The Cincinnati Reds are scheduled to play their first game in Great American Ball Park on Opening Day, 2003.  The Reds Hall of Fame which is located on the west side of Great American Ball Park is scheduled to open in 2004.

The playing field measurements are as follows:
Left field foul line: 328 feet with a 12 foot wall (same as Crosley Field)
Outfield's deepest point: 404 feet with an 8 ft. wall (same as Cinergy Field prior to modification)
Right field foul line: 325 feet
Left field power alley: 379 feet with a 12 foot wall
Right field power alley: 370 feet with an 8 foot wall
Natural playing grass surface: 2.9 acres

Great American Ball Park will have 42,053 seats, which is roughly equivalent to the number of seats currently in Cinergy Field (after modification).

The budget for the Great American Ball Park has been set at $280 million, payable by Hamilton County.  Any costs over the $280 million will be covered by the Cincinnati Reds.

Depending on water level, it is approximately 580 feet between home plate and the Ohio River.  Very few home runs ever reach 500 feet, much less 580.  Even Mark McGwire’s longest home run was about 30 feet shy of that mark.  However, Mickey Mantle’s record for the longest measured home run in a major-league game is 634 feet, proving that it is possible—but unlikely.

The Cincinnati Reds will continue to play in Cinergy Field through the 2002 baseball season.  Shortly after the season ends, demolition work on Cinergy Field will begin.

This opening is officially called the “Gap.” A feature unique to the Great American Ball Park, the Gap is a structural element that brings the upper deck seating area much closer to the playing field than most, if not all, upper decks in baseball.  Thanks to the Gap, fans seated in left field decks will have a direct view of the playing field, rather than the outfield. Bridges connecting the two sides of the Gap also will create some of the most breathtaking concourse views in baseball.

In addition to these benefits, the Gap also opens up the ballpark allowing fans inside a view of the city, and pedestrians outside a view of the field.

The Reds Hall of Fame is scheduled to open in 2004.  Construction on the facility will begin once the remaining portion of Cinergy Field is removed.

Yes.   A section of bleachers will be positioned in the upper deck in left field, right underneath the scoreboard.

Major League Baseball requires that all playing fields face east or southeast.  A primary reason for this regulation is to avoid having players look directly into the sun when they are at bat during afternoon games.

Yes, there will be more than 850 spaces in the Great American Ball Park parking garage.  There will also be plenty of additional parking alternatives along the central Riverfront.

Compared to Cinergy Field, there will be approximately 30% more restroom fixtures for men and 50% more for women.  There also will be six family toilets available to parents with young children or others needing assistance.

The Great American Ball Park will have 28 concession stands, each serving an average of 190 spectators.  Compared to Cinergy Field, this capacity represents a 60% increase in the number of concession areas and translates to less time spent standing in line and more time for watching the game.

Similar to ticketing at Cinergy Field, there will be several different price points for seats at the Great American Ball Park which will be determined by the Cincinnati Reds.  For more specific information, call the Reds at (513) 421-4510, extension 4320.

The Cincinnati Reds will work directly with season ticket holders on this issue.  Season ticket relocation will be determined by account seniority, meaning that longer standing season ticket accounts will be serviced first and newer accounts will be serviced later in the year.  For more information, call (513) 421-4510, extension 4320.