Monday...sun...clouds...still undefeated

Today was baseball extraveganza. We started with watching some of the Reds vs Brewers makeup game from yesterday. They played this one at 9:00 a.m. Then we went down to the Indians side to watch an intersquad scrimmage with the Indians. Brenda got autographs on game balls from Shin -Soo Choo, Charlie Nagy, Grady Sizemore, Travis Hafner, Luis Valbeuna, Mark Grudzielanek and others. We came with 14 game balls to get signed and have snagged another 20 balls and still have 15 unsigned balls for the rest of the week. After the Indians scirmmage , we went to the main stadium to watch the Reds clobber the KC Royals 14-5. The Indians had a main game with the Diamondbacks at Tuscon . The Tribe stayed undefeated as they won 3-2.

Today was Reds reporting day so here are Tim's tips on the Reds.....

-I love the infield of Joey Votto at 1B, Brandon Phillips at 2B, Orlando Cabrerra at SS, and Scott Rolen at 3B. The left side appears a little slow but they all hit above average and cover each other very nicely!

-The outfield including Wladimire Balentien, Jay Bruce, Chris Dickerson, Chris Heisey, and Drew Stubbs are above average hitters but like the infield they lack some speed. I think the Reds will touch the plate quite a few times but the defense may keep you near the edge of your rocking chair.

-With the Reds having been in Florida so long for spring training they have no local Arizona fan base. Even the Indians have an Arizona fan base from their years here twelve years ago prior to Florida. The crowd was announced as 2,345 but that must have included 700 mothers that may have been expecting because I doubt that there were 1,000 at the game. Sure they were playing the Royals, but they too have little following.

-Spent a great deal of time talking with Reds Hall of Famer, Eric Davis as he does some special instruction with the Reds this spring. Davis is quite the entertainer as he works the crowd with his dancing, humor, and wonderful smile! He looks as if he could step on the field and play today. I asked if he is at playing weight as he looks in tip top shape and he said he is 6 pounds over palying wieght from 20 years ago. I gained 6 pounds at breakfast!

-Pitching looked good today as Bronson Arroyo carried 2 solid innings, as did the phenom Aroldis Chapman. Chapman looked good with some major league heat but had a few mini jams in his two innings. Both jams he struck out two batters to end the innings. From what I have seen so far, he is going to be a "ball worthy" autograph. The Byers rating scale of whether an autograph goes on a photo of a game ball or an actual game ball. Son -in -law and Reds fan Brent now is the proud owner of a game ball with the Chapman signature.

-Dusty Baker is a class act but I am feeling heat from owners and those around the Reds that this year they must be a contender in order for him to keep wearing the Reds uniform.

-Spent some time with Roger and Becky Salisbury from Van Wert, talked with folks from Lima, Toledo, Findlay, Dayton, Ft. Jennings, Wauseon, and many from Cleveland and Cincinnati.

Another good day and judging by my tingling scalp, the sun is back!

Heading to Peoria, AZ Tuesday to see the Tribe play Seattle then a day off of baseball on Wednesday to hit the "pink jeeps"of Sedona.

For all you Reds fans enjoy the following pictures: