DODGERS STADIUM

Great American Ball Park is the second ballpark to be built on the banks of the Ohio River. Great American Ball Park is the home of the Cincinnati Reds, baseball's first professional franchise and is located in downtown Cincinnati, Ohio. Construction began on 4th of October, 2000 and was completed in time for the 2003 season. The new ballpark was "wedged" between Firstar Center and old Riverfront Stadium, allowing games to be played in the old stadium while the new one was built. It also meant that no new land had to be purchased. In March 1999, Hamilton County commissioners approved a ballpark which opened up to the Ohio River, the configuration that was favored by the Reds. The new stadium faces 40° further south than Riverfront Stadium, meaning batters face southeast. Great American Insurance bought the naming rights to the ballpark for $75 million over 30 years, thus the stadium was named Great American Ball Park. The Cincinnati Reds christened their second ballpark on the riverfront on March 31, 2003. Great American Ball Park is a combination of new and old ballparks and provides an excellent setting for baseball. Walking along the outside perimeter of the ballpark down Second Street fans are greeted by a three story building of brick and cast limestone, with the phrase “Rounding third and heading for home,” the signature sign-off of broadcaster Joe Nuxhall, atop the building. Banners of great moments in Reds history also lines this area. At the intersection of Second and Main streets is an opening to Crosley Terrace, a point most fans pass through before entering the ballpark. The terrace is about an acre of concrete, landscaped with grass and trees. Statutes of Crosley Field-era players (Joe Nuxhall, Ernie Lombardi, Ted Kluszewski and Frank Robinson) dot the landscape, along with a pitcher's mound built to Major League Baseball dimensions of the day. Grass in the terrace is sloped at the same incline as Crosley Field's outfield. Special lighting illuminates the statues, stone benches and a 60-foot stone sculpture meant to depict the romance of the game. Located adjacent and connecting to Great American Ball Park along Main Street is the Reds Hall of Fame Museum and team store. A rose garden, remembering Pete Rose, is located near the museum, and is near where his record breaking hit 4,192 was at Riverfront Stadium. One of the largest scoreboards in baseball is located above the stands in left field, blocking the view of US Bank Arena. A clock atop the main scoreboard in left field is a replica of the Longines analog clock that was at Crosley Field. The bullpens are located beyond the outfield, the Reds in left centerfield, and the visiting team's bullpen behind the outfield wall near the right field foul pole. A brewpub, known as the Machine Room is located near the Reds bullpen and gives fans a place to relax and catch the ballgame with their friends. The bar features tons of memorabilia about the Big Red Machine. Located between the batters eye and the stands in right field is a 64 feet high and 36 feet wide homerun feature. Great American Ballpark has approximately 42,059 red seats in three levels. The lower grandstand extends from the left field foul pole to homeplate and around to the right field foul pole. The second deck consists of club seats, luxury suites, and the press box. Stretching from foul pole to foul pole, the upper deck is broken into two sections. The gap is an opening in the seating sections located between homeplate and third base. This enables people in downtown Cincinnati to see into the ballpark. The gap allows the upper deck to be closer to the field than most in baseball. Doubled decked bleachers are located in left field and additional seating is located beyond the right field fence. With little foul territory at Great American Ballpark, fans receive excellent views of the game. The Architects and Construction was undertaken by HOK Sport; GBBN Architects and Hunt Construction Group, Inc. The cost for building The Great American Ball Park was $325 million.