2019 Cincinnati Reds Opening Week Highlights

Thursday, March 28 – Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates – 2019 Opening Day

11 a.m. to 4 p.m. – Reds Community Fund Charity Block Party

• Free pregame Opening Day Block Party on Joe Nuxhall Way, Freedom Way and Walnut Street. All proceeds benefit the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy. For a map of the block party and more information, please visit reds.com/BlockParty.

Noon – 100th Findlay Market Opening Day Parade

• Grand Marshal: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred will serve as Grand Marshal along with Hall of Famer Johnny Bench will serve as Parade Ambassador.
• Reds in the Parade: Reds pitchers Sonny Gray and Anthony DeSclafani will ride in the parade along with a Reds 150th anniversary float, the new Reds Mobile Clubhouse, REDzilla and the Reds mascots.

2:10 p.m. – Gates open to Great American Ball Park

• Reds Magnet: All fans will receive a 2019 Reds magnetic schedule/car magnet commemorating the 150th anniversary of professional baseball, presented by PNC Bank.

3:30 p.m. – Pregame Ceremonies Begin

• Military Appreciation: Nine representatives of the crew of the USS Cincinnati will be honored during pregame ceremonies. The USS Cincinnati (LCS-20) is an Independence-class littoral combat ship of the United States Navy. She is the fifth ship to be named after the Queen City and has been assigned to Littoral Combat Ship Squadron One and will be based in San Diego, California.
• Rosie Reds: Valerie Guthrie, President of the Rosie Reds organization, will make the traditional presentation of Opening Day plaques to Reds manager David Bell and Pirates manager Clint Hurdle.
• Player Introductions: Rosters of both teams will be announced and players will line the first and third base paths for introductions.
• In Memoriam: A Moment of Remembrance prior to the Anthem to honor the lives of former Reds players, coaches and staff who have passed away since last year’s Opening Day, including a special tribute to Hall of Famer Frank Robinson.
• Honor Guard: Members of the U.S. Marines Corps, Navy, Coast Guard, Army & Air Force will present colors in our traditional “Parade of Colors.”
• National Anthem: Vocal quartet The Mistics will perform the National Anthem.
• Flyover: The pregame flyover will be performed by two F-16 Fighting Falcons of the 112th Fighter Squadron “Stingers” from the 180th Fighter Wing Ohio Air National Guard Base in Toledo, Ohio.
• American Flag: A giant 300’ by 150’ American flag will be unfurled during the singing of our National Anthem by members of the Cincinnati Firefighters Union Local 48.
• Ceremonial First Pitch & Catch: Reds Hall of Famer Eric Davis will throw out the ceremonial first pitch to Hall of Famer Johnny Bench.
• Commissioner of Baseball: MLB Commissioner Rob Manfred, who is serving as Grand Marshal of the 100th Findlay Market parade, will participate in pregame ceremonies. _
• Game Ball Delivery: Former Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo will deliver the Official Game Ball.
• Honorary Captain: Hall of Famer Joe Morgan will serve as the Honorary Captain of the game.

4:10 p.m. – Opening Day game – Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates

• Starting Pitchers: Reds RHP Luis Castillo vs. Pirates RHP Jameson Taillon
• Kroger First Responder: Detective Robert Fulton from the Florence Police Department will be recognized as the Kroger First Responder of the game during the middle of the first inning.
• Cincinnati Bell Hometown Hero: Chief Warrant Officer Scott Beeson of the United States Coast Guard will be recognized as the Cincinnati Bell Hometown Hero of the game at the end of the second inning.
• God Bless America: Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy senior Abby Cates will perform “God Bless America” during the 7th inning stretch. She recently competed on Season 15 of NBC’s The Voice as part of Kelly Clarkson’s team.

Friday, March 29 – Grand re-opening of Reds Hall of Fame & Museum presented by Dinsmore

• Reds Hall of Fame & Museum OPEN TO THE PUBLIC, 1:50 p.m.: In honor of the 150th anniversary of professional baseball in Cincinnati, the newly renovated Reds Hall of Fame & Museum will open to the public at 1:50 p.m.
• Johnny Bench Award press conference, 11:15 a.m.: Press conference featuring the Hall of Fame catcher to announce the Johnny Bench Award. This award is presented annually to college baseball’s top NCAA Division I catcher. In 2019, the award will be expanded and find a new home at the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum.
• Reds Hall of Fame & Museum ribbon-cutting ceremony: Immediately following the award announcement, a ribbon-cutting ceremony will take place at the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. Media and VIP’s will be invited to attend the ceremony and private preview of the new museum.

Saturday, March 30 – Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 2:10 p.m. (gates open at 12:40 p.m.)

• Kids Opening Day: Fans should arrive early for the 4th annual Kids Opening Day presented by Frisch’s Big Boy.
• Block Party & Player Parade: Festivities are scheduled to include Reds players and more than 30 local mascots walking the red carpet. Details are weather permitting. More information on Kids Opening Day activities will be available at reds.com/KidsOpeningDay.
• Kids Reds Cap Giveaway: Fans 14 and younger at the game will receive a free Joey Votto kids cap.

Sunday, March 31 – Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, 1:10 p.m. (gates open at 11:40 a.m.)

• Team Calendar: Free 2019 Reds Team Calendar to the first 20,000 fans, presented by Kroger.
• Family Sunday Activities: As part of Family Sundays, enjoy a special ticket offer, live mascot races, face painters and more. Tickets available at reds.com/Family. (Available in advance of game day only.)
• Brunch with Browning in The Handlebar: Fans can dine and watch the game in The Handlebar for just a $65 upgrade, which includes a buffet meal. Plus, meet “Mr. Perfect” Tom Browning from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Monday, April 1 – Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 6:40 p.m. (gates open at 5:40 p.m.)

Tuesday, April 2 – Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 6:40 p.m. (gates open at 5:40 p.m.)

Wednesday, April 3 – Reds vs. Milwaukee Brewers, 12:35 p.m. (gates open at 11:05 a.m.)

• Business Day Special: For $20, fans can purchase a View Level ticket and receive $10 in concession credits. Drop your business card in the container at a Fan Accommodation Station and you could win tickets to the next Business Day Game. Some restrictions apply. Available at reds.com/SkipWork.
• Senior Days: Fans 50 and older may purchase select non-premium tickets at half-price in advance of game day only. Each ticket includes free same-day admission to the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum. Excludes Fioptics District, Upper View Level, Value View and Kroger Bleachers. Some restrictions apply. Available only at reds.com/Seniors.