CINCINNATI — Reds Opening Day is a special time for fans in Cincinnati. Fans this year were allowed to attend at up to 30% capacity — and for some, the trip to Great American Ball Park has special meaning.
That’s especially true for Elbert Castle and his good friend, Paul Short. They’ve been coming to Reds opening day for years — for Castle this trip makes 30 years in a row.
“It means the start of summer, new life,” Castle said. “I’m so excited about the start of baseball season. I’ve been a huge baseball fan. And it means the Reds are going to win the World Championship.”
Castle, a Warsaw, Indiana native said he received the COVID-19 vaccine just one day ago, which helps put his mind to ease that it’s okay to return to the ball park — something that brings back great memories.
“Memories of family coming to the Reds,” he said. “Just seeing the players and enjoying the players themselves and maybe getting to interact with some of them.”
For Short, a fellow lifelong Reds fan and Franklin resident, it’s a chance to watch the sport he loves, which reminds him of his family.
“My dad, he loved baseball,” Short said. “I had five brothers and we all played baseball. We’ve been baseball fans all our life.”
They say neither the cold nor COVID-19 was going to stop them from being here.
“It’s great that I can be here,” Short said. “I mean I hope how soon we can get rid of this COVID so we all can come back.”
The Reds hosted fans at 30 percent capacity, around 12,000 people, for what was the coldest Opening Day in Reds history at 37 degrees.
The Reds lost to the St. Louis Cardinals, 11-6.
