THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT 
              Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: Tuesday, August 13, 1996              TAG: 9608130443
SECTION: SPORTS                  PAGE: C2   EDITION: FINAL 
SOURCE: BY RICH RADFORD, STAFF WRITER 
DATELINE: NORFOLK                           LENGTH:   42 lines

``HAVE BAT, WILL TRAVEL'' IS HIS CALLING CARD

Jay Payton just wanted to get his swings. And he was willing to travel throughout the New York Mets' minor-league circuit to find at-bats.

Because Payton's right elbow underwent surgery for the second time in a year on May 20, Payton is limited to a designated hitter's role for the remainder of the season.

But in minor-league baseball, the desginated hitter rule is only in effect when one of the teams involved is an American League affiliate. That left Payton hopping up and down the eastern seaboard in search of American League competition.

In the last two months, Payton has played for the Rookie League Gulf Coast League Mets, the Class A St. Lucie Mets, the Double-A Binghamton Mets and the Triple-A Norfolk Tides.

``I never knew where I was going to be,'' Payton said. ``I was here, there, everywhere.''

Prior to surgery in May, Payton had struggled to a .200 batting average for the Tides (10 for 50). He has been on a tear since being reactivated. Payton has gone 30 for 73 (.411) for the Tides since surgery, upping his seasonal average to .325.

In a series at Rochester two weeks ago, Payton collected seven consecutive hits over two games. That promptly earned him a trip to Binghamton, followed by a tour in St. Lucie. All because the Tides were playing Ottawa and Richmond, both farm teams of National League clubs.

Payton rejoined the Tides Friday with Rochester in town and will remain with the Tides the remainder of the season, barring new developments. He will be used as a pinch-hitter when facing National League teams.

LOST DATE: The Tides' game with Rochester Monday night at Harbor Park was rained out and will not be made up since the two teams aren't scheduled to play one another again this season. Tickets for Monday's game can be exchanged for any remaining home game except Sept. 2 against Richmond or playoff games.

AROUND THE LEAGUE: Syracuse pitcher and former Old Dominion Monarch Jeff Ware was named International League pitcher of the week after shutting out Toledo, striking out 12, walking four and giving up two hits. Ware is 2-5 with a 5.68 earned run average for the Chiefs. Rochester's Domingo Martinez (.556, 3 home runs, 18 RBI) was named batter of the week. by CNB