Homestand Highlights April 24 - May 3, 2012
Tuesday, April 24, 2012 - Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants, 7:10 p.m.
• Bark in the Park presented by Iams and Kroger: Over 600 dogs and their owners will be at the ballpark for the first sold-out Bark in the Park of the 2012 season. A special seating area is reserved for dog owners and their pets while the Fan Zone will turn into the “Dog Zone” with product samples and activities for both dogs and owners. Free collapsible pet bowl to the first 5,000 pet owners. A pregame parade with all the dogs and owners begins at 6:25 p.m.
• University of Kentucky: UK men’s basketball coach John Calipari and members of his coaching staff along with the NCAA national championship trophy will honored on the field before the game. Coach Cal will throw out a ceremonial first pitch at 7 p.m. and fans can get photos of the trophy from the 1st inning to the end of the 4th inning on the Terrace Level above the Reds bullpen.
• Honorary Captains: Tonight’s Honorary Captains of the Game will be Japanese Sumo Wrestlers Yuki Ohno (YOU-key Oh-No) and Yukihiro Tsuji (YOU-key-hero Sue-gee). The wrestlers are in town as part of the Japan America Society of Greater Cincinnati’s celebration of the 100-year anniversary of the gift of cherry trees from the Japanese Ambassador’s wife to Cincinnati-native and then First Lady Helen Taft in 1912.
• Reds Go Green: GABP will be “carbon neutral” tonight in recognition of this past Sunday’s Earth Day. Through the purchase of Voluntary Emission Reduction credits the Reds and Duke Energy have teamed up to “Go Green” for the game.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012 - Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants, 7:10 p.m.
• Arthritis Foundation Night: Tonight is the second annual Arthritis Foundation Night at Great American Ball Park. The Reds are recognizing the Arthritis Walk fundraising team on field during pre-game ceremonies and Barbara Perez, CMO of the Arthritis Foundation, will be accepting a donation from the Reds.
Thursday, April 26, 2012 - Cincinnati Reds vs. San Francisco Giants, 12:35 p.m.
• 2011 Canadian Player of the Year Award: Reds first baseman Joey Votto will be presented with The Tip O’Neill Award during pregame ceremonies. The Tip O’Neill Award is presented annually by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame to the player(s) judged to have excelled in individual achievement and team contribution while adhering to baseball’s highest ideals. Milwaukee Brewers closer John Axford was also awarded The Tip O’Neill Award for 2011. (Votto received the award in 2010)
• Tri-State Centers for Sight Senior Citizen Specials: Fans 60 and older may purchase select non-premium tickets at half-price in advance of game day only. Excludes Outer View Level and Kroger Bleachers. Fans taking advantage of the Senior Day offer also receive a voucher good for free admission to the Reds Hall Of Fame & Museum on the day of the game, courtesy of Humana.
• Paycor Business Day Specials: Drop your business card in the container at a Fan Accommodation Station and you could win tickets to the next Business Day Game on May 3.
Friday, April 27, 2012 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros, 7:10 p.m.
• 10,000th win giveaway: An 8x10 print commemorating the 10,000th franchise victory will be distributed to the first 10,000 fans.
• The 2012 All-Star Game Ballot: Balloting has begun for the 83rd All-Star Game on July 10 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City. Fans can vote at the ballpark, exclusively at MLB.com and Reds.com, wired or mobile. Fans to cast up to 25 ballots per email address.
• MLB Breaking Barriers: During pregame ceremonies, Raeya Ponugoti, a fifth grader from Indianapolis, Indiana, will be honored as the Grand Prize winner of the 2012 Breaking Barriers: In Sports, In Life Essay contest. Sharon Robinson, the daughter of Jackie Robinson and Educational Programming Consultant for MLB, will participate in the ceremonies.
• Jackie Robinson Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner Award: The 6th Annual Jackie Robinson Most Valuable Diverse Business Partner Award will be presented to All Gone Pest Control during pregame ceremonies.
• NKU Night: Over 1,000 students, faculty, staff and alumni from Northern Kentucky University will be in attendance tonight. Retiring NKU president Dr. James Votruba will throw out a ceremonial first pitch to president-elect Mr. Geoffrey Mearns.
