EDINBURGH — Baseball season is still a few weeks away, but the Cincinnati Reds are doing their best to get their fans in the mood early.
A group of team representatives including third baseman Eugenio Suárez, pitcher Tanner Roark, touted minor league catcher Tyler Stephenson and mascot Rosie Red came to East Side Elementary School in Edinburgh on Thursday for a pep rally and a student question-and-answer session.
Some students were also selected to attend a private autograph session before the rally.
Broadcasters Jeff Brantley and Jim Day were also part of the group that visited, along with Reds president of baseball operations Dick Williams.
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The Reds Caravan is an annual offseason event featuring four separate groups that cover five states — Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Tennessee and West Virginia. Each touring group makes five public appearances and a handful of media stops in addition to its school visits, which are not open to the general public.
To be chosen as a caravan stop, schools (or individuals from a school) will write letters or essays explaining why the Reds should visit them. Winners are selected based on their explanations, as well as which locations fit best with the caravan route.
Suárez, a National League All-Star last season, seemed to enjoy his stop in Edinburgh.
“This is unbelievable,” he said after the pep rally. “This is my first time doing this, and I feel great to be part of this. Answering questions from the kids at these schools, it’s awesome for me. I feel great after doing this, and now let’s go to do another one.”
All four Reds caravan groups will come together from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. today at the Florence Mall in Florence, Kentucky.
