The Reds are "making some big changes to Great American Ball Park this winter to get the place ready" to host the '15 MLB All-Star Game, according to Steve Watkins of the CINCINNATI BUSINESS COURIER. The Reds are "completely revamping the Riverfront Club on the upper level down the first-base line." They will be "tearing down the glass windows to make it an open-air space facing the field," which should contain 60-80 seats. The team is "naming the new space the Handlebar at the Riverfront Club." But Reds VP/Corporate Sales Bill Reinberger said that the team is "trying to sell a naming rights sponsorship deal" for the club. Watkins noted the Riverfront Club will include 100-150 "general admission tickets that give fans access to the club space in the Handlebar." The space "had been available for fans with tickets to make reservations and dine in a closed-in area with views of the field, but the glass windows made it difficult to hear the sounds of the ballpark." The change "not only opens that up, it also opens up some revenue opportunities for about 200 more people to buy tickets for the club area." Reds Senior Dir of Ticket Sales & Service Mark Schueler said that the team has not yet "set ticket prices for the Handlebar." But he added that the club will be "priced between the neighboring Champions Club's $85 to $115 general per-seat range and the Diamond Club, which often runs from $260 to $300 per game for seats right behind home plate at an all-inclusive price including food and beverage." Schueler "expects a season-ticket bump of about" 10% this year to a full-season equivalent of about 15,000-15,500. Fans "buying full- or half-season ticket packages also will be guaranteed the chance to buy All-Star Game tickets" (BIZJOURNALS.com, 11/24).
