Changes to our park
Have you recently found yourself at Great American Ballpark and thought “Man, I could really go for some bacon on a stick and a self-serving beer sounds great right now.” ?
Well,with all the new additions coming to Great American for the 2015 season that will now be possible.
Great American Ballpark has always seemed fresh and new each season because of new renovations that have been implemented. The Reds organization decided not to hold back this year.
The first changes fans will notice are new Great American Ballpark signs outside the stadium.
Inside, painters were doing touch-ups on the new Retail Row area behind home plate. New storefronts will give the space a Main Street-type feel.
The new storefronts for the Majestic Home Plate Shop, Split the Pot Booth, Season Ticket Holder Central, Game-Used Authentic and Fan Club Corner replace kiosks in the area. Reds COO Phil Castellini said the space was designed to resemble EPCOT at Walt Disney World in Florida.
Fans will notice around 25 new self-serve beer stations where you have to just insert your beer card that is redeemable for the booze.
Castellini said the Reds spent $2 million on updating the first-floor concessions areas. Taste of Belgium and Moerlein’s Lager House were also added to the third baseline offerings.
One of the biggest changes for the 2015 season is the addition of the Pamper’s Nursing Suite built by Fischer Homes. The suite offers new mothers a private place to nurse their newborn babies. It’s complete with a kitchenette, rocking chairs, a changing area, lockers, a private bathroom free Pamper’s products and activity area for small children. The space is located on the suite level on the first baseline and is free to use.
The handlebar Riverfront club was updated to provide all you can eat food and drink as well as open air seating.
Food Network fans may recognize Chef James as a recent Chopped winner. Some of the items he’s helped bring to the ballpark include Bacon on a Stick, Steak Mac and Cheese, Moroccan Chicken and Seafood Sushi. Chef James says he’s particularly excited about the Fry Box concept which features fries with toppings ranging from coleslaw to buffalo chicken.
These additions are not only for the people of Cincinnati but for all baseball fans during the 2015All Star Game.
Fans who got a firsthand experience of the new additions at Opening Day have a lot to say. Junior Tyler Wuebbolt commented on the matter.
“The new signs on the outside made it seem like I was walking into a whole new ballpark. I didn’t get to try the Fry Box because of long lines but the smell and sights of large decadent boxes of fries was exhilarating.” I finished by asking Tyler if the Reds will win the World Series. He said, “This is going to be a special year for Cincinnati baseball.”
The changes in atmosphere and look hopefully spark a change in the Reds play style from last year. Here’s to a great season.
