CINCINNATI (Jan. 7, 2014) -- The 2014 Cincinnati Reds Caravan begins and ends at Great American Ball Park with an expanded route of 17 fan stops in five states with the addition of stops in Evansville, Ind., and Nashville, Tenn.
The kick off for this 3,000 mile journey over four days is Thursday, Jan. 23 from the Reds Hall of Fame and Museum and ends on Sunday, Jan. 26 in the FOX Sports Ohio Champions Club. The Reds Caravan is presented by Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network
Each tour travels simultaneously through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, West Virginia and Tennessee providing fans with the opportunity to interact with current and former players, broadcasters and members of the Reds front office staff. At each fan stop, the group will field questions from fans and sign autographs while time allows.
The four tours return to Cincinnati on Sunday, Jan. 26 for the annual Select-A-Seat event at Great American Ball Park, where they will join fans meeting with Reds ticket representatives to choose ticket plans and seat locations for the 2014 season.
New for 2014: The West Tour will visit Eastland Mall in Evansville, Ind. on Friday, Jan. 24. The South Tour will visit RiverGate Mall in Nashville and Alltech Arena at Kentucky Horse Park in Lexington on Saturday, Jan. 25.
"As our fan base continues to grow, we are expanding the Caravan to visit every corner of Reds Country," said Phil Castellini, Reds Chief Operating Officer. "Our player, coaches, broadcasters, and Reds personnel look forward to these four days every year as our official kick off to the new season of Reds baseball. It's amazing to experience the welcome we receive from our loyal fans at every stop along the way."
All Caravan fan stops open to the public are free, and at each fan stop listed below (excluding Select-A-Seat) the Reds will raffle two tickets to the 2014 Opening Day game on Monday, March 31 (4:10 pm) vs. the St. Louis Cardinals.
The North Tour includes broadcaster Jim Kelch, broadcaster and former pitcher Jeff Brantley, outfielder Billy Hamilton, Reds Hall of Famer Tom Browning, minor league outfielder Jesse Winker, VP of Baseball Operations Dick Williams and mascot Rosie Red.
North Tour Fan Stops Time EST
Thursday,Jan. 23 Columbus, Ohio (Polaris Fashion Place) 6 to 8:30 pm
Friday, Jan. 24 Lima, Ohio (Lima Mall) 4 to 7:30 pm
Saturday, Jan. 25 Dayton, Ohio (National Museum of the U.S. Air Force) 11 am to 2 pm
Saturday, Jan. 25 Hamilton, Ohio (Parrish Auditorium at Miami-Hamilton University) 3 to 6 pm
Sunday, Jan. 26 Cincinnati, Ohio (Select-A-Seat at Great American Ball Park) Noon to 2:30 pm
The South Tour includes broadcaster Thom Brennaman, broadcaster Jim Day, GM Walt Jocketty, pitcher Mat Latos (Thursday only), Sam LeCure (Friday, Saturday & Sunday), catcher Corky Miller, minor league outfielder Ryan LaMarre, COO Phil Castellini and mascot Mr. Redlegs.
South Tour Fan Stops Time EST
Thursday, Jan. 23 Louisville, Ky. (Louisville Slugger Field) 5:30 to 8:30 pm
Friday, Jan. 24 Bowling Green, Ky. (Greenwood Mall) 4:30 to 7:30 pm
Saturday, Jan. 25 Nashville, Tenn. (RiverGate Mall) 10 am to 12:30 pm
Saturday, Jan. 25 Lexington, Ky. (Alltech Arena at Kentucky Horse Park - new location for 2014) 4 to 7 pm
Sunday, Jan. 26 Cincinnati, Ohio (Select-A-Seat at Great American Ball Park) Noon to 2:30 pm
The East Tour includes broadcaster Jeff Piecoro, broadcaster and former pitcher Chris Welsh, manager Bryan Price, pitcher Logan Ondrusek (Thursday only), pitcher Homer Bailey (Friday, Saturday & Sunday), 2013 Minor League Player of the Year Seth Mejias-Brean, Director of Player Development Jeff Graupe and mascot Mr. Red.
East Tour Fan Stops Time EST
Thursday, Jan. 23 Athens, Ohio (The Market on State) 5:15 to 7:45 pm
Friday, Jan. 24 Charleston, W.Va. (Charleston Town Center) 6:30 to 9 pm
Saturday, Jan. 25 Parkersburg/Vienna, W.Va. (Grand Central Mall) 11 am to 1:30 pm
Saturday, Jan. 25 Ashland, Ky. (Fannin Motors) 4 to 7 pm
Sunday, Jan. 26 Cincinnati, Ohio (Select-A-Seat at Great American Ball Park) Noon to 2:30 pm
The West Tour includes broadcaster Marty Brennaman, catcher Brayan Pena, broadcaster and former player Doug Flynn, Assistant GM Bob Miller, minor league catcher Tucker Barnhart and mascot Gapper.
West Tour Fan Stops Time EST
Thursday, Jan. 23 Muncie, Ind. (Stoops Automotive) 5:30 to 8 pm
Friday, Jan. 24 Evansville, Ind. (Eastland Mall - new location for 2014) 5 to 7:30 pm
Saturday, Jan. 25 Bloomington, Ind. (College Mall) 10:30 am to 1:30 pm
Saturday, Jan. 25 Indianapolis, Ind. (Castleton Square Mall) 3 to 6 pm
Sunday, Jan. 26 Cincinnati, Ohio (Select-A-Seat at Great American Ball Park) Noon to 2:30 pm
Reds sales representatives will be at each stop to answer ticketing questions and discuss 2014 ticket plans, while the Reds Hall of Fame, the Reds Community Fund and Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network will attend selected stops.
Memberships to the Reds Heads Kids Club, Reds Rookies Baby Club and Reds Hall of Fame & Museum will be for sale at selected stops.
On Sunday, Jan. 26, the Reds will host the annual Select-A-Seat event at Great American Ball Park. Fans can meet with Reds ticket representatives from 9 am to 3 pm to choose their season tickets for 2014. Select members of the Reds Caravan will conduct a Q&A at Noon. Fans who purchase season tickets will have a chance to meet members of the Reds Caravan and receive a signed baseball.
The Reds Caravan will visit over 20 of the Reds on Radio affiliates throughout Reds Country during the trip.
Additional players may be added to select tours in the coming weeks. Visit reds.com/caravan for up-to-date information, maps and photos.
