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Ballpark Visited: Great American Ball Park
Submitted By: A.Lopez Jr Grade:
B
Pros of the ballpark: Good views from every seat except for one area
(see cons). Reds history is not forgotten here, its on the walls and
the great Reds players have food concession stands named after them.
I love the Home Run
smoke stack which also smokes for strike-outs, it gives Cincy its
own identity. The light towers have a unique shape to them also. I
like the old Longines looking clock on the scoreboard also. Third
base side of the concourses was huge unlike the first base side
which is odd. Food stands are everywhere and ushers are very
helpful.
Cons of the ballpark: Obstructed view seats behind the Pepsi home run
smoke stack in center field. The scoreboard graphics are not too
great at all. First base side of the concourses was cramped. Needs
more sound effects and more scoreboard games for the fans. Souvenir
shops are the worst I have seen at any park, I mean they got some
Reds hats, balls, and a few Reds players jerseys and thats it. No
games either for the fans like a batting cage or speed pitch. Lastly
they have plenty of places to get food but the
lines seemed to move slowly.
Additional Comments: Seems like something is missing and I cant put my
finger on it. I couldn't tell if they wanted to go modern, retro, or
old school with this park. If it weren't for the home run smoke
stack it would really not be great at all, but that stack robs
people in the center field
stands of views toward left field. Its better to look at than
Cinergy Field and I'll rank it again in another year when all the
construction is done on the old Cinergy Field site. I'd recommend
sitting in the upper deck behind home cause it looks nicer from up
there cause you see the river and other things. Sorry this park is
not better than PNC Park, Camden Yards, Comerica Park, or Jacobs
Field, at least not in 2003.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: William Folmer Grade:
A
Pros of the ballpark: I love this park. After sitting in
numerous different seats thru the few seasons it has existed and
walking around the park many times I have discovered there is not a
bad seat in the place. My favorite seats have to be the FSN Club.
In the club you can be waited on hand and foot and still have a
great baseball experience. This park gives you a great view of the
game and the city and is a wonderful add for the city of Cincinnati.
Cons of the ballpark: I was disappointed in the Reds not
building a larger park. When, not if, the Reds return to glory
hopefully there is enough standing room only space. There is a huge
group of Red's fans that would definitely come out and watch the
team if they were playing better. This did however appear to be the
case. The large concourses do seem to be plenty large enough, but it
would still be good if they had more seats available. I am also
disappointed that I haven't heard of plans to have an All-Star game
here, very disappointing.
Additional Comments: I am very impressed on how the parking
is laid out. After a ballgame the parking clears very fast. This is
a great job of thinking by the urban planner responsible for
designing the new riverfront.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: Jeff Nix Grade:
B
Pros of the ballpark: Great view of river, city, and past
history. This stadium is still growing with the addition of hall of
fame which will include a gift shop (someone else pointed this out
as a con, but will be fixed with the completion of the new building
which is located by homeplate entrance).
Cons of the ballpark: I do agree with the statement that
there is something missing from this stadium, and I too can't put a
finger on it. The best guess I have is it seems the crowd just
wasn't into the game? The lights in the stadium are a copy of
Jacobs Field, so they lose again in the battle of Ohio.
Additional Comments: I got my ticket for free, as someone was
giving a bunch away right by the home plate entrance. They were
upperdeck seats behind homeplate, which allowed nice view of river.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: Roger Weber Grade:
A
Pros of the ballpark: Great American Ballpark is not the
typical new park. Many architects don't like it because it doesn't
flow beautifully structurally. However I like that aspect of it.
Each portion of seats is different, and there really are no bad
seats. There are interesting aspects such as the notch, a break in
the seats down the third base side so people in the park can see
downtown. The scoreboard is good and informative, and the river view
is nice. I also, unlike many others, like the celebration machine
modeled after a steamboat. There is a wide variety of food, and two
restaurants in it.
