By John Fay
The Cincinnati Enquirer

SARASOTA, Fla. - It was pretty apparent that the Reds weren't going to turn things around with a big signing in the offseason.

But they are trying to get better by doing little things.

Third base coach Mark Berry has spent a lot of time working on the team's baserunning - from going over signs, to simulating game conditions during batting practice for runners.

"The biggest thing I always heard was players don't like standing around," Berry said. "So while they're waiting to hit, we try to accomplish another thing."

The Reds have gone over the signs extensively the last five days.

"I know after I took over (as manager last season) we had some missed signs," Reds manager Dave Miley said. "In a close game, that really sticks out."

Berry also has been working with pitchers on baserunning.

"Through trades and free agents, we've got a lot of guys who have spent most of their career in the American League," Miley said. "We want to make sure they're up to speed."

Berry says the players have been good about paying attention to the details.

"They've been very receptive," he said. "They'd rather be doing something than standing around. The pitchers didn't like shagging (fly balls), so we don't have them doing that anymore. They're working on something else."

MORE SIGNS: Miley said he, Berry and first base coach Randy Whisler will stay together during the team's five split-squad days.

"We want to make sure we have the signs down and are comfortable with each other," Miley said.

Bench coach Jerry Narron will manage the "B" team on split-squad days.

READY TO GO: The Reds are ready to get the competition going. Today's first intrasquad game is a welcome break from their routine.

"These guys have worked hard to try to accomplish what we set out to," Miley said. "It will be nice to strap it on and play. It's a chance for the pitchers to get ready for the exhibition season."

The Reds will play 41/2 innings in each of the two intrasquad games.

HIRING AWAY: Johnny Almaraz, director of international scouting, added six scouts in the Dominican Republic and four in Venezuela.

Almaraz also named Marco Davalillo as the Reds' field coordinator for Latin America. Davalillo, 36, was hitting coach for the Gulf Coast League Reds last year, and previously managed the club's team in the Venezuelan Summer League.

"Marco is a perfectionist," Almaraz said. "He'll do a great job."

Almaraz also has been busy ordering supplies and equipment for the Reds' new facility in the Dominican. The Reds share a complex there with Arizona, the Chicago Cubs and Minnesota.

The team severed its ties with the baseball academy owned by former Reds pitcher Jose Rijo in the Dominican.

DOWN TO 2: The Reds signed Jose Acevedo, Brandon Claussen, Austin Kearns, Brandon Larson, Felipe Lopez and Stephen Smitherman to one-year contracts.

Only Ryan Freel and Adam Dunn remain unsigned. The contract renewal period begins today.

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E-mail jfay@enquirer.com