Farrell preparing for new rule changes

FORT MYERS, Fla. -- With the expansion of instant replay and the elimination of home-plate collisions coming into play this season, Red Sox manager John Farrell will get a crash course on Sunday in Port Charlotte.

Former managers Joe Torre and Tony La Russa, who currently work for Major League Baseball, are both expected to help demonstrate the new rules.

"It's not that we're going to be looking to add something new, but if in fact the blocking of the plate is eliminated and we get that clarification, then there's some teaching that's got to go along with it," said Farrell. "Instinct is going to take a catcher into the line aggressively to block the plate and, I don't want to say inflict harm, but it's a collision play that's going to be eliminated. There's going to be some redirection on the catcher's side as well."

And as for replay? Farrell will get some practice with that during Grapefruit League games that are televised.

"It's the best we can do in the Spring Training setting," Farrell said. "It's going to be completely different than what's available to us in the regular season. At least we'll have three or four opportunities to go through the mechanics of it if a play is challenged."