"When you're in a leadership position, it's important to be here," Shaun Hill said Friday on the first day of a weekend camp. "We were asked to come and we're here."

"We" includes Hill's friend and rival for the starting quarterback job, Alex Smith. Every time the two men step on the field, in Smith's words, "it's on. We're competing."

So it was on a damp afternoon as Hill and Smith pitched passes to various rookies and free agents in an attempt not to win friends but to influence the right people - namely, coach Mike Singletary and offensive coordinator Jimmy Raye.

"It matters every day," Singletary said. "I'm not leaving it to Jimmy and Mike Johnson, quarterbacks coach. Every day we talk. I'm excited for Alex. I'm excited for Shaun. That competition will continue to go forward. As soon as we can, we do want to announce a starter."

Singletary seemed to be of a mind to settle on a starter before training camp begins in late July or possibly at the start of camp. The 49ers will hold a mandatory minicamp June 5-7 and have several organized team activities in May and June.

Whoever earns the job, Singletary said "it's that quarterback who when he steps in the huddle, magic happens."

Based on his 7-3 record as a starter, it would seem to be advantage, Hill. Smith, meanwhile, is continuing to rehabilitate his twice-repaired right shoulder that he initially hurt Sept. 30, 2007. He will have no restrictions in this minicamp.

"It's good. It's definitely better than where I was a month ago, and a month ago it was better than it was a month before that," Smith said. "The continuation of me lifting and throwing will get my arm in shape. Feeling good. Good news."

Both principals hope the competition does not continue throughout training camp, for themselves and for the betterment of the team.

"The longer you carry it on, the more disadvantageous it would be for either one of us and the team," Smith said. "The earlier the decision is made, the more reps he'll get with the starters. I've got to get back in there and push. This counts, too."

With the best wide receiver in the draft Michael Crabtree, a former Pro Bowl player as a potential starter at right tackle Marvel Smith, a promising rookie tight end Bear Pascoe and three running backs competing for the right to back up Frank Gore Glen Coffee, Thomas Clayton and Kory Sheets, the 49ers look to be stronger on offense going into the 2009 season.

"I think we brought in some guys that are going to help us," Hill said. "The guys who are here are better than they were a year ago. I think we're a much improved offense."

BRIEFLY: Clayton, a preseason rushing star the last two years, is confident he'll get meaningful playing time behind Gore this season. "It's based on production, preparation and positive mind-set - the three P's. This is the year. Mark my words." ... Singletary said the 12 undrafted rookie free agents the 49ers signed "are not your average free-agent guys coming in. There are some guys that can possibly help us, step in and play this year." ... Friday's practice involved scrimmage plays as well as conditioning drills. ... Rookie draft pick Curtis Taylor intercepted a tipped Hill pass. ... The 49ers signed kicker Alex Romero, a first-year player from Nicholls State who played in the Arena League in 2008.