The Reds are taking a cue from the NFL and holding a baseball version of minicamp.

        One by one, hitters are heading to Scottsdale, Ariz., to work with new batting coach Jim Lefebvre. So far, Sean Casey, Adam Dunn, Todd Walker, Ruben Mateo, Jason LaRue, Juan Encarnacion and Brady Clark have made the trip. Aaron Boone and Corky Miller are scheduled to go.

        “Minicamp has always worked in the NFL,” Lefebvre said. “The idea is for me to get familiar with them, make some suggestions. Then, when we get to spring training, we're ready to roll up our sleeves and go to work.”

        Lefebvre has an instructional facility set up at Scottsdale Community College. Dunn spent three weeks there. Players such as Walker and Casey came in for four-day tuneups.

        Lefebvre doesn't try to retool players' swings on the fly.

        “He knows everyone's different,” Dunn said. “He didn't try to change anything major. He gave me some ideas. I'm looking forward to working with him more.”

        Said Walker: “I've had hitting coaches who have tried to change everything I do. He recognized that you shouldn't have to do that. If you've made it to the majors, you're doing something right.”

        With Casey, for example, Lefebvre thinks he can improve Casey's power numbers without making him swing like a home run hitter.

        “We're a little concerned about the lack of power,” Lefebvre said. “But we want him to look for balls to hit hard. He's a very special talent. The guy can hit. You don't want to take away from that.”

        “He knows hitting,” Casey said of Lefebvre. “But he lets you be who you are. That's what I really like about him. He talks about extension and hitting through the ball.”

        Lefebvre has been impressed with what he has seen so far.

        “This team has a lot of talent,” he said. “Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. There's a lot of potential in this lineup. It's going to be a fun and entertaining team to watch.”

Reds players turn to Lefebvre for hits Hall of Famer Williams back in hospital

Taft's Martin wants more than wins
Wynn, Smith Parade All-Americans
Father-son teams square off
No. 2 Indians 49-35 victors over Oak Hills
Norwood not giving up
Reinhardt doing his part
Top-ranked Warriors want more
Girls basketball roundup: Ohio
Girls basketball roundup: Kentucky
AP Prep Notebook
Ohio boys basketball scores
Ohio girls basketball scores
Kentucky boys basketball scores
Kentucky girls basketball scores
Indiana boys basketball scores
Indiana girls basketball scores
No. 1 West rises above No. 2 East
Swimming: St. X junior dives in to help
Wrestling: Cummings captures confidence
How to beat Pats, Steelers? Bengals know
AFC: Georgia on rookies' minds
NFC: Rams pump up the volume
NFL notebook
XU staying low-key despite 9 straight wins
Boozer boosts No. 1 Duke by Boston College
No. 20 OSU runs Big Ten win streak to 13
Southern Indiana sweeps NKU men, women
Teen Ty Tryon has rough start at Phoenix Open
Portland is hot
Predators win in OT
Coming up this week

• Return to Reds front page...