Russell Branyan called it a Catch-22. Scott Sullivan called it a lose-lose proposition. Some Reds didn't know what to call it.

        Discussion about how to approach an All-Star Game — whether to ensure everyone plays or ration pitchers for extra innings — got mixed reactions from five Reds players and two coaches interviewed Wednesday at a voluntary workout at Ciner gy Field. Few had strong feelings about the ending of Tuesday's game, other than that it was disappointing.

        “If I was a fan, I'd probably like to see somebody win,” Reds pitcher Jimmy Haynes said.

        The question was what the game should be considered: competition or exhibition.

        “Back in the day, it was more of a rivalry between the leagues,” Branyan said. “Now with free agency and players jumping around, this event has become more about entertainment. It has taken a backseat as far as the competitive edge.”

        Reds third base coach Tim Foli and hitting coach Jim Lefebvre engaged in a spirited debate about the game. Foli said it was “no big deal” that there wasn't a winner, but Lefebvre called the ending “embarrassing.”

        “People spent thousands of dollars to get tickets and come to Milwaukee, and you've got to have a win ner,” Lefebvre said. “It's the job of every manager to think about the potential for extra innings, even if you're holding guys back who may not get in the game.”

        Said Foli: “The (All-Star) game is about individual matchups now, pitcher vs.batter, and people got their money's worth.”

        Sullivan recalled that managers have been criticized in the past for not getting everyone in: “Willie (Scott Williamson) went in 2000, and people were mad when he didn't pitch.”

        Foli proposed a minimum of 12 pitchers per side, including some middle relievers who are accustomed to throwing up to three innings. The AL had nine available pitchers Tuesday and the NL 10.

        “You don't want anyone to throw four or five innings and not be able to make their next start,” Reds reliever Bruce Chen said.

        Added Reds catcher Corky Miller: “If the game doesn't go extra innings, everyone's happy. This had never happened before, and I'm not sure how often it would happen again.”

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