TAMPA, FLA. - Wanda Wilson was back at George M. Steinbrenner Field on Sunday -- and this time, she didn't have to worry about foul balls.

Her son, Twins outfielder Denard Span, made sure of it.

"She was somewhere behind the net," Span said. "When I put the tickets in for today, I wrote, 'Wanda Wilson -- behind the net.'

"In quotations."

Last March 31, Wilson was sitting in the front row near the Twins dugout when a foul ball off Span's bat struck her in the chest. She was sore but remained to watch the rest of the game.

On Sunday, she watched the Twins beat the Yankees 9-2 behind 11 hits and dropped fly balls by Derek Jeter and Daniel Brewer. Span was 3-for-4 with two runs scored and a stolen base.

"I'm hitting the ball on the barrel," said Span, who is hitting .393 in spring training games, "so it's definitely a good feeling."

He also was relieved his mother was sitting in a safer place. Span, who is from the Tampa area, had 30 friends and family members at the game, and they were easily heard when Span got on base. He expected to hear from all of them after the game.

"I'm sure I'll be answering the phone the whole way home on the bus," he said.

LA VELLE E. NEAL III