Reds Got Talent Off The Field

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Fun loving Jared Hughes brought a nerf basket into the spring training clubhouse in 2019, David Bell's first season as manager.

The Reds played soccer on the back fields as part of conditioning rather than running sprints.

Last season, the team took out a picnic area and put up basketball hoops.  This year the Reds are planning a 3-pt. shooting contest.

If one walks past the clubhouse while it is in session, you can hear the cheers and laughter.  Last spring the Reds brought in portable basketball hoops. 

With all the new faces in camp, the players are getting to know each other by performing in a "Reds' Got Talent" contest.  It is a private, player's only talent show.  Players can sing, dance, perform magic tricks or a stand up comedy routine.

"It was so much fun," Bell said. "We can't overdo it but that's it for this year.  The 3-pt. contest is coming up next week. That'll be outside so there won't be any hiding that.  We have a really good basket for it.  We have the lines painted. A lot of staff, a lot of players signed up for it.  The weather is nicer next week.  We actually pushed it back.  It helps us to get to know each other."

Veteran Joey Votto is the emcee for the show.  Apparently, he's been spotted in various costumes.

It is not entirely new as a team building exercise goes. Adam Dunn brought karaoke equipment during his year with the Reds.  He would choose songs for the performers, famously assigning a young Jay Bruce the task of singing Barry Manilow's Copa Cabana.