Wednesday, November 18, 1998

BY JOHN ERARDI
The Cincinnati Enquirer

Included within the Reds proposed ballpark on the river would be an interactive museum that attracts people of all ages, especially children, Managing Executive John Allen said.

"It needs to be educational at the kids' level," he said. "You want to get the kids interested (in baseball) and teach them the history" of the Reds.

Mr. Allen envisions displays that are changed periodically to keep the attraction fresh.

He foresees a major emphasis on the Big Red Machine. The 1970s were the Reds' most glorious era - with players Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan and Tony Perez - and the team is widely regarded as one of the best in history.

Among things Mr. Allen liked best at the Atlanta Braves' baseball museum at Turner Field was an exhibit that shows the first scout's handwritten assessment of such future Braves stars as Dale Murphy, and a restored railroad car in which the Milwaukee Braves players traveled.

The Braves' museum and retail area is known as "Scout's Alley." It was designed by Jack Rouse Associates of Cincinnati. Rouse also is doing jobs for the Indiana Pacers' new arena, Daytona Speedway and Rupp Arena at the University of Kentucky.

Scout's Alley "has become almost its own stand-alone attraction," said Randy Smith, Rouse's director of planning and design.

Scout's Alley, besides housing a museum, includes a food court, batting cages and other attractions.

"It's a nice mix of elements," Mr. Smith said. "It gives people something to do before and after the game, and it's directly related to the ballpark experience. It's not just some guy hawking peanuts." He said the Turner Field experience "gets into as wide of a range of an audience as we can pull off.

"You don't want to narrowly focus on any of these things," he said. "In baseball, there's a wide audience you're catering to."

The Pacers, too, are very concerned their new arena be more than just a place to come to watch an NBA game, he said.

"Any ball club building a new facility should be doing the same thing," Mr. Smith said. "You can only sell so many hot dogs and soft drinks."

He envisions the Reds museum not only having a good selection of significant historical items tied to Cincinnati being the "home of professional baseball," but also interactive play stations on the science of baseball.

The technology exists to allow fans to step into the batter's box against a Randy Johnson fastball or match one's speed on the base paths against Barry Larkin.

Mr. Smith said the presence of a baseball museum on the riverfront, along with the National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, retail areas and the attractions that are part of Paul Brown Stadium create a strong year-round pull.

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