano Park, is just a door away from the lockers of 32 young men who hope to continue their dreams of playing professional baseball.

Robinson understands the importance of helping his players improve so they can be promoted out of State College, but he approaches his team with optimism.

While the manager remained seated at his desk, he couldn't do much more than shake his head after watching his team squander a 4-0 lead. The loss to the Mahoning Valley Scrappers was the team's second loss in three days and after seeing some of his young pitchers struggle in the final three innings, Robinson remembered something very important -- It's Single-A short season baseball.

"It takes a lot to get me in the holler, scream, fine you mode," Robinson said. "Because these are young players. As long as they play the game we try to get them to understand that we have to play the game better for nine innings than the other team does. That's all you have to do."

Robinson realizes his players, who range from 20-24 years of age, are going to make mistakes as part of the learning process. The manager said he came into the season with only one hope. He wanted his players to work hard and he still believes the team will be successful because of its efforts.

While the hard work in practice and workouts has translated just a 5-7 record, Robinson said he is very pleased to be working with this group of players.

"These guys work hard," Robinson said. "They really work hard. They come to the ballpark everyday and refocus and that's what the Pirates expect and that's what's been drilled into them. I can't tell you how much fun it is to work with these guys."

Robinson's players are responding to the manager's methods.

Third baseman Matt Payne, who has struggled both offensively and defensively in the six games he's played, said Robinson's demeanor is different than previous coach Brad Fischer's

"I think Gary is a little more fiery than Fish," Payne said. "Everyone has a lot of respect for Gary, he's been in baseball for a long time and he's fun to play for."

After Payne committed his team-high sixth error Monday night, Robinson wasn't overly concerned or even critical about his third baseman.

"Matt Payne is a tough kid," Robinson said. "Matt Payne will figure out what's going on. I'm not worried about Matt Payne. We're gonna work with him every single day, but I can assure you of one thing, he is a tough kid and he will get it fixed I guarantee you."

Robinson knows there is still a lot of games left and a lot of room for improvement, but for the time being he is happy to be coaching this group of players.

"I am very, very proud of this group," Robinson said. "And they're getting better every single day and you know what -- we're gonna be fine."