Okay, here's another baseball & geography fun fact. What river runs by the ball park in Cincy? Come on, think. I didn't know this. It's the same one that passes near the ballpark in Pittsburgh. Yep, the Ohio River. So, here's the next question, does the river run from Pitts to Cincy or from Cincy to Pitts? And, where does the Ohio begin and end?
Ok, baseball in Cincy doesn't quite make it. The stadium is more like a 2010 version of Riverfront Stadium or the Vet than it is like Citizen's Bank, PNC Park or Camden Yards. The color red everywhere and the place feels big. Nothing homey here. Outfield walls are high and deep, foul territory is wide, and the players a not fan friendly at all and neither is security or seating personnel.
Wyatt's ball/bat STREAK ended here. Not many BP HR hitters with Cincy or St. Louis (Pujolis not included) and as mentioned the field just isn't hitter friendly. They open that gates even later, here....5:45. The only Red that reached out to fans was former Philly Scott Rolen (seen below). He's come back to life this year.
Conclusion: This is not a baseball town. Look at the empty seats. It was only 85% of capacity and this is Reds v. St. Louis. They're in a pennant race. It's 15 years since Cincy made the playoffs. Where are the fans? We picked-up a nice black, Reds' Joey Votto t-shirt. Lesson learn: go to ballparks (Fenway, Yankee Stadium, Citizen's Bank) with teams that have HR hitters and are know as hitter parks --- it makes for a better game and a more fun BP. Be thankful if you live in, near, or root for a baseball town. I'd go back to Pittsburgh for it's setting and fans and fun atmosphere but Cincy, eh. Oh, St. Louis exploded for 7 in the 4th inning and won.
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