Reds unveil Baby Fan Club Quarantine Class

The Reds Rookies Baby Fan Club announced a new campaign to celebrate babies born or conceived during the COVID-19 pandemic of 2020.

The Reds Rookies Quarantine Class of 2020 was launched on Aug. 5, with fans registering online for one of 300 free memberships to kick it off.

These 300 babies are the first members of the special quarantine class within the Club, and they received tickets to future games, access to Reds Rookies members-only events, an infant hat thanks to TriHealth and more.

“The Reds Rookie Class of 2020 deserves some extra fun, given all the extenuating circumstances happening in and around their arrival,” said Reds senior vice president of business operations Karen Forgus. “We will give these babies some special attention during our regularly scheduled activities, like the play groups we host during weekday games. Parents with infants and toddlers really appreciate activities geared toward that age.”

Joining the Reds Rookies Baby Fan Club is a really great way to engage parents while they have small ones in the house by making them lifelong fans. It was certainly an idea that resonated among fans, as all 300 free memberships were claimed within 90 minutes of the program’s launch.

One of those fans was none other than Sierra Barnhart, wife of Reds catcher Tucker Barnhart. The Barnharts welcomed a baby boy, their second, in July. They were eager to be a part of this special class.

“Spending quality time with Tucker and our family has been one of the bright spots during what has been a challenging and very unpredictable year,” Sierra Barnhart said. “For the Reds to find such a fun way to celebrate the new additions to families across Reds Country further shows that the Reds organization is about more than just baseball.”

While the free memberships have been exhausted, babies can still join Reds Rookies and be a part of this historic 2020 class. As another cool perk for joining, parents get to declare their baby’s future position. Based on the results so far, nearly 20% of parents think that their baby will be a pitcher, with shortstop coming in second. The Reds have the youngest farm team already in the works.

In a typical year, Rookies members would get free tickets to games, the opportunity to participate in an on-field parade before a game and the chance to meet and take a picture with a Reds player. There were also Reds Rookies-exclusive games with pregame activities in the Fan Zone and other events scattered throughout the season.

These great benefits will resume along with the addition of other special opportunities once social distancing becomes a thing of the past. Until then, the Reds and their Baby Fan Club are making the best of the tough situation and are encouraging everyone to do the same. That includes asking fans to spread joy by posting their baby announcements on social media with the hashtag #RedsRookies.

“We want everyone to take their birth announcement and gender reveal and share it with all of Reds Country to see,” Forgus said. “Just tag your posts with #RedsRookies.”

Reds Rookies is the official baby club of the Reds for ages 0-3. For just $20, members receive a diaper bag clutch, either Tervis® sippy cup or organic cotton muslin blanket, tickets and members-only experiences, available at Reds.com/Rookies.