Let's Get It Started
Play Ball!
The Reds take on Atlanta today, with a first pitch time of 8:08 p.m. Catch the action at The Banks in the DORA district, and it will feel a little bit like you’re at the game!
The eternal question in Cincinnati isn’t “What are you doing New Year’s Eve?” but rather “What are you doing for Opening Day?”
Though the season officially starts today, the “home opener” – a phrase eerily strange to Reds’ fans – marks the true beginning of baseball season in Cincinnati.
Some people start the day at Arnold’s for kegs and eggs and recitations of baseball poetry from Cincinnati Shakespeare Company. Other people take the day off of work (and the kids out of school) to stake out a spot to watch the parade. Still others are mustering at Findlay Market to be IN the parade.
Julie calvert
I grew up in Cincy, but didn’t get to attend Opening Day until I was an adult. It was in 2003, and it was the first game in Great American Ball Park. What’s more, I was invited to sit with a colleague two rows up from the dugout.
I was in awe looking around that brand new stadium, daydreaming about all the historic and fun games and events that would follow. I realized this was more than an Opening Day, it was a life moment.
To paraphrase Ron Swanson, there is no wrong way to experience Opening Day.
Kevin necessary
My favorite Opening Day memory is from 2014. It was only the second Opening Day game I’d gone to, but it was the day my very first professional editorial cartoon in Cincinnati was published. I had just been hired by WCPO to draw one Reds cartoon a week during baseball season.
My dream of drawing editorial cartoons in my hometown had come true. There was no better subject for my first cartoon than the promise and potential of Opening Day.
Who’s on First?
The Bob and Tom Show – Get moving early, as the radio show broadcasts live from Hard Rock Cafe starting at 5:30 a.m. More details.
Arnold’s – The oldest bar in the city starts the day with breakfast from 9–11 a.m., lots of new beers on tap, music from Todd Hepburn (11–3 p.m.), Cincinnati Shakespeare Company’s Jeremy Dubin and Justin McCombs performing Casey at the Bat and Who’s on First?, autographed Reds prizes and of course, Jim Tarbell.
Moerlein Lager House – On Opening Day, thee event lawn and new Beer Garden will be in full swing. The fun starts at 10 a.m., with Gamble 'n Fin Larger Than Live show with special guests, along with hourly trivia and prizes, and live music throughout the morning.
Rounding the Bases
The Findlay Market Opening Day Parade begins at noon on Tuesday, April 12, with Hall of Famer Barry Larkin as Grand Marshal. The West Side Little Leagues All-Star team will be in the parade!
This parade begins on Race Street and continues all the way down to Fifth Street, turning east on Fifth and ending at the Taft Theater.
A couple of the best viewing spots are at Washington Park and Fountain Square. If you are lucky enough to have any friends with homes or offices overlooking the route, that’s also a g.reat way to enjoy the festivities (especially if it’s cold or raining!)
Pam Kravetz
You know, I do love a parade! And Cincinnati is truly the Queen City of parades. Driving the Arnold’s Bar and Grill motorized bathtub with all my friends marching alongside is definitely the most joyful thing a girl can do on the Red’s Opening Day!
The Reds are so much fun to watch, I love eating nachos out of a baseball hat, and I was over the moon when I got to eat a veggie hot dog with all the fixings!
taking the field
Tuesday, April 12, 4:10 PM
The Battle for the Ohio Cup starts early, as the Reds take on the Cleveland Guardians.
A probable starter hasn’t been announced, but Joe Burrow will be throwing out the first pitch. NLF Offensive Rookie of the Year will present the MLB Rookie of the Year Award to Reds second baseman Jonathan India.
Iris Simpson Bush
One of my favorite opening day stories, and there are many, was in 2019.
The Flying Pig always has a float in the parade and Channel 5 actually does part of their broadcast from the float. We provide entertainment by Tracy Walker and really make it, not only an annual tradition, but a fun party for our sponsors and staff.
That year, there was a high school marching band positioned in front of us and parade marshals have to make each unit keep up the pace and stay in their assigned spaces. One of the students, playing a drum got so tired that he and his mom (I think he may have needed special assistance) kept falling back into our space. He just did not want to stop, but was really struggling.
Jim Bush, who coordinates the building of our float and our participation and the logistics of the day, noticed his struggles and Jim offered to carry his drum. The young man gladly gave it up and Jim, who has never played drums, walked next to him, playing as best he could and the young guy started dancing and actually seemed to be enjoying being there. It was so heartwarming to see that act of kindness and the appreciation from the boy and his mother. It just embodied community support and what a difference random acts (or oinks) of kindness can make.
It still makes me smile when I watch and remember all the smiles it generated.
Though it’s strange for the Reds to be starting the season on the road, the last time that happened was 1990. And we all remember how that turned out, so maybe it’s not such a terrible thing after all.