March 28, 2003

Play-By-Play

 

PLAY BALL!!! - The Cincinnati Reds will play their 135th Opening Day and the first official game at Great American Ball Park on Monday, March 31. The first pitch is scheduled for 4:10 p.m. Gates will open two hours prior to game time.
 
Looking Ahead - Now that Phase One of the Great American Ball Park project is complete, fans can look forward to Phase Two. Following are some projects on the horizon:
 
bulletCrosley Era Statues: The statues of four Crosley era greats are being erected throughout the season. Statues of Ted Kluszewski, Joe Nuxhall, Ernie Lombardi and Frank Robinson will eventually depict a simulated game with Nuxhall pitching, Lombardi catching, Robinson hitting and Kluszewski on deck.
 
bulletHall of Fame: Upon the completion of the ballpark parking facility and the terrace level, crews will then have a foundation to begin work on the Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame and Gift Shop. With the rich tradition of the baseball club and the dedicated fan base, the Reds anticipate that the Hall of Fame will be an exciting attraction for baseball fans and pundits young and old. The Hall of Fame is scheduled to open in fall 2004.
 
bulletRose Garden: A marker will be assembled on the very spot where hit number 4192 landed. On September 11, 1985 Pete Rose eclipsed the all-time hit record previously held by the legendary Ty Cobb. To mark the historic feat, a Rose Garden will be erected along the southern portion of the Hall of Fame.
 
Open House Recap - On March 22 and 23, Hamilton County and the Reds officially opened the gates to Great American Ball Park for the first time. The dedication ceremony encapsulated a weekend full of pride and excitement. The Hamilton County Board of Commissioners, Congressman Robert Portman, Governor Robert Taft and Reds Owner Carl Lindner saluted the project team, the trade contractors and the Hamilton County taxpayers.

It is estimated that more than 212,000 fans attended the Open House weekend. The number nearly doubles projected attendance. The lines remained full all weekend with a steady flow of people passing through the Reds clubhouse and training facilities late on Sunday. Fans in attendance received a commemorative Great American Ball Park poster, guidebook and free United Dairy Farmers ice cream.
 
  For more information
on next week’s ball park
activity, contact: 		Barnard Baker
Dan Pinger Public Relations, Inc.
(513) 564-0700

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