CINCINNATI – Friday, July 27th marks the Cincinnati Steam’s last home game of the regular season and fan appreciation night. The event will be sponsored by Beacon Orthopaedics. The Steam has planned a full program to celebrate another successful season and recognize their final year players.
The Steam has partnered with Honor Flight Tri-State in a fund-raising event for the game. Honor Flight is a charitable organization dedicated to recognizing World War II and Korean War veterans with a tour of honor, chartering flights to take veterans to the war memorials in Washington D.C. Honor Flight Tri-State flew 364 veterans in 2011; the organization hopes to increase this number to 400 by the end of 2012.
The Cincinnati Steam will pay special tribute to war veterans beginning with a helicopter dropping the game ball in centerfield. A veteran will sing the National Anthem and throw out the ceremonial first pitch with Dr. Burger of Beacon Orthopaedics. A color guard will also present the flag.
Also before the game the Steam will recognize the eight players, and their families, whose summer eligibility will expire at the conclusion of the season. This group is headed by left handed pitcher Ryan Martin (Michigan State/Turpin) who is the first Steam player to have played four seasons with the team.
Various give-aways and promotions will also occur throughout the course of the evening, including a special appearance by Reds mascot Gapper. Prior to the festivities, the Steam will join the Hamilton County Special Olympians in a softball game.
The Steam will battle their rival, the Hamilton Joes, at Western Hills High School. The game is scheduled to begin at 7:05 P.M.