Cons of the ballpark: The first deck is simply too big and
too gradually sloped. There are 40+ rows and if somebody tall sits
in front of you, you can't see. The scoreboard, although good, is
tucked in the corner so that the left field foul pole sometimes
obstructs the view. The concourse gets very crowded in the lower
deck, but hopefully when the ballpark is totally finished, that will
be improved.
Additional Comments: Overall, it is a nice ballpark to visit,
and a nice change of pace from all the green seats. (It has red
seats). If you can, sit in the upper deck. There is more space and
the river view is great.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: Marc Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Cincinnati is the oldest major league
baseball city and their new ballpark won't let you forget it. There
is the (under construction) statutes of famous Reds. The huge
dedication memorial outside the ticket windows. The mosaics inside
the front gates with the 1869 Reds facing the Big Red Machine. The
souvenir stands are named after the Reds former parks. Oh yeah, and
there isn't a bad seat in the house - you feel right on top of the
action, even halfway up the upper deck.
Cons of the ballpark: Getting to the upper deck takes awhile
and parking is kind of a mess - its a looooong walk past the Cinergy
crater. Also, the smokestacks in right center are cute and I
understand the significance, but honestly it kills the view of the
river.
Additional Comments: Finally a corporate name I can agree
with. I must also comment that this is the only park where the
vendors ask every time how much ice you want in your pop. Also,
stand in "the notch" on the third base side - its a great view of
the game and downtown Cincy.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: K evin
Gabbard Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark:
The sight lines
were incredible. The bowl of the stadium gave the feel of being in
the front row irrespective of seat. The historic elements, statue of
"big klu" and big red machine mosaic, left chills for this avid reds
fan.
Cons of the ballpark:
The upper levels
were not as intimate of an experience as lower levels. Obviously,
that is a universal feeling at
all stadium but more pronounced at the GAB. Finally, NO ORGAN MUSIC.
NO ORGAN MUSIC.
Additional Comments: Has
anyone heard of a ballpark w/o ORGAN MUSIC!
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: Steve Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: I
like the intimacy of the ballpark and the Red seats. I really like
the sun/moon deck, and I LOVE the riverboat stacks in the outfield.
I also like the bleacher section in left. The main scoreboard is top
notch. Speaking of notch.....nice touch. Great video presentation to
welcome visitors and great video during home team lineups. I love
the views from the $5 seats. Nice touch on Crosley Plaza, with the
statues and banners.
Cons of the ballpark: Cincinnati, the home of professional
baseball, really had an opportunity to do something special here,
but fell well short. Cost overruns from Paul Brown Stadium cut into
the project, so they had to use "value engineering" which translated
means "more concrete."
I can't believe the front entrance actually looks like Riverfront.
WHY???There is way too little brick and way too much concrete!
Jacobs Field pulls off the white steel look nicely, but not this
place. No elegance whatsoever outside. Inside, there is way too much
concrete on the facades. The batter's eye in CF is absolutely
atrocious! It is so out of place. Please shoot the organ player if
he plays during player introductions again. He covers up the rock
and roll music. The Reds ought to invest in Black paint, and turn
all the white steel into black steel.
Additional Comments: None.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: Todd Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: The place has a really fun atmosphere.
It reminds me of an overgrown minor league park and I think that is
a good thing. It is very focused on being fan friendly. There are
lots of places to stroll around and have a beer or stand and watch
the game or take in the views of the city and the river. It is a
vast improvement over Cinergy/Riverfront. Very intimate seating and
great sight lines.
Cons of the ballpark: The park isn't completely finished yet
so it is hard to say, but the positioning of the scoreboards is
odd---if you sit in left field there really isn't a good scoreboard
for you to look at. Also, the fun of the park is kind of deflated by
the fact that the ownership doesn't seem committed to winning
baseball.
