Strong winds, temps in the 30's and snow falling across parts of the Tristate.
The forecast doesn't sound like Opening Day in Cincinnati but even the cold cannot put a damper on the return of fans to Great American Ballpark for the first time in 18 months. "We wish there was a blue skies and butterflies day but cold or not, we are looking forward to it," says Reds COO Phil Castellini. Because of the pandemic, your ballpark experience will be much different this year. The head of stadium operations says the club has gone to great lengths to keep visitors safe working with three different public health departments on protocols and procedures.
Ballpark capacity is being limited to 30% which will mean a maximum of about 12 thousand people per game. Masks are required and seating will be in pods, six feet apart from other guests. All transactions at concession stands will be cashless and there will be no vendors selling beer or other products in the aisles.
Long time season ticket holder Casey Green can't wait to get back inside great American ballpark. He has been at every opening day game where fans have been allowed since 1985 and Green says he has lots of calls from family and friends wanting to know if he has an extra ticket, "The only disappointment I have is how cold the weatherman says it is going to be, other than that I'm extremely excited."
Complete Coverage all day long on Newsradio 700 WLW of Opening Day in Cincinnati with the first pitch at 4-10. In addition to listening to the Reds on the radio this year, all games will be streaming live as well at https://www.iheart.com/live/700wlw-1713/ . You can also follow the action through the iHeartradio app on your mobile device, desk top or tablet.