Forget about shining. Jake Cuffman is happy to get out of the sun.

The Butler graduate and 14th-round choice of the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 2003 amateur draft has left the Gulf Coast League and will be pitching for the Class A short-season Williamsport (Pa.) Crosscutters this season.

Williamsport opened its season Tuesday night in New Jersey. The key word there is night.

"The Gulf Coast League is the toughest place to play in professional baseball," said Brian Graham, director of player development for the Pirates. "You're always in the hot sun, there's nobody in the stands. … It's not like real baseball.

"Just being able to pitch at night with people watching will be a big boost for Jake."

The 6-foot-4, 194-pound Cuffman threw his fastball 93 miles per hour quite frequently this spring with Bradenton in the Gulf Coast League. He pitched 41 innings, sported a 2.90 earned run average and batters were hitting just .204 against him.

"I have no idea what my strikeouts and walks were," Cuffman said. "They don't really keep track of that stuff down there. It's all in how you're throwing. And I thought I was throwing pretty well."

Cuffman was 2-2 in 14 games, including eight starts, over the past season and a half with Bradenton. He had 42 strikeouts and 36 walks in 38

innings pitched.

He will start his stint at Williamsport in the bullpen.

"My goal is to get into the starting rotation," he said. "I may get a spot start here or there and I'll work long relief. I'm anticipating getting a lot of innings."

Graham said the Pirates like the progress Cuffman's made to this point.

"He has good arm strength and that big frame," he said. "Jake's wind-up, release point, his balance - none of that is consistent just yet.

"For a pitcher to develop command of his fastball and consistently throw his breaking pitches for strikes, he needs consistency in his motion. Jake hasn't gotten there yet."

"I think my wind-up is getting consistent, but my release point needs to improve," Cuffman admitted.

The change of scenery may help him get there.

"Absolutely," Graham said. "We'll be keeping a close watch on him. He's going to feel like he's back to playing baseball again and we'll see how he responds."

Cuffman is the second-youngest pitcher on the Williamsport roster - Todd Redmond is two months younger - and is the third-youngest player on the team.

Williamsport is managed by former Pirate catcher Tom Prince.

"I just turned 20 in March and to be in this position right now, I'm thrilled," Cuffman said.

His father, Don Cuffman, watched him pitch frequently in Bradenton this season.

"He really does look like a different pitcher," Don Cuffman said. "He's not jerking his head as much on his breaking pitches.

"Jake's spent a lot of time in Florida working with the coaches. He's anxious to get going, to show what he can do."

Cuffman said his goal this year is to pitch well enough to begin next season with the Pirates' full-season Class A team in Hickory, N.C.

The depth of talented pitchers in front of him in the Pirates' system doesn't bother Cuffman, either.

"If I pitch well, I don't have to worry about that," he said. "This is a business and you have to take care of yourself.

"There are 29 other major league teams if the Pirates have no room for me once I develop to the point I'm ready. The key is to get ready. But believe me, I want to pitch for the Pirates."

And he doesn't mind building toward such an opportunity.

"Getting paid to do something you love - there's never anything wrong with that," he said.