Submitted By:
White
Sox Fan Grade:
A
Pros of the ballpark:
Great
Park. Awesome interior and exterior. The Park is completely modern,
yet at the same time remains true to the Reds Past. The Reds fans
were friendly, but at the same time not afraid to shove their team
pride in an opposing fans face, which is a good thing (I pity a fan
who won't stick up for their own team in their own Park.)
Cons of the ballpark:
Ummm...
As a White Sox fan I have to say their pregame intro was pretty
dual. Not a major complaint and it may have changed since I was
there. The food was..... they had other good stuff, but were the hot
dogs made of tofu? It sure seemed like it.
Additional Comments:
Reds
fans. You have Marty Brennaman. The guy who flat out told it like it
is about the Cubs. Don't take that for granted.
Submitted By:
J.
Smith Grade:
A
Pros of the ballpark:
For a
city with the most baseball history than any other, this stadium
certainly fulfills its purpose. This season is the 9th or 10th that
it has been opened and every year you can feel the electricity. The
seats are great from all over the ball park. The toothbrush style
lighting (a Cincinnati first @ Crosley) and the Sun/Moon deck take
fans back in time, while the kentucky blue grass shines in the
outfield. The concourse are wide and spacious and filled with
history, making them fell as a museum themselves.
Cons of the ballpark:
Many
critique the designers inability to choose between new age and old
school. However, I feel they tried to incorporate too much history
through too many distinct eras. I guess that's the problem when you
have just about 150 years of history. Another con is the lack of
premium seating, they is plenty of low cost seating ranging from the
out field to view box seating, but little luxury seating. Overall
its hard to complain about a stadium built for a club who could not
obtain a .500 record for the first 7/8 years of its opening (hard to
whine about the cheap looks of a park built on a small budget).
Additional Comments:
Overall it fits the Queen city perfect. Almost as a living testament
of what is happening to the city. Trying to connect its roots to its
future. GABP is unique and far too many people will mistake the
uniqueness as a failed decision between past and present. Besides
look at the new Marlins park, now tell me how GABP is ugly!
Submitted By: Will G. Grade:
C
Pros of the ballpark: At first, I thought the red seats were
excessive, but it gives a definitive look to the park (a plus, which
I will address later). I'm guessing the seats may become a bit
overbearingly hot during those steamy Cincy summers, but still a
nice touch. The overall atmosphere is relaxing and conducive to a
smaller city, with great views of the river and passing steamboats
from the left field upper deck. The Sun/Moon Deck is a nice
throwback to Crosley Field and the smoke stacks and smokestack-like
light structures are a nice local touch. Seats are appreciatively
affordable; back in '04, I was able to get lower bowl seats for half
the price of many ballparks I've visited. Though the Reds Hall of
Fame was not complete when I visited, it looked to be a promising
tribute to the rich Reds heritage; I also like how it and the main
gift shop were located outside the stadium. Along the River, there
is a neat little puzzle involving a steam boat wheel that I could
just never figure out, despite numerous tries (apparently, if you
get the puzzle right, cool mist is supposed to be emitted from
nearby stacks, which would have been welcome a hot September
afternoon!) GABP is located close enough to downtown Cincy that it
is walking distance from any hotel.
Cons of the ballpark: GABP lacks any
distinctness outside of the red seats and "the notch" in the upper
deck seating behind home plate that opens up slightly to downtown
Cincy. The park feels like a low-grade blend of several older new
parks, most notably, Jacobs Field in Cleveland. While the view of
the river and into Kentucky is nice enough, you have to be in the
upper deck to see it, which was a let down. I was particularly
disappointed in the exterior architecture, especially the main
entrance which is hardly awe-inspiring. I will allow that it blends
in well with the low-key Cincy approach, but it just is bland no
matter how you look at it and it seems like a suburban location even
though it's adjacent to downtown Cincy. In short, it's a nice place
to watch a game, but it lacks life and its own personality.
Additional Comments: Great American Ball Park is a place I
will visit again, hoping the nearby area will have had time to
undergo construction so that it's not the dirt pit I found it to be
when I visited several years ago. However, like Miller Park in
Milwaukee, it fails to really take advantage of its small, working
class location and produce an intimate, almost minor league
atmosphere that foregoes several levels of seating that rarely are
used and big city amenities (large scoreboard, sky boxes). The
result is a park that tries to copy the classics (The Jake, Camden
Yards), fails to do so and worse, becomes mundane and unmemorable in
the process.
Submitted By: Matt Grade:
B
Pros of the ballpark:
A
great ballpark to watch a game and enjoy the view. This ballpark
dose a great job bringing the historical Cincinnati smoke stacks
into the ballpark. The smoke stacks are a treat to see when a
homerun is hit or a strikeout is made and even better if the REDS
WIN !! Also under the smoke stacks they have a mist zone for those
hot days. So you can get out of the heat but still watch the game
Cons of the ballpark:
The
smoke stacks block your view of left field if your sitting up top in
center field. Also this ballpark doesn't have a great team shop at
all... You have a better selection of reds items at a local BIGGS!
Additional Comments:
If
the team on the field can get a winning record and get
into the playoffs this will be electric place to see a ballgame.
Submitted By: J. Turano Grade:
C
Pros of the ballpark:
In a
very nice area of the city, right next to the football stadium.
Decent view no matter where you sit. Right next to Reds Hall of
Fame, which is one of the neatest exhibits I have seen. The home run
smokestack is a cool amenity.
Cons of the ballpark:
The
park itself left me flat. It is just simply missing something. There
was nothing special about it. From the food, to the decor, its just
sort of there. They missed the mark by not showcasing the river,
which is just beyond right field.
Additional Comments:
All
in all, a good place to go once, just to see it, but that's about
it. I wasn't necessarily disappointed, but I definitely wasn't
impressed.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Submitted By: Kevin
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!
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.
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.
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!!
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.
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.
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.
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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