A group of people waited in the rain on the plaza level of Cinergy Field for Reds final game tickets that went on sale Saturday morning at 9 a.m. (Brandi Stafford photo) | ZOOM |

        Talk about a hot streak.

        On a brisk morning, tickets for the Cincinnati Reds' last regular season game at Cinergy Field — Sept. 22 against Philadelphia — sold out in 40 minutes Saturday, a rate of nearly 500 tickets per minute.

        Before long, tickets for the Sept. 21 game were gone, said Mike Vassallo, a Reds spokesman. Late Saturday, an undetermined number of tickets remained for the Sept. 20 game.

        While tickets could be purchased through the Reds' Web site and locations across the Tristate, the plaza level at Cinergy Field was where the action hit early.

        By first light, in fact, most of the fans' tents had been collapsed and stored away, lawn chairs folded, sleeping bags stuffed into back packs.

        Mike Kell of Covington had been on the plaza level of Cinergy Field since 2:30 p.m. Friday. He wore insulated overalls over his street clothes. He was first in line at windows that started selling tickets at 9 a.m.

        “You just gotta be there,” he said as he waited for the ticket window to open.

        A sell-out at Cinergy — the former Riverfront Stadium — is 40,007. Mr. Vassallo said about 20,000 tickets were available for each game, after figuring in season ticket sales.

        “This is once in a lifetime,” said Dennis Duffy Sr., who drove from Lawrenceburg and waited in line behind Mr. Kell. Mr. Duffy, who also arrived Friday afternoon, camped out overnight and wore long underwear, thermal socks, sweatshirt, T-shirt and overcoat.

        They were among hundreds who lined up at 16 ticket windows at Cinergy — eight devoted just to final-game sales. Many had spent the night camped out on the plaza, with many more arriving before dawn Saturday.

        Tickets went from $9 to $32, a $3 bump.

        Those who stayed overnight endured rain and cold — “Urban camping,” said Mr. Kell — but even in the chill of the morning, they said it was worth it.

        Although he has never been to a Reds game, James Lindsay of Hamilton was first in line at one of the final game windows. He paid $114 for six green seat tickets. (Final-game tickets were limited to six per person.)

        “I'm more of a football fan,” he said. “I just wanted to go before they tear it down.”

        Gerald Couch of Hartwell, on the other hand, is a dedicated Reds fan, having been to 16 straight Opening Day games. He spent the night, and shortly after the windows opened, he had his six tickets.

        Christina Evans of Seaman in Adams County spent the night, hoping for blue seats. She ended up with red seats.

        But that was before Jeff Tietsort of West Chester, who had also camped out and was ahead of her in line, turned and exchanged a couple of his blue-seat tickets for her red seats.

        Ms. Evans broke into tears.

        “This is real sentimental for me,” she said. “I've been here since 1 p.m. (Friday). I used to go to Crosley (Field) with my parents.”

        Rob Cain of Glendale was also sentimental.

        “It's the only stadium I've ever known,” he said. “So there's some nostalgia. Personally, I hate to see it go.”

        Charles Russ of Norwood stood in line with his son, John, 14.

        “For me, it's the end of an era,” Mr. Russ said.

        He pointed to his son. “For him, it gives him something to pass on to his kids. He'll tell them about it.”

        To order Reds tickets, go online www.cincinnatireds.com or call (513) 381-REDS or (877) 647-REDS.

       Enquirer reporter Randy McNutt contributed.
       

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Saturday's results

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