Popo’s notes from Reds Spring Training

GOODYEAR, Ariz. - It's Monday, Feb. 18, 2013:

LIVE FROM GOODYEAR: There was "live" pitching in camp on Sunday, meaning that real pitchers were on the mound to throw batting practice, not just coaches. It's the time when young pitchers are trying to make an impression and the hitters are just trying to find the ball.

LEAVING A MARK: Daniel Corcino, who appears to throw pretty hard, came inside bit too tight and hit Ryan Hanigan on his upper left arm. Hanigan stepped out for several minutes and then hit again.

WORRIED MAN: "I hope nobody gets hurt ... with hamstrings," Dusty Baker wished aloud to reporters on Sunday. He knows games start on Friday, and it's an early start to the Cactus League Season. There are 37 games this spring as opposed to 33 last year. It allows major league baseball to fit it the World Baseball Classic and still get in their necessary games. "I imagine the kids will play a lot," Baker said .

THE SITUATION: The Reds spent a portion of Sunday's practice on situational drills with rundowns. A situation is created (such as a runner on second with one out), then the ball is hit back to the pitcher and he has to react. It usually goes smoothly in the drills, but it's sometimes chaos in the heat of a game.

SITUATION UNDER CONTROL: Aroldis Chapman took the mound for one of the situational drills and Chris Speier yelled out "one out, man on first." Joey Votto, who was playing first base, yelled back "It never would happen." We all wondered "What do you mean?" Votto replied: "He would have struck the guy out."

DIRTY WORK: Former Louisville manager Rick Sweet was working with catchers in camp, bouncing ball after ball in front of them, getting them ready for a bunch of 50-foot pitches this season.

CENTER OF ATTENTION: Newly picked up Manny Parra got in some bullpen throws after having some problems with a sore neck. He's a veteran left-hander who could be helpful in the bullpen. Pitching coach Bryan Price, trainer Paul Lessard and Special Assistant Cam Bonifay were all watching his progress.

SIGN HERE: Good day for autographs in Goodyear. Votto, Choo and Phillips all took time to sign as they walked from station to station. Phillips worked his way down a lengthy fence line of fans who wanted his autograph.

HIT IT SQUARE: I mentioned to Dusty Baker that Jay Bruce wants to be more consistent at the plate. "I feel his frustration," said the Reds skipper. "He fouls too many off."  That puts him into constant strikeout situations.

REMEMBER MIKEY: Dusty has brought up Mike Leake's name a couple of times in the morning conversation with reporters. It seems like Leake has been the forgotten man with the plans to convert Aroldis Chapman to a starter. Baker told reporters not to write off Leake saying, "Two years ago, he was the talk of the town."

MONDAY QUIZ: Who doesn't fit into this hitting group we saw Sunday at Goodyear: Xavier Paul, Todd Frazier, Cesar Izturis and Chris Heisey?

• THE ANSWER: Todd Frazier, obviously, because he should be the starter at third base. The other three should be key players off the bench this season.

WEIGHT MATTERS: Billy Hamilton is listed at 160 pounds in the Reds media guide. That has to be a stretch. His pants are baggy.

ON THE COURT: Another defense-less All-Star game as the NBA's West beat the East Sunday night, 143-138.  Chris Paul was the MVP with 20 points and 15 assists.

ON THE TRACK: Danica Patrick made history by grabbing the pole for next Sunday's Daytona 500. "I was brought up to be the fastest racer, not the fastest girl." said Danica after her big day.

ON THE ICE: More than 52,000 fans watched No. 12 Notre Dame beat No. 3 Miami 2-1 in the Hockey City Classic played outdoors Sunday at Soldier Field in Chicago. Had to be thrilling for the college kids to play in that environment.

BACK TO THE SUN: I'll be live tonight on 9 On Your Side with reports from Goodyear at 5:30 p.m. and 6 p.m.

Remember the sunblock ...

Popo