Our next edition of "Ask the Giants," exclusive to the Giants Jottings newsletter, will feature first baseman Lance Niekro. Submit your questions now for Lance.

How do you think Cal knew that you would be a good pitcher, and do you ever miss catching?
-- Jon C., Orinda, Calif.

I told them (at Cal) that I could pitch, and they told me to stick to catching. I pitched a little bit on my own in summer ball, and it got back to the coaches at Cal, so I guess that's how they knew.

I do miss catching. I don't miss blocking the balls, though.

What do you think is the trait most needed to be a good closer?
-- Andria W., Belmont, Calif.

A short memory.

I know that you are a crossword fan. In which publications do you find your favorite crossword puzzles?
-- Chloe J., San Francisco

USA Today, Monday through Friday, and then on the weekends, whatever the local paper is wherever we are, or the New York Times.

Can you talk a little about your feelings playing for the team you grew up following? Who was your favorite Giant growing up?
-- Art G., San Francisco

It's great, super. My favorite Giant growing up was a tossup between Will Clark and Matt Williams.

Being a local guy, how many tickets for each game do you have to try to get for family and friends?
-- Jo M., San Francisco

Not many. Since we get taxed on them, I only leave them for family or friends on rare occasions.

Which favorite Bay Area restaurant do you like to go to?
-- Cindy W., San Francisco

Probably Perry's on Union Street.

Do you feel more pressure playing at home than you did playing somewhere else, like New York?
-- Jacob W., San Francisco

It's different. I didn't have that much responsibility (in New York); I just got called up, and they weren't expecting me to pick in crucial situations, the seventh, eighth, ninth inning. So in that respect, it's different in that there is more pressure.

What's your favorite ballpark to pitch in?
-- Karin G., Rohnert Park, Calif.

Camden Yards. So far it's the best ballpark I've seen.

Which batter had been your most satisfying strikeout?
-- Steve H., Melbourne, Australia

Whichever one ends the game.

What are some of your other hobbies besides baseball?
-- Adrienne J., Fremont, Calif.

Golf. I don't have time for much else besides baseball.

If you could choose anyone to be your catcher, who would it be?
-- Sahil K., Cupertino, Calif.

Johnny Bench.

What is your favorite activity to do on the long plane rides?
-- Laura R., Mill Valley, Calif.

Crosswords.

When you have an evening game, say 7 p.m., what do you do the rest of the day?
-- Kimberly L., San Jose, Calif.

If we have a night game, I like to sleep in, and then I get to the ballpark early and work out and get ready for practice.

When and how did you first get interested in baseball?
-- Joe C., Gilroy, Calif.

I've played baseball for as long as I can remember.

Hey, Tyler, what SPF of sunscreen do you use?
-- Tova W., San Francisco

30.