CINCINNATI - Organizers of the city's 84th annual opening day parade are seeking a ''Rose'' by any other name.

A Pete Rose look-alike contest is set for Saturday to find someone to resemble the former Reds player and manager during the parade. Rose, banned from baseball since 1989 because of gambling accusations, has declined invitations to serve as parade grand marshal and to attend the first game in the team's new ballpark as Mayor Charlie Luken's guest.

The look-alike winner gets a place of honor in Monday's parade and two tickets to the season opener against Pittsburgh.

''We won't be asking anyone to do a headfirst slide,'' said Bob Pickford, executive director of the Corporation for Findlay Market, the parade's sponsor. Contestants are encouraged but not required to appear in costume.

Tom Browning, the only Reds pitcher to throw a perfect game, will be the grand marshal.

A larger crowd than last year's 60,000 is expected to turn out for the parade, which will have a record 205 entries, including 25 floats and 15 marching bands.

The new Great American Ball Park seats 42,263.