Boston Red Sox outfielder Crawford met with former University of North Carolina baseball coach Mike Roberts Saturday to work on his baserunning.

Roberts has worked with Crawford before but he was approached this time because Crawford stole just 18 bases last season, the fewest of his major league career. The two spent time on a practice field in Fort Myers, Fla. going over footwork.

Roberts, who manages the Cotuit Kettleers in the Cape Cod League, is the father of Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts. He became the UNC coach at the age of 26 and coached the Heels for 24 years.

For his part, new Red Sox coach Bobby Valentine approves of the extra coaching. “I’m for whatever works for my players,” he said. “I have my coaches keeping an eye on him because I don’t want him to pull a hamstring. But if Carl is happy with it, so am I.’’