Additional Comments: None.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: Mike McDow Grade:
B
Pros of the ballpark: Wide concourses! Good eats at pretty
decent prices. Good location on the Ohio river...wish we could see
one of the older bridges with more history and character rather than
the one in view of the bridge just past left center field. I do love
the Sun/Moon Deck in right field! It's definitely retro as it tried
to duplicate the one at old Crosley Field. The green field looks
awesome against the all red seats...nice touch!
Cons of the ballpark: I wonder if a view of the beautiful
Cincy skyline would have been better than the view of other side of
the river in which you just see the green rolling hills of northern
Kentucky. Another critic stated they were sure what was trying to
be accomplished with this park whether it is retro, modern or
whatever...well, I wonder too. Many subtle things though remind me
of Riverfront...a place real Reds fans loved even though it was a
cookie-cutter all-purpose cement bowl. I wish though GABP had some
more color/brick/stone rather than the bland white everywhere...then
again, it is Ohio and you know what Jacobs Field looks like. Should
be more ornamental Reds history displayed other than just around the
home plate entrance.
Additional Comments: An enjoyable place to watch a ballgame!
Great fans!!
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: PJ Grade: A
Pros of the ballpark: Although a bit plain on the outside, it
is absolutely gorgeous once you get inside. Every seat is red-very
cool, and different than the other new parks (green or dark blue
seems to be the norm). Spacious concourses and loads of food and
beverage choices (bratwurst sandwich was outstanding!). Great view
of the river and northern Kentucky. Parking wasn't too bad, parked
about three blocks away, only cost $7.
Cons of the ballpark: As I said it's gorgeous on the inside,
but a bit plain on the outside (although the Crosley Terrace is very
nice). Directly west of the ballpark is still a major construction
zone, so when that's completed it'll look much nicer. Also as much
as I loved those bratwurst I don't think I could afford to eat them
everyday!(2 brats + large Pepsi was $13) But I suppose food is
expensive everywhere.
Additional Comments: The park isn't perfect, but it's
advantages far outweigh it's faults. The Reds have a home they can
be proud of for years.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: Marc Grade: B
Pros of the ballpark: I liked the Sun/Moon Roof bleacher
seats in right field. It was the closest I think I have been in a
Major League park. The view of the Ohio River is great either in the
upper deck seating behind home plate or walking along the back of
the stadium.
Cons of the ballpark: The upper deck seating seemed somewhat
very far from the field of play compared to newer parks in
Pittsburgh and Houston. Reminded me of Riverfront Stadium seating. I
also wish there was a little bit more flare in the interior of the
stadium, perhaps bringing back the outfield steep from Crosley Field
would have been a great touch.
Additional Comments: After fans having spent the last 32
years at Riverfront, this is a truly great place to watch and
experience a baseball game in Cincinnati. The area will only look
better once construction west of the stadium is completed for the
2004 season.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: Matt A. Grade:
A.
Pros of the ballpark: The seats, being red not green like
many of the new ballparks that have opened and are really close to
the field. The concourses are huge, filled with Reds history and
pictures. Excellent views from nearly anywhere in the ballpark.
Cons of the ballpark: None.
Additional Comments: This ballpark is one that is sure to
become one of the best in baseball. It has amenities that would suit
anyone. The setting right in downtown Cincinnati, makes it a great
place to visit.
Ballpark Visited:
Great American Ball Park Submitted By: Jason Gibson Grade:
A.
Pros of the ballpark: The stadium was obviously built with
the fans in mind. Everywhere you look there is a nod to reds
history, right down to the concession stands that are named things
like :Pete's Pizza" or Davey's Dogs." all the seats are aimed toward
the infield which makes viewing the game a lot more comfortable. I
sat in the upper deck and still felt like I was right on top of the
game. I also enjoyed the playing of play by play over loudspeakers
outside the stadium.
Cons of the ballpark: The only cons would have to be the
exterior of the park which is a little dull compared to other parks
( There is still construction left to do, so this might change(, and
the retired jersey numbers of displayed in the park need to be
bigger and in a better location.
Additional Comments: None.
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