Preview 2003: With Opening Day less than
three months away, phase one of construction at Great American Ball Park is
close to completion. By March 22, the complex will be ready to open its
gates to eager Reds fans. The following are some dates of interest for fans
in 2003:
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 | March 22-23 – Hamilton County and the Cincinnati Reds will host an
Open House weekend, free to the general public. Fans will have access to a
variety of areas within the new park, including the Reds locker room,
seating bowl, bullpen, overlooks, concourses, the sun/moon deck and the
bleachers. Tour guides will be on hand to provide direction, point out the
great features and answer any questions.
|
 | March 28-29 – The Cincinnati Reds will play the Cleveland Indians in
the last exhibition game of the season and the first ever game at Great
American Ball Park. The previous Play By Play originally listed these
games as March 29-30.
|
 | March 31 – On Opening Day, the Cincinnati Reds will take the field in
the inaugural regular season game at Great American Ball Park. The Reds
will kick off the season against the Pittsburgh Pirates. First pitch is
scheduled for 4:10 p.m. The previous Play By Play originally listed the
starting time as 2:15.
|
 | April 2 – Fans will have their first opportunity to see the Reds in
action under the lights and view the game from the moon deck, as the team
hosts the first night game at Great American Ball Park.
|
 | On Deck for 2004 – Last season, fans attending Reds games at Cinergy
Field had front row seats to witness the construction of the new ball
park. Fans in 2003 will have the same opportunity to see the construction
of the Reds Hall of Fame, targeted for completion in the summer of 2004.
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Construction News: Workers continue to
make notable progress on all areas of
Great American Ball Park. Following are some highlights:
|
 | Workers are now installing the Spirit of Baseball bas-relief. The
limestone bas-relief will be showcased on the east wall of the Reds
Administration Building. The sculpture will greet fans entering the ball
park and serve as a landmark for downtown motorists and pedestrians.
|
 | Crews are painting the interior portions of the dugouts and bullpens.
These portions will match the same shade of green designed for the padded
outfield walls.
|
 | Workers are installing way-finding signage in the ball park
concourses.
|
 | The Machine Room is beginning to take shape. Workers are concentrating
their efforts on the interior portions of the brewpub. They have begun
installing brick and steel finishes and a mini-scoreboard for the bar
area. |
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For more information
on next week’s ball park
activity, contact: |
Barnard Baker
Dan Pinger Public Relations, Inc.
(513) 564-0700 |