Reds 5 at 5: UYA, Selecting Your Seat, More

The most exciting news other than the Reds winning the World Series was running all over the interwebs last night was that Cincinnati will play host to the 2015 All-Star Game. Believe it or not, there is other good news attached to Bud Selig being in town. I’m serious here.

1. Cincinnati’s Urban Youth Academy upgrade

This is another part of the commish’s visit to Cincy. Actually, this was to be the reason for Bud’s visit until the news about the 2015 ASG got out.

Selig, along with Reds CEO Bob Catellini, will announce that Cincinnati will be the benefactors of “a significant contribution” to develop Cincinnati’s Urban Youth Academy, the first in the midwest. The development will be in two phases.

According to Mark Sheldon, the first phase will commence construction this summer and create four ball fields, an observation tower along with restrooms and concessions. with an eye on the spring of 2014 as an opening. At that same proposed time, the second phase will start and consist of an indoor facility for training year-round. The anticipated completion date for the second phase is spring of 2015.

The UYA is operated as part of the Reds Community Fund. The UYA currently operates at Gamble Montessori School in Winton Terrace. For more details on the UYA, all you need to do is click here.

Sep 3, 2012; Cincinnati, OH, USA; Cincinnati Reds mascot Rosie Red with Mr Red Legs prior to the game against the Philadelphia Phillies at Great American Ball Park. (Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports)

2. Select-A-Seat event this Saturday

This weekend the Reds Caravan begins its trek throughout Reds Country the day after tomorrow. That’s Thursday, January 24th if you’re not reading this on the 22nd. As part of the stop at GABP, the Select-A-Seat will take place.

Starting at 9:30 AM on Saturday, Reds fans will have the opportunity to actual select which seats they would like for the 2013 season. For full details, head to reds.com.

And who will great you at GABP Caravan stop? Todd Frazier and Billy Hamilton along with others. There will be a Q&A in the FOX Sports Ohio Champions Club.

Even Rosie Red will be there.

3. Will Rolen ever make up his mind?

Other than the ASG and UYA news, this might be the biggest news surrounding the Reds. Yes, more than the signing of Armando Galarraga. This time, ESPN’s Jayson Stark…

Are Reds fans being trolled here? Not sure, but I do know this. It’s no secret that Scott Rolen would prefer to play in Cincinnati. It’s close to home.

Yesterday, Tyler had this to offer (and other things concerning Rolen) in his Reds 3 Dot Cafe:

"BTW: Wasn’t the signing of Jack Hannahan the official goodbye to Rolen now that Frazier’s back-up is spoken for?"

You would think so. I’ve stated something along these lines…as painful as it is to write.

4. Wrigley renovations

(H/T to Maury Brown from Biz of Baseball)

I know there are some Reds fans that live in the Chicago area. I know there are Reds fans that love to journey to Wrigley Field and soak in all that it has to offer. Well, if you’re starting to become less enamored with the park’s current condition, you’ll be happy to know that Wrigley is getting a bit of a facelift.

Head over to Biz of Baseball and catch a glimpse of some images of how Wrigley could look upon completion. Brown also provides some detail of these renovations, too, so I encourage you to read the linked article.

Personally, I’ve never been to Wrigley. It’s on my bucket list and every other MLB stadium.

5. A Reds fan in Afghanistan

Redleg Nation has a new writer. His name is John Ring. He’s also currently stationed in Afghanistan. All I can say is read this. You honestly won’t regret it.