Tuesday, April 03, 2001
Relievers unhappy with new digs
By Chris Haft
The Cincinnati Enquirer
After inheriting a 4-4 tie, Reds relievers combined to allow the Atlanta Braves' final six runs in Cincinnati's 10-4 Opening Day loss Monday. But the bullpen was disturbed not just by its performance, but also by its accommodations.
To see the action on the field, relievers must sit in newly constructed, elevated areas that rise above the 8-foot wall. Those crow's nests are situated underneath the extended outfield portion of the blue seats.
This prevents pitchers from seeing replays on the video screen in the right- field upper deck. It also places them closer to abusive fans — including two who christened the season by heaping verbal abuse on the Reds, according to Danny Graves.
That wasn't the only loss of privacy. To reach the restrooms, visiting-team relievers must trespass into Cincinnati's bullpen by crossing the wall that divides the two warmup areas.
Before Cinergy Field's reconfiguration, relievers loosened up in foul territory down the left- and right-field lines. Now they have their own private areas — and their own new problems.
Graves said that being blocked from the replays de prives pitchers of useful information. “A lot of times, you like to see what pitch (opponents) hit or where the location was,” he said.
The location of the fans, said Graves, was a little too close for comfort.
“We're under them. It's not like they're a few rows behind us,” he said. “So, as we're walking down the stairs, we can have stuff thrown at us.”
Receiving loud criticism from the fans, said right-hander Scott Sullivan, “just comes with the territory nowadays. You hear it on the road, you hear it from your home fans, you hear it in every park and situation. They feel like they put the money up for the ticket, so that gives them the right to say what they please. I don't mind, if it's not a lot of cursing and verbal abuse in front of children — that's when it really bothers me.”
Sullivan's willing to endure this attention, as long as the abuse doesn't become physical.
“You can say what you want to, as long as you don't throw anything at us,” he said.
As for the bathrooms ... how would you like it if a stranger walked in from the street to use your toilet?
Sullivan noted that relievers had to share the bullpen bathroom at County Stadium in Milwaukee, which the Brewers have left for Miller Park. But, he added, visiting players didn't have to walk through Milwaukee's bullpen to get there.
Sullivan said under Cinergy's current conditions, “I could see some potential conflicts, if you had a heated brawl or incident the previous night.”
Said Graves, “You're friends with the guys on the other team, but when the game's on, you don't need to walk in each other's bullpens. Maybe that just sounds a little territorial, but that's not how it's supposed to be.”
Graves didn't want to sound as if he were whining.
“If they don't change it, fine. It's not going to make or break our season. That's not why we didn't pitch well today. Hopefully we can find solutions to work something out.”
Reds Stories
Prosser said to be staying put
Xavier kicks Price out
Departures open two scholarships
Duke beats Arizona for third title
DAUGHERTY: Dunleavy was the difference
Finalists could be back next year
UK, Smith near contract extension
Cincinnati high school highlights
Cincinnati high school baseball
Cincinnati high school softball
Other Cincinnati high school results
N.Ky. high school results
New Bengals QB gets to work
• Return to Reds front page...
Relievers unhappy with new digs
