Managing Executive John Allen is just a fan
this weekend when the Reds play Atlanta at Turner Field, where he plans to wander through the stands to survey fans about their new ballpark.
Allen is compiling a wish list for the Reds' new ballpark, even though the club and Hamilton County haven't met in nearly two months in their effort to secure a stadium deal.
Near the top of Allen's wishes is an entertainment area like the Braves have beyond the outfield fence.
"They're very proud of that area, and it's something we'd like to have," Allen said. "The idea of a complex that's in the ballpark provding pregame and postgame entertainment. And it caters to families. They've got batting cages where you can hit against Randy Johnson throwing 98 miles per hour, and a Little League cage."
Another Turner feature Allen would like to see in the Reds' park is angled seats pointing to home plate. He's also checking out the glitches, such as reports of glare off the glass of stadium boxes.
Another face-to-face stadium negotiating session with all the principles won't occur with Hamilton County until after Labor Day, when Allen returns from Atlanta.
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