Staff Report

CINCINNATI — The 2011 Reds Caravan, presented by CincinnatiUSA.com, kicks off Thursday, Jan. 27 and is scheduled to make 15 fan stops in four states covering more than 2,600 miles over four days.

The very popular Reds Caravan consists of three separate tours traveling simultaneously through Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and West Virginia and provides fans with the opportunity to interact with current and former players, broadcasters and members of the Reds front office staff.

At each stop, the group will field questions from fans and sign autographs. Due to time constraints, autograph sessions may not be able to satisfy all fans in attendance.

For the second year in a row, the Caravan will stop at Great American Ball Park in conjunction with the annual “Select-A-Seat” event for prospective Season Ticket Holders.

New for 2011: stops in Hamilton, Ohio at the Parrish Auditorium on the campus of Miami University Hamilton and in Bowling Green, Ky at the Greenwood Mall.

All stops open to the public are free, and at each stop the Reds will raffle off two tickets to the 2011 Opening Day game against the Milwaukee Brewers on March 31.

Reds sales representatives will be at each stop to answer ticketing questions, while the Reds Hall of Fame, the Reds Community Fund and Cincinnati USA Regional Tourism Network will attend selected stops.

The Southern Tour stops in West Virginia, Kentucky and Ohio and features broadcaster Jim Kelch, President of Baseball Operations and General Manager Walt Jocketty, outfielders Jay Bruce (Saturday and Sunday only) and Drew Stubbs (Thursday), Chief Operating Officer Phil Castellini, 2010 first round draft pick Yasmani Grandal, “Mr. Perfect” Tom Browning and mascot Mr. Redlegs. Legendary Reds scout Gene Bennett will attend the Ashland stop.

The Caravan will also visit Dayton to promote the Reds Community Fund’s youth baseball initiatives and a field dedication ceremony is planned for the soon-to-be announced winner of the RCF’s “Home Field Makeover” contest.

The Western Tour stops in Kentucky, Indiana and Ohio and features Hall of Fame broadcaster Marty Brennaman, All-Star second baseman Brandon Phillips, Reds Minor League Player of the Year Devin Mesoraco, Reds Vice President and Assistant General Manager Bob Miller, Reds Hall of Famer Lee May (Thursday and Friday) and mascot Gapper. Pitcher Matt Maloney will join the tour at the Louisville stop.

The Northern Tour stops in Ohio and West Virginia and features broadcaster Jeff Brantley, Manager Dusty Baker, pitcher Travis Wood (Thursday and Friday), pitcher Homer Bailey (Saturday and Sunday), broadcaster Chris Welsh, minor leaguer Todd Frazier and mascot Rosie Red.