CHICAGO — The Reds plan to open Great American Ball Park next season with exhibition games on the Friday and Saturday before the traditional season opener on the first Monday in April.

        “It will give us a chance to do a dry run,” Reds chief operating officer John Allen said. “We'll have a lot of new systems and new employees. There's also an economic benefit. But the big thing is getting the dry runs in.”

        The Reds have talked to three teams about playing in the exhibitions: Boston, Cleveland and St. Louis.

        “Nothing has been finalized,” Allen said.

        The games will also serve another purpose.

        “We think it will give us a competitive advantage if we let our players get a feel of the new park,” Allen said.

        Traditionally, the Reds play the final two exhibition games of the spring at their minor-league affiliates' parks. This year, they played Minnesota in Chattanooga and Baltimore in Louisville.

        The team will save the Sunday before Opening Day as a workout day for the Reds and their opponent.

Cubs 6, Reds 4 Reds box, runs Boone grants Pineda's wish, makes him starter vs. Cubs Exhibitions to open Great American Ball Park Kearns plans a short stay in Louisville Kile: One moment vibrant, the next gone Kile's heart problem was treatable Mets' Alomar holding off Vidro in All-Star voting Louisville 8, Norfolk 7, 10 innings NL roundup AL roundup Notes from Monday's games

Contract talks continue with receiver Westbrook
Gerwin bides time in Men's Met
Keeneland likely site of re-creation
Ohio Am medalist Wedding fires 65
Recreation notes
Bitter Italy changes mind
South Korean team transformed
World Cup schedule
Brazilian forward stirs NBA draft interest
Kournikova yesterday's news with British tabloids
Coming up this week

• Return to Reds front page...