Reds Opening Week – Available Fun for Everyone

Late yesterday, Jamie Ramsey (Reds Media Relations, extraordinaire) released a very comprehensive  list of all the activities surrounding the opening week of Reds baseball in Cincinnati.  You can find his original piece here or continue to peruse the list for yourself down below as well.

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Opening Day field logo (Credit: Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports)

OPENING DAY – MONDAY, APRIL 1 – REDS VS. L.A. ANGELS, 4:10 PM (GATES OPEN AT 1:10 PM)
• Opening Day Block Party: The second annual Reds Community Fund Charity Block Party kicks off at 11 am on Joe Nuxhall Way and Freedom Way. Food and beverages will be available for purchase from Budweiser, Coca-Cola, LaRosa’s, Queen City Sausage, UDF and Kahn’s. Admission is free. Music provided by WEBN. All proceeds benefit the Reds Community Fund’s P&G MLB Urban Youth Academy.
• 94th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade Grand Marshal: Reds Hall of Famer George Foster will serve as the Grand Marshal of the Findlay Market parade, which begins at Noon.
• Ceremonial First Pitch: Joe Torre, manager of Team USA in the 2013 World Baseball Classic, will throw out the ceremonial first pitch.
• National Anthem: Cincinnati firefighter John Winfrey will sing the National Anthem.
• Honorary Captain: Bob Kevoian from the nationally syndicated Bob & Tom Show radio program will serve as the Honorary Captain of the Game.
• Game Ball Delivery: Fire Chief Richard A. Braun of the Cincinnati Fire Department will deliver the official Game Ball to the mound during pregame ceremonies.
• Flyover: Two T-28 Trojans and one B-25 Mitchell from the Tri-State Warbird Museum in Batavia will perform a pregame flyover.
• Wounded Hero Recognition: Senators Rob Portman (R-OH) and Sherrod Brown (D-OH) will participate in a pregame ceremony to honor wounded heroes.
• Moment of Remembrance: To honor the victims of the tragic Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting in Newtown, CT, the Reds (and all MLB teams) are wearing a symbolic ribbon patch and will observe a pregame moment of remembrance.
• American Flag: Members of the Cincinnati Fire Department will hold the giant American flag during the National Anthem. The Cincinnati Fire Department is celebrating its 160th year in 2013. The Cincinnati Fire Department was organized in 1853 and is the nation’s oldest fully paid professional fire department.
• God Bless America: Local quartet The Mistics will sing God Bless America during the seventh-inning stretch.
• Rally Towels: “This is Reds Country” rally towels will be distributed at the gates (while supplies last), courtesy of Cincinnati Bell, Horseshoe Casino, Kroger, Homemade Brand Ice Cream/UDF and P&G.

OPENING NIGHT featuring REDS PLAYERS in the FAN ZONE Pre-Game WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3 –
REDS VS. L.A. ANGELS, 7:10 PM (GATES OPEN AT 5:10 PM)
• Reds in the Fan Zone: Reds players and coaches to appear in the Kroger Fan Zone to walk the red carpet starting at 5:30 pm.
• National Anthem: Arin Ray, top 10 finalist on the X Factor and School for Creative & Performing Arts senior, will sing the National Anthem.
• 2013 Reds Calendar: The first 20,000 fans will receive a 2013 Team Calendar, presented by Kroger.
• Silver Slugger: 2012 NL Louisville Slugger Silver Slugger winner Jay Bruce will receive his award during pregame ceremonies.
• Ball Delivery: Miss Ohio Kristin Smith and Miss Teen Ohio Brittany Reid will deliver the official Game Ball to the mound during pregame ceremonies.
• Rusty Griswolds: 80’s cover band The Rusty Griswolds will perform from a stage at the new Budweiser Bowtie Bar located on the right field porch during inning breaks and after the game.
• Postgame Fireworks presented by TriHealth: The Rusty Griswolds will play live during the post-game fireworks show featuring Rozzi’s Famous Fireworks.

Thursday, April 4 – Reds vs. L.A. Angels, 12:35 pm (Gates open at 11:05 am)
• 20,000th Reds Game: Today marks the 20,000th game in Reds history, dating back to the first game played in 1882 by the Cincinnati Red Stockings of the American Association. The Reds are the fourth MLB franchise to hit the 20,000 game mark.
• Business Day Ticket Offer: Come down to Great American Ball Park for the Business Day Special. For only $15 fans get a game ticket and $10 in concession credits. Visit reds.com/skipwork to purchase.

Friday, April 5 – Reds vs. Washington Nationals, 7:10 pm (Gates open at 5:40 pm)
• Fireworks Friday: Post-game Rozzi’s fireworks show will start approximately 15 minutes after the end of the game, presented by Klosterman Baking Co.

Saturday, April 6 – REDS COLLEGIATE INVITATIONAL UC vs. LOUISVILLE
to play after Reds vs. Washington Nationals, 1:10 pm (Gates open at 11:40 am)
• Reds Collegiate Invitational: Fans can stay after today’s game to watch the University of Cincinnati and University of Louisville baseball teams square off in the inaugural Reds Collegiate Invitational. The UC vs. UofL matchup will begin 30 minutes after the Reds vs. Nationals game, marking the first NCAA game played at Great American Ball Park.
• Reds Fleece Blanket: The first 20,000 fans receive a Reds Fleece Blanket, presented by Duke Energy Retail.
• Book signing at the Reds HOF: Local author and FOX Sports Ohio statistician Joel Luckhaupt will sign copies of his new book Things Reds Fans Should Know & Do Before They Die from 11 a.m. to Noon at the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum. Copies of the book are available for sale at the Reds Hall of Fame Gift Shop. The signing is free with admission to the museum.

Sunday, April 7 – Reds vs. Washington Nationals, 1:10 pm (Gates open at 11:40 am)
• Reds Magnetic Schedule: The first 20,000 fans receive a 2013 Magnetic Schedule/Car Magnet featuring Reds pitcher Johnny Cueto, presented by PNC Bank.
• First Pitch: Mrs. Karen Kasich, wife of governor John Kasich and Ohio’s First Lady, will throw out a ceremonial first pitch.
• Reach Magazine Family Day: Sundays are family days at the ballpark! One member of the family pays full price and may purchase up to three non-premium tickets at half-price in advance of game day only. Excludes Outer View Level and Kroger Bleachers.
• Run the Bases Day: Fans of all ages can line up after the game to run the bases.

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