MINOR LEAGUE

Great American
Ball Park
Cincinnati, OH

With its opening on March 31, 2003, Great American Ball Park became the second ballpark to be built on the banks of the Ohio River in Cincinnati. In the 1990s the Reds and the Bengals (NFL) began to want separate modern stadiums after sharing Riverfront Stadium for nearly three decades. The idea for a new ballpark for the Reds was first raised in August 1993 when officials stated that a new ballpark would help the team compete with other teams in baseball. By 1996 Hamilton County voters approved a bond to increase the sales tax to fund new stadiums for the Reds and Bengals. Two locations were proposed for the Reds new ballpark, Broadway Commons and along the riverfront, in an area between Riverfront Stadium and US Bank Arena, known as the 'wedge.'

For over a year officials debated which location would be best for a ballpark, most preferring the riverfront. Reds officials were concerned about the cost of land at Broadway Commons as it was not a problem at the riverfront county owned land. In November 1998, citizens ended the question of where the ballpark would be built, voting to have it constructed along the riverfront. However, this did not end the stadium debate in Cincinnati. Owner of the Reds, Marge Schott, threatened to move the team to Northern Kentucky if the team did not receive a better lease agreement than the Bengals. Reds and city officials came to a lease agreement and groundbreaking for the ballpark took place on October 4, 2000. In order for construction to begin, 14,000 seats had to be removed from the outfield of the Reds' former home, Riverfront Stadium. For two years, Reds fans were able to watch the new ballpark rise beyond the outfield of Riverfront Stadium. Great American Insurance bought the naming rights to the ballpark for $75 million over 30 years; thus the stadium was named Great American Ball Park.

The Cincinnati Reds christened their second ballpark on the riverfront on March 31, 2003. Great American Ball Park is a combination of new and old ballparks and provides an excellent setting for baseball. Walking along the outside perimeter of the ballpark down Second Street, fans are greeted by a three story building of brick and cast limestone, with the phrase “Rounding third and heading for home,” the signature sign-off of broadcaster Joe Nuxhall, atop the building. Banners of great moments in Reds' history also line this area. At the intersection of Second and Main streets is an opening to Crosley Terrace, a point most fans pass through before entering the ballpark. The terrace is about an acre of concrete, landscaped with grass and trees. Statues of Crosley Field-era players (Joe Nuxhall, Ernie Lombardi, Ted Kluszewski and Frank Robinson) dot the landscape, along with a pitcher's mound built to Major League Baseball dimensions of the day. Grass in the terrace is sloped at the same incline as Crosley Field's outfield. Special lighting illuminates the statues, stone benches and a 60-foot stone sculpture meant to depict the romance of the game are also in the Crosley Terrace. Located adjacent and connecting to Great American Ball Park along Main Street is the Reds Hall of Fame Museum and team store. A rose garden, remembering Pete Rose, is located near the museum where his record breaking hit 4,192 was at Riverfront Stadium.

Upon entering the ballpark, fans have sweeping views of the ballpark. Great American Ballpark has approximately 42,271 red seats in three levels. The lower grandstand extends from the left field foul pole to homeplate and around to the right field foul pole. The second deck consists of club seats, luxury suites, and the press box. Stretching from foul pole to foul pole, the upper deck is broken into two sections. The gap is an opening in the seating sections located between homeplate and third base. This enables people in downtown Cincinnati to see into the ballpark. The gap allows the upper deck to be closer to the field than most in baseball. Doubled decked bleachers are located in left field and additional seating is located beyond the right field fence. With little foul territory at Great American Ballpark fans receive excellent views of the game.

New in 2009 is the 138 feet wide, 38 feet high LED high definition video/scoreboards that is located above the stands in left field, blocking the view of US Bank Arena. A clock atop the main scoreboard in left field is a replica of the Longines analog clock that was at Crosley Field. An out of town scoreboard keeping fans updated about other games in progress is incorporated as part of the left field wall. The bullpens are located beyond the outfield, the Reds in left centerfield and the visiting team's bullpen behind the outfield wall near the right field foul pole. A brewpub, known as the Machine Room is located near the Reds bullpen and gives fans a place to relax and catch the ballgame with their friends. The bar features tons of memorabilia from the Big Red Machine era. Other club and dining options include the Fox Sports Ohio Championships Club, the Riverfront Club and Diamond Club. Located between the batters eye and the stands in right field is a 64 feet high and 36 feet wide homerun feature. The feature, consisting of two large smokestacks, a paddle wheel and a large misting system makes noise, shoots fireworks, creates mist and is a general source of entertainment. After the 2006 season, the Reds constructed a two story Riverboat Deck on top of the existing batter's eye and that is used as a party area. The 7,500-foot square foot rooftop deck holds about 150 fans. Although the Reds have yet to make a post-season appearance at Great American Ball Park, fans continue to come out to support their hometown team with hopes that the Reds will return to their former glory.

GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK MERCHANDISE

Great American Ball Park Ticket Frame
16"x20" Framed

Reds Infield Dirt Drink Coasters - (Set of 4)
Reds 8x10 Game Used Dirt Plaque

Great American Ball Park Silver Plate Coin Card
4"x6" Limited to 5,000

2010 Opening Day Great American Ball Park Poster with Signatures
12"x20" Limited to 2,010

Reds Ballpark Poster
Sizes Vary, Framed or Unframed

Great American
Ball Park Poster
Sizes Vary, Framed or Unframed

Great American Ball Park and Infield Dirt Coin
Limited to 5,000

 Cincinnati Reds First Pitch at Great American Ball Park
13.5" x 39" Framed

Buy Ballparks of Baseball's Great American Ball Park Photos
Sizes Vary

GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK FACTS AND FIGURES

2010 REDS SCHEDULE

GREAT AMERICAN BALL PARK PICTURES

UPCOMING
GAMES