CINCINNATI —As the Cincinnati Reds prepare to celebrate another new season and the 150th anniversary of professional baseball in Cincinnati, fans should be aware of some of the festivities at Great American Ball Park on Opening Day on March 28 prior to the Reds vs. Pirates at 4:10 p.m.
Reds Hall of Famer Eric Davis will throw out the ceremonial first pitch and Reds & National Baseball Hall of Famer Johnny Bench will catch the first pitch.
Reds & National Baseball Hall of Famer Joe Morgan will serve as the Honorary Captain of the game.
Former Reds pitcher Bronson Arroyo will deliver the Official Game Ball.
Additionally, Bench will ride in the 100th Findlay Market Parade with Commissioner Rob Manfred, who is serving as Grand Marshal in honor of the 150th Anniversary of Professional Baseball which began in Cincinnati in 1869.
The National Anthem will be performed by The Mistics. It will be the first Opening Day Anthem performance for the very popular local musicians.
God Bless America will be performed by Abby Cates, senior at Cincinnati Hills Christian Academy who recently competed on NBC’s The Voice.
Opening Day Flyover will be performed by two F-16 Fighting Falcons – part of the 112th (one-twelfth) Fighter Squadron “Stingers” located at the 180th Fighter Wing Ohio Air National Guard base in Toledo, Ohio.
Ballpark gates will open to the public at 2:10 p.m. Pregame ceremonies will begin at 3:30 p.m. First pitch is at 4:10 p.m.
Fans can come down to the ballpark early the Reds Community Fund Block Party at The Banks. The party starts at 11 a.m. with food, drinks, live music and more. All proceeds benefit the youth baseball and softball programs of the Reds Community Fund.