Thursday, February 24, 2000
Reds execs reach out with tickets
BY KEVIN ALDRIDGE
The Cincinnati Enquirer
Reds representatives will meet with fans in Bond Hill today to help cut through the red tape, ticket lines and busy signals that have made tickets hard to get since the team acquired Ken Griffey Jr.
“A lot of people are complaining they can't get through to the Reds' ticket office,” said Steven Reece Jr., owner of Communiplex Promotional Agency and Reece & Reece Executive Suites. “... I figured if the community couldn't get to the tickets, I'd bring the tickets to the community.”
Reds officials will meet with fans from 5:30 to 7 p.m. at Integrity Hall, 2081 Seymour Ave., to provide information about tickets, and sell them as well, Mr. Reece said.
Mr. Reece said Reds Chief Operat ing Officer John Allen and Brad Blettner, director of group sales, will discuss ticket availability and provide information about group sales and discount opportunities for birthdays, church groups and other community organizations. Tickets can be ordered on the spot, Mr. Reece said.
“We are cutting through the middle man,” he said. '
Neither Mr. Allen nor Mr. Blettner could be reached for comment Wednesday.
Reds ticket sales have soared since the Griffey trade was announced Feb. 10. The team has not announced sales figures, but Opening Day has been sold out for months. Tickets were said to be selling briskly for series with the Cubs, Cardinals and Indians.
All of this has driven up demand — and scalpers' prices.
“Stars like Griffey and Barry Lar kin are good role models because our youths can identify with them and they offer some very positive images,” Mr. Reece said.
While today's session is open to everyone, Mr. Reece said it is aimed particularly at disadvantaged youth.
“We want to make sure that our inner-city youths have the opportunity to see these great players in person and not just as a spectator through television only,” he said.
Linda and Preston Wilson coach Covington PAL, a youth baseball team in Covington. They said it's tradition for them to take their team to at least one Reds game each year.
“If we can get tickets, we'd like to take them again this year,” Mrs. Wilson said. “We'll probably go (to the meeting) and see what they have to say.”
The event is free to the public. For more information: 731-6307.
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