• E-Waste Recycling Drive: Fans are encouraged to recycle old electronics at the PNC/Players for the Planet E-Waste Recycling Drive today at the PNC Bank at Anderson Town Center from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m. Jay Bruce, Ryan Hanigan and Marty Brennaman will greet recyclers from Noon to 1 p.m. (No autographs, please)
Saturday, April 28, 2012 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros, 4:10 p.m.
• Fleece Blanket: Free Reds Fleece Blanket to the first 20,000 fans, presented by Duke Energy Retail.
• Nick Lachey: On behalf of the Big Brothers Big Sisters Day with the Reds, Nick Lachey will lead the crowd in singing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” from one of the Big Brothers Big Sisters seating sections. Discount tickets are available with a portion going back to Big Brothers Big Sisters: reds.com/BBBS. Nick will also serve as the Honorary Captain of the Game.
• E-Waste Recycling Drive: Fans are encouraged to recycle old electronics at the PNC/Players for the Planet E-Waste Recycling Drive today at the PNC Bank at Hyde Park Plaza from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Drew Stubbs and Nick Lachey will greet recyclers from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. (No autographs, please)
• Bruce’s Buddies: Thirty special needs children and adults are attending today’s game compliments of Jay Bruce.
Sunday, April 29, 2012 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Houston Astros, 1:10 p.m.
• Baseball Card Set: Free Kids Team Baseball Card Set to the first 8,000 kids 14 and younger, presented by Kahn’s.
• Bruce’s Battalion: Jay Bruce is carrying on the tradition of honoring local military families with the Bruce’s Battalion ticket program. At each Sunday home game Jay sponsors a group in the Sun Deck and each guest gets a ticket to the game, a custom camouflage Reds cap and concessions vouchers. Families interested in participating can contact: [email protected]
• Meijer Family Days: Sundays are family days at the ballpark. One member of the family pays full price and may purchase up to three non-premium tickets at half-price in advance of game day only. Excludes Outer View Level and Kroger Bleachers.
• Run the Bases Days: Fans of all ages can line up after the game to run the bases. (Weather permitting)
• E-Waste Recycling Drive: Fans are encouraged to recycle old electronics at the PNC/Players for the Planet E-Waste Recycling Drive today at the Newport Kroger from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Tuesday, May 1, 2012 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 7:10 p.m.
• Kid Glove Game #1: 3,600 tickets for this game were sold through the Kid Glove Program. Since 1949, the Kid Glove Program has raised over $8.8 million for local youth baseball and softball programs.
• MLB 2K12 Tour: The “Major League Baseball 2K12” tour stops at GABP and features a custom-designed MLB 2K12 recreation vehicle rigged with portable video game gear for the Xbox 360 and PS3 consoles so Reds fans can experience the latest installment of the “MLB 2K” franchise.
Wednesday, May 2, 2012 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 7:10 p.m.
• Kid Glove Game #2: 3,700 tickets for this game were sold through the Kid Glove Program. Since 1949, the Kid Glove Program has raised over $8.8 million for local youth baseball and softball programs.
• German Heritage Night: Reds are celebrating German Heritage Night with various events including German Heritage Dancers performing around the ballpark and the Koelping Choir singing the National Anthem.
• Dusty Days: In celebration of Manager Dusty Baker, the Reds are spicing up Great American Ball Park with a unique vibe to bring the flavors and rhythms of the region to life. 250 players and coaches from the Cincinnati RBI teams will participate in the pregame parade around the field.
Thursday, May 3, 2012 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Chicago Cubs, 7:10 p.m.
• Tri-State Centers for Sight Senior Citizen Specials: Fans 60 and older may purchase select non-premium tickets at half-price in advance of game day only. Excludes Outer View Level and Kroger Bleachers. Fans taking advantage of the Senior Day offer also receive a voucher good for free admission to the Reds Hall Of Fame & Museum on the day of the game, courtesy of Humana.
• Paycor Business Day Specials: Drop your business card in the container at a Fan Accommodation Station and you could win tickets to the next Business Day Game on June 14.
Other Highlights:
• Reds Camps: Sign up now for the official Cincinnati Reds baseball and softball summer camps, presented by Safeco Insurance. Locations include Cincinnati, Dayton, Indianapolis, Lexington, Louisville and Columbus. Each camp 30 hours of instruction packed with skills development, competition, camaraderie and fun. Campers are given full Reds uniform, trip to Great American Ball Park and four tickets to upcoming Reds game. More info at reds.com/camps.