Reds-Pirates from GABP

Posted on 12. Apr, 2009 by Corey in General Baseball.

Cincinnati Reds starting pitcher Aaron Harang got all the offensive support he needed in the first when second baseman Brandon Phillips connected for a two run homer.  Harang would scatter three hits and walk no one as the Reds won the finale of the homestand 2-0 over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Harang’s complete game shutout evened his record at 1-1 and lowered his earned run average to 0.64 on the young season.  The Reds offense had numerous chances throughout the game and stranded 18 runners on base.

The Pirates got good pitching from their starter Ian Snell and three members of the bullpen, but could not figure out Harang at the plate.  Pittsburgh also turned a triple play late in the game, a rare feat in baseball.

GAME EXTRAS
-    I understand that it was Easter Sunday, but what a poor turnout for a professional baseball game. You would think this would be a great chance for families to be together, but they did not show up.  The crowd was announced at 12,876, which is only 30.6% full of capacity.  I would guess there were a few thousand less than that.

-    Always a pleasure to look over into the pressbox and see my friend and yours C. Trent Rosecrans.  He was in the second row for today’s day game to cut down on the glare on his computer.  He usually blogs live during the games, and always a nice addition to watching or listening to the game.
-    The Easter Bunny was spotted on the field before the game.
-    I always get a kick out of fans thinking EVERY ball hit is a homer.  In the bottom of the first, Joey Votto hit a routine fly ball to left field, that Nyjer Morgan did not even have to move for, and the two fans in front of me jumped up with excitement as soon as the ball left the bat. They felt quite stupid seeing how short it was of the wall.  Then, when Phillips blasted a homer they did not even move.
-    The weather was a bit chilly in the shade, but very nice and comfortable in the sun.
-    Jarvis was the funniest vendor I saw all day as he attempted to sell peanuts and lemon chills.
-    Today’s style is for baseballs to wear their pants baggy and long.  Some players, like Cincinnati Red Francisco Cordero go as far as hooking the bottom of his pants into his back cleat.  But Pirate outfielder Nyjer Morgan not only goes “pants up” but also shows off the old school black stirrup with tons of white sock.

-    The Reds wore their Sunday Red jerseys while the Pirates were in their road grey uniforms and all black hats.
-    The Reds featured “Player on the rise” was Triple-A infielder and former Dragon Chris Valiaka.  From experience with working with him, I can tell you that Valiaka is a GREAT guy.
-    During the KOI Car Race on the scoreboard, I am sad to admit that my sister Jodi beat me.  She picked the Blue car leaving me with either red or white.  Did not matter what I picked as the blue car smoked us all.  Might have been the first time she has ever beaten me at anything!
-    Four former Dayton Dragons were in the Reds starting lineup.

STADIUM QUIRKS
-    I may be a bit biased since I attend so many games at Great American Ballpark, but it is one of my favorite to sit in the seats and watch a game. I truly like the view from down low in the second deck where you can see into the river and the whole field.  As a whole, I do not have this stadium near the tops of my list, since I am not a fan of the concourses and extra features at the stadium.  To the Reds credit, they are trying adding new things every season, but just cannot find that “sexy appeal” to the stadium that I look for.
-    BATTLE OF THE SODAS: Finally, after many years the Reds are back with Coke.  Best offseason accusation that have made in years!

-    It has been documented in the local media, but Great American Ballpark has a new scoreboard this season.  Much bigger, clearer and seems to be a nice improvement so far.

-    There are new LED boards in right field to display the National League standings.  The Reds have tried different types of flags to display the standings for a few years now, and thankfully finally gave up and replaced them with electronic boards.

-    I may be alone on this, but I am kind of upset that the Red took down the special mural they had on the outfield wall celebrating Ken Griffey Jr.’s 600th career home run, a feat he accomplished last season. I understand that Griffey is no longer a member of the Reds, but they does not change the accomplishment.  We still have Joe Morgan’s number retired and displayed at Great American even though he did not finish his career as a Red.

–

There is a new Kroger Strikeout countdown signs in the left field bleachers to keep track of the Reds pitchers strikeouts.

-    The out of town scoreboard that is on the left field wall is also new this year. I really like it and gives more information to follow the other teams around baseball.

-    One of my favorite parts of this park is the HH Gregg area where they have many flat screen TV’s to watch other games throughout baseball. There is also tables and chairs to sit and relax.

-    A favorite of lots of Reds fans is to play the “Reds Rally Game” during the ballgame.  This scorecard is set up where you “X” out the spots based on the action on the field and any five squares in a straight line is a winner.

-    Not sure if this is a sign of what is to come all season, but the Skyline Chili Shuffle on the scoreboard seemed a bit more challenging.

6 Responses to “Reds-Pirates from GABP”

1. mackdaddy says:

   April 12, 2009 at 3:53 pm

   Sounds like you had a nice trip to the GAP. Was there a promotion today? A big easter egg hunt or anything like that? I am glad you had fun, did you eat gold star chili?

2. Corey says:

   April 12, 2009 at 4:11 pm

   We received schedule magnets when we walked into the stadium…They sell Skyline chili, so no gold star today. Plus Skyline is better anyways…Easter Egg Hunt would of been cool…

3. ELB says:

   April 12, 2009 at 6:58 pm

   Corey
   Maybe your sister has never beaten you in anything but who is better looking?

4. michael kriston says:

   April 12, 2009 at 8:52 pm

   Hmmm

   That’s not right with pulling the griffey off the wall

   Waiting for the red eye back from San Francisco-giants were not at home(at least the 3 times we were in that area), but the park was gorgeous from the outside reminded me a little bit of PNC park-dont know why, but that was the first park I thought of when I saw it

   Hope the attendance gets better as the year progresses

5. Corey says:

   April 13, 2009 at 1:48 am

   You are dead on about reminding you of PNC Park…Funny you say that since those are my top two stadiums in baseball on my fav list!!!!

6. Jodi says:

   April 13, 2009 at 2:26 am

   ELB must be one of your cooler readers. I feel like I was at the game with all that description. Oh wait I was and I did not see you take half of those pictures. I must have been too into the ball game since I felt like they needed some extra support as one of the few fans that showed up. I agree their should have been an Easter Egg hunt because I would have beat you at finding eggs for sure.