By Kevin Kelly
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - Once an odd-looking contraption ske-tched in pencil, John Riedling has turned a concept into reality.

The Reds relief pitcher designed the perfect strike zone - a portable mesh screen with a four-holed pitching target that designates the strike zone - as a way to keep throwing without a catcher during the offseason.

"There's nothing out there like this for us pitchers," Riedling said Wednesday. "It's definitely something that helps you improve."

Twenty-five of the devices, one of which was used by Riedling and three Pirates minor leaguers during offseason workouts in Wellington, Fla., have been made.

"We've had so much positive feedback that we just went and bought all the machines," Riedling said. "Now we're buying everything in bulk and are going to try and get them in catalogs."

If Riedling's plans go as hoped, there will be an additional benefit to the sale of the $179 Perfect Strike: Practice Partner of the Pros.

He is starting a charity to help ease the financial burden on families whose children have been diagnosed with cancer.

His 4-year-old nephew, Mikey Stremus, died from cancer in 1995.

Riedling will direct a portion of the proceeds from the strike zone device to the charity. He also is planning a celebrity golf outing at the Boca Del Mar Country Club in Boca Raton, Fla., next offseason.

LEADOFF MAN: Already anointed as the Reds' leadoff man by general manager Dan O'Brien, second baseman D'Angelo Jimenez isn't taking anything for granted.

"I'm just trying to fight and do my best to get a spot," he said.

Jimenez hit first in 86 games combined with the White Sox and Reds last season, batting .275 with a .350 on-base percentage and 11 steals in those games.

"You have to get on base," Jimenez said. "Your second, third and fourth hitters need to see what the pitcher is throwing even if you know.

"But you have to get on base to score and steal some bases."

WEATHERING STORM: Heavy rain forced the Reds to work out indoors Wednesday.

"We knew it was going to rain sooner or later in spring training," Miley said. "If it rains later in the spring, we've got it all set up."

Position players took batting practice. Pitchers threw off indoor mounds.

And everybody went over signs.

"It's a good sign day," Miley said. "We're going over bunt defensive signs, directive signs from the catcher to the pitcher. (Third base coach) Mark Berry will go over offensive signs.

"We've got a full slate though we can't get on the field."