Great American Ball Park

From SoSH

Great American Ball Park

Location:	Cincinnati, Ohio
Opened:	March 28, 2003
Owner:	City of Cincinnati and Hamilton County
Surface:	Grass
Architect:	HOK Sport (Kansas City) GBBN Architects (Cincinnati)
Current Capacity:	42,059
Build Cost:	$325 Million
Tenants:	Cincinnati Reds (2003 - Present)

1 Stadium History
2 Ground Rules
3 Trivia
4 Field Dimensions
5 Wall Height
6 External Links

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Stadium History

Construction began in October 2000 and was completed in time for the 2003 season. The new ballpark was "wedged" between Firstar Center and old Riverfront Stadium, allowing games to be played in the old stadium while the new one was built. It also meant that no new land had to be purchased. In March 1999, Hamilton County commissioners approved a ballpark which opened up to the Ohio River, the configuration that was favored by the Reds.

On July 7, 2000 the Reds announced a naming rights deal with the Great American Insurance Company to call the stadium the "Great American Ball Park. The $75 million deal called for the Reds to receive $2.5 million annually for 30 years, beginning in 2003.

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Ground Rules

In addition to adhering to the Universal Ground Rules, The Great Amerian Ball Park has the following ground rules:

DUGOUT AND PHOTOGRAPHERS' AREAS

Ball striking facing over dugout or recessed steel railing: Out of Play.

OUTFIELD AREA

Batted ball in flight striking vertical yellow line in left-center field or right field corner and caroming over outfield fence: Home Run.

Batted fair ball striking railing on top of wall down the line in foul territory and rebounding onto playing field: In Play.

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Trivia

George W. Bush became the first sitting president to throw a ceremonial first pitch on Opening Day in Cincinnati here on April 3, 2006.
Crosley Terrace, inspired by the former Reds ballpark, is the main entry plaza at 2nd and Main. It features statues, benches and landscaped grass areas built at the same incline as those at old Crosley Field.
The Reds Hall of Fame is located on the western edge of the ballpark.
A replica of the Longines clock from Crosley Field is located on the top of the main scoreboard.
An out-of-town scoreboard is installed in the left field wall and allows for other game scores to be displayed at the same time and continuously.
Two 64-foot-high smokestacks with a riverboat theme in right field spew fireworks and mist after Reds' home runs, stellar plays or victories.

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