Some of DanO's philosophies going by the wayside

[Matt700wlw]

Hal McCoy, Dayton Daily News

For those Dayton Dragons fans wondering about the edict imposed last year that hitters must take a strike before they can swing, well, that rule went down swinging with the departure of Cincinnati Reds General Manager Dan O'Brien.

Reds manager Jerry Narron, speaking Thursday to the Dayton Agonis Club, brought it up without being asked and said, "On taking a first strike, I guarantee that it is out. Learning the strike zone and not taking strikes is important in the development of our hitters."

Dayton fans, and most Reds staffers, were strongly against the rule imposed by the recently fired O'Brien.

In addition, Narron said the Dragons won't be saddled with a 75-pitch limit for their starters. That rule forced the club to use two "starting pitchers" in piggy-back fashion last year.

"You do need some pitch limits on young arms, but you also have to build up arm strength and you do that by throwing," Narron said. "We will let 'em pitch."

[FrenchD1]

Good. I'm glad to hear this. The reformation of the Reds has begun...hopefully it will end with championship baseball back in Cincinnati as Mr. Castellini has promised.

[Caveat Emperor]

For good measure, the team has also banned employees from thanking more than 5 people during any press conference and also locked all binders the office supply closet.

[CincyReds2003]

Maybe they can ban the word competitive and replace it with winning, as well. I was so sick and tired of hearing the old front office say "we will remain competitive". So I guess records such as 67-95 was a competitive record, in their minds.

[Phil in BG]

Quite a change. Everything is so different now. Straight talk. Out with the old, in with the new. Good times are ahead. I think there is no doubt they are going to do everything they can to win. I agree on the competitive talk.

[deltachi8]

and there was much rejoicing