FORT MYERS, Fla. – Imagine a gorgeous 40-year-old single woman who is torn between advances from young men and offers from older, more worldly suitors.

To solve the dilemma, how about forcing two men, one at each end of the aforementioned age spectrum, to live together and compete for a single woman’s affections in a series of wild, romantic challenges.

It’s a reality series idea, one of several developed by Covelli Loyce Crisp, better known to baseball fans as “Coco” Crisp, and co-creator Marcus Andrews.

The Boston Red Sox hope Crisp’s imagination and personality will be the perfect complement to his outstanding playing skills as he takes over this season in center field.

Crisp’s infectious smile beamed as he handed a sportswriter the folder that outlined some reality show and game show concepts.

Crisp’s grandmother called him “Co” when he was a child and his two siblings nicknamed him “Coco” after the cereal Cocoa Krispies.

This spring, Crisp is among Boston’s leading hitters with a .421 average (8-for-19) with two doubles, a triple and three stolen bases. The 26-year-old appears to be moving into the prime of his career this season, his first with the Sox.

“We love him,” said Sox manager Terry Francona. “We’re thrilled. He’s a very exciting young player.”

Crisp, a speedy outfielder who spent his first four big league seasons with Cleveland, came over to Boston along with catcher Josh Bard and pitcher David Riske in the February trade that sent pitcher Guillermo Mota, third baseman Andy Marte and catcher Kelly Shoppach to the Indians.

“He’s got good energy, good speed,” Francona continued. “He’s a switch hitter. He’s going to hit some home runs. His best years are right ahead of him. We got him at the perfect time.”

Expectations for Crisp are high, and not only in terms of what he can do on the field. He is replacing an icon in the easygoing Johnny Damon, who signed with the Yankees during the offseason.

“He had the long hair, the rock star thing. I’ll cast him in one of my movies,” Crisp offered, considering the possibilities.

Indications are Crisp might have the kind of talent and charisma that will help Red Sox fans forget about Damon.

“I think it’s overrated, the hype or the pressure a ballplayer might feel,” said Crisp, who knows how rabid Red Sox fans are. “Obviously, the fan support is tremendous.”

Despite the comparisons, Crisp is comfortable filling Damon’s shoes and seems to have a winning personality. He politely interacts with fans in the stands and jokes easily with members of the media.

“He’s got a great demeanor,” Francona said. “He’s got a lot of poise. His smile is legit. It’s pretty cool. He’s got a little bit of David Ortiz. When you talk to him, you feel important.”

Crisp, a 6-foot, 180-pound speedster from Los Angeles, is penciled in as Boston’s leadoff man. The switch hitter batted .300 with 15 stolen bases in 2005, mostly as the No. 2 man in the order.

He knows there will be expectations that he will get on base consistently to set the table for the likes of Ortiz, Manny Ramirez and Trot Nixon.

“On-base percentage is big, because you want to be able to get on base so the big guys have an opportunity to get you in,” Crisp said. “Runs scored depend on the people that have to hit you in, but obviously you’ve got the guys here that can [do that].”

The Red Sox haven’t shown a propensity to attempt stealing a lot of bases, but Crisp is up to the challenge if the need arises.

“I’m not fast – I’m extremely fast,” Crisp offered in his defense, breaking into laughter.

“I haven’t really been allowed to run out there through the course of my career so far, but that’s fine with me,” Crisp said. “If they allow me to do that, I’ll be more than willing to go out there and try to do the best I can, but it all depends on what the philosophy’s going to be.”

Crisp, who went 0-for-3 Monday against the Dodgers, provided a preview of his defensive skills – although not until after he failed to handle a fairly routine fly ball to left-center in the first inning.

With two out in the fourth, Crisp raced from center field into the gap in left-center and made a diving backhanded catch of a Matt Kemp drive to the edge of the warning track. After the inning, teammates Ramirez and Alex Gonzalez greeted him at the dugout with congratulatory slaps of their gloves.

Crisp, a seventh-round choice of St. Louis in 1999, spent four years in the Cardinals’ system before being traded to Cleveland in 2001. He has been pleased with his transition to the Boston organization.

“As soon as I came here I sat down next to [Josh] Beckett and he starts joking around right away,” Crisp said. “It’s so light and easygoing here. So far it’s been pretty easy to get to know everybody. It’s a good situation.”