CINCINNATI - Former President George Bush threw the ceremonial first pitch - a strike that left him delighted - as the Cincinnati Reds dedicated their new ballpark Monday to a patriotic theme.

The Reds invited current President Bush to open Great American Ball Park, but he declined without explanation, allowing his father to fill in.

The pregame ceremonies were wrapped in a patriotic theme. Reds owner Carl Lindner began by paying tribute to U.S. troops in the Persian Gulf, and fans waved 6-by-9-inch flags placed on each of the 42,263 seats.

A trainer from the Cincinnati Zoo brought a bald eagle onto the field before Daniel Rodriguez - the ''Singing Policeman'' from New York City - sang ''The Star-Spangled Banner.'' Dozens of red-white-and-blue streamers were shot from the roof and swirled in the wind as the crowd chanted ''U-S-A! U-S-A! U-S-A!''

Two transport planes from an Ohio military base flew overhead before the former president walked onto the field wearing a black Reds jacket to throw the ceremonial first pitch.

He joked with the Pittsburgh Pirates, making it clear that he was rooting for the home team.

''He said he was going to hit us because he wanted the Reds to win,'' said outfielder Reggie Sanders, who hit the ballpark's first homer in the second inning.

Bush, a left-handed first baseman at Yale, stood on the grass in front of the mound and threw a strike to Reds shortstop Barry Larkin, crouched behind the plate. Bush waved his arms in delight at the on-target throw as the crowd roared.

Bush then walked to a microphone behind home plate and told the crowd that it was an honor ''to be off the bench substituting for another guy you know, the president of the United States of America.''

Larkin, the team captain, grabbed a catcher's mitt and got behind the plate at the urging of manager Bob Boone.

''We didn't know who was going to catch him,'' Larkin said. ''(Boone) said, 'He needs a catcher. Go get him.'''

Bush patted Larkin after the throw.

''He said, 'Are you all right? Did I hurt you?''' Larkin said.

As vice president, Bush threw a ceremonial pitch before the All-Star game at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati in 1988. He planned to throw a pitch before Game 2 of the 1990 World Series in Cincinnati, when troops were preparing for the first Gulf war, but backed out and was replaced by first lady Barbara Bush.

The Reds swept Oakland to win the 1990 Series. They lost their stadium opener Monday, 10-1.