AURORA, Colo. - A few of his high school players sauntered out to the diamond on a balmy Thursday afternoon, congregating near the infield grass that's beginning to turn brown.

A day after hearing the news that Walt Weiss, their coach at Regis Jesuit, was heading back to the big leagues as manager of the Colorado Rockies, they were still a little stunned. That was their coach, the one who just six months ago was taking grounders with them in practice as he guided the team to the state semifinals.

Now, Weiss is making the unusual leap from high school coach to major league manager.

His players are already imagining the possibilities: Maybe Weiss will give them a tour of the clubhouse, or perhaps invite them to watch batting practice at Coors Field.