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Great American Ballpark opened in 2003. The Reds lost their first game
in the stadium 10-1 to the Pirates. The Reds' starting pitcher that day...Jimmy Haynes. A name to remember. This ticket is
from Opening Day 2006, which the Reds also lost 16-7.
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Great American Ballpark looks better architecturally around the infield.
The outfield sections are somewhat disjointed. The "notch," the split in the upper decks near home plate, is billed as one
of the park's unique features, offering fans a standing-room overlook.
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Beyond the outfield stands is the Ohio River. Only one ball has ever
landed in the river, but the Pepsi Power Stacks, the world's ugliest celbration machine, reminds fans that they're in one
of the great river cities.
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The view toward left field from the right field "moon deck," roughly
based on a feature of Crosley Field. The scoreboard in left is one of the most complete in the game, and the out of town scoreboard
is on the left field wall.
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The left field bleachers and a front view of the scoreboard. The Mountain
Dew clock atop the scoreboard is reminiscent of a feature from old Crosley Field.
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The upper deck is one of baseball's highest. Notice the split in the
upper level at the notch. The concourse splitting the upper deck down the third base line has views of the field.
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The view down the first base line. In the light you might be able to
see part of Sycamore Street in downtown Cincinnati through the notch.
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After strikeouts, the Reds blow smoke out of the Power Stacks. After
home runs fireworks shoot out of the stacks. The pinnacles are made of 7 baseball bats each, adding to 14...a tribute to Cincinnati's
most overrated star? Maybe.
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The first row in any ballpark offers good views. In Cincinnati first
deck seats often catch a nasty late afternoon sun. These seats, on the third base side, require a neck jerk of about 120 degrees
to see the scoreboard and occasionally yield a better view of the third base coach's backside than of the batter.
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Here are the Pepsi Power Stacks in all their glory. Amazing that they'd
be this park's most prominent feature. At night they light up like a carnival ride, and on hot days they spray mist under
them for hot fans to bask in. Below the stacks is a small grassy hill reminiscent of the one at old Crosley Field. This one,
though, is not in play.
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Along the warning track in the right field corner one can see ads, the
Power Stacks, and the structure popularly known just as the "black box." It is a building containing a party room and camera
wells that provides the hitter's backdrop and seems remarkably out of place. Starting in 2006 the Reds installed a social
standing area atop the structure.
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