Great American Ball Park - Home of the Cincinnati Reds |
Capacity: 42,053 Address:
100 Main Street
Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
Dimensions:
Left field - 328 feet
Left-center - 379 feet
Center field - 404 feet
Right-center - 370 feet
Right field - 325 feet |
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The Cincinnati Reds moved into their new home for the 2003 season. Great American Ball Park replaced the aging cookie cutter venue Riverfront Stadium. Riverfront Stadium saw imposed on December 29, 2002. The multipurpose stadium was the home of the Reds and NFL Cincinnati Bengals from 1970 onward.
Construction began on Great American Ball Park on August 1, 2000. The $290 million facility features the third-largest scoreboard in the Major Leagues. The playing field is a custom grown Kentucky Bluegrass sod. Amenities include the "Spirit of Baseball" Relief, a 50 by 20 foot sculpture that adorns the west end of the Reds Administration Building. Mosaics also honor the original 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings and 1975 Big Red Machine teams. A special marker commemorating Pete Rose's record-breaking hit will be unveiled for the 2004 season. The location of the marker is situated on the spot where the hit landed and will be surrounded by a rose garden.
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Though the Reds moved to address their
biggest need, pitching, with their second
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through sixth picks in the 2005 draft, they
started off with athletic center fielder Jay
Bruce. The 18-year-old Texan made steady
progress after signing for $1.8 million. Bruce is a few years away
from Cincinnati, and he may grow into a corner outfielder by then,
but the early returns have been positive.
Prospects
RHP Homer Bailey Top pick in 2004 is a couple of years away, but
is a potential No. 1 starter.
C Miguel Perez Ready to play in the majors defensively, must
improve with the bat to make the leap.
1B JoeyVotto Closest power prospect to the majors.
LHP Travis Wood Only 19, was almost untouchable in first pro
season with devastating changeup.
OF B.J. Szymanski Good athlete has had trouble staying healthy. |
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Eric Milton was supposed to be the Reds' big splash last season, and he made one — but it nearly drowned the entire team. The club-record 40 home runs he surrendered led the majors, and his 6.47 ERA was the second-highest in National League history. Unable to secure a high-calibei starter this offseason, the Reds' best hope for a turnaround in their rotation is for Milton to recover and turn in a season more in line with hij career numbers, which featured a 4.76 ERA before last year's debacle. |
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NL Central Baseball Sites |
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St. Louis Cardinals
Houston Astros
Chicago Cubs
Milwaukee Brewers
Pittsburgh Pirates
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