Here are a few highlights from the Reds, White and Blue Weekend. Great tickets still available...

Thursday, July 3 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals, 7:10 p.m.
• Fireworks: Post-game fireworks show with soundtrack starting approximately 15 minutes after the end of the game presented by Rozzi's Famous Fireworks.

Friday, July 4 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals, 1:15 p.m.
• Free Military Ticket: All active duty military members can get a complimentary ticket for the July 4th game. Tickets can be picked up at the Great American Ball Park ticket windows with military identification. Premium areas and bleachers excluded. Additional tickets for family members can be purchased in the same seating areas at half-price.
• Reds, White and Blue Weekend: Many of the game ceremonies on July 4th will include members of the military and Veterans, including the first pitch, honor guard, National Anthem and honorary captain. Four F-18's will perform a fly over. 
• "Stars and Stripes" Caps: All MLB teams playing on July 4th will be wearing blue "Stars & Stripes" caps. The caps are part of series of national fundraising and awareness initiatives over the July 4th weekend for WelcomeBackVeterans.org
• Reds Family Game: Come early to see Reds players and families participate in the annual Reds Family Game. Starting at 11:30 a.m., watch the children of Reds players hit and run on the field. Gates open at 11:15 a.m. (No batting practice on Friday.)

Saturday, July 5 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals, 7:10 p.m.
• Reds, White and Blue Weekend: Reds players will be wearing camouflage jerseys for the July 5th and 6th games.
• Adult Camo Jersey Promotion: First 20,000 fans ages 15 and older will receive a free Ken Griffey Jr. Camo Mesh Jersey, presented by the U.S. Army.
• DHL Equipment Drive: Reds fans can donate new or gently used baseball equipment at Saturday's game. Collection bins will be located at the Mobile Ticket gate on Crosley Terrace. Fans that make a donation will receive a complimentary ticket to an upcoming Reds game. All equipment will be donated to the Yellow Ribbon Support Center. The DHL Equipment Drive is organized by the Reds Community Fund in partnership with MLB's Baseball Tomorrow Fund.
• 2nd Annual Bob Sumerel High School Baseball Coach of the Year Award: During pregame ceremonies, Bill Dreisbach from Lakota West High School will be presented with the 2008 Bob Sumerel Coach of the Year Award. The award recognizes area high school coaches who excel both on the field and in the community. Six finalists will also be recognized: Dave Bader (Harrison High School), Tim Held (Moeller High School), Rick Kunkel (Hamilton-Badin High School), Bill Krumpelbeck (Covington Catholic High School), Jeff Schulken (Newport Central Catholic High School) and Brian Lyons (Batavia High School).

Sunday, July 6 - Cincinnati Reds vs. Washington Nationals, 1:15 p.m.
• Reds, White and Blue Weekend: Reds players will be wearing camouflage jerseys for the July 5th and 6th games.
• Youth Camo Jersey Promotion: First 10,000 fans ages 14 and younger will receive a Ken Griffey Jr. Camo Mesh Jersey, presented by BAE Systems.
• First Pitch: 8-year-old Adam Bender will throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Adam lost his left leg to cancer when he was 1, and he's a Little League catcher from Lexington, Ky. (Adam and his family will meet with the media on the field from 12:30 to 1 pm.)
• Run the Bases Day: Led by Adam Bender, fans can line up after the game to run the bases. Open to fans of all ages.

On June 12, 2008, Cincinnati Reds players Aaron Harang, Bill Bray, Ryan Freel and Jerry Hairston Jr. went shopping at Dick's Sporting Goods in Mason with kids from the Reds Community Fund's Reds Rookie Success League. Over 30 children spent up to $200 on merchandise. $100 was donated by Dick's and $100 was matched by the Reds player. 

On Monday, June 23, Louisville Bats players Michael Griffin, Adam Pettyjohn and Josh Roenicke visited the Reds Rookie Success League at Wyandotte Park in Louisville, KY.

  Approximately 400 Louisville-area children ages 6-12 are getting a first-hand introduction to the game of baseball this summer through the Reds Rookie Success League, which is a free, noncompetitive, coed, character-building program. The league, in its inaugural season in the Louisville area, is one portion of a significant investment made by the Reds and the Reds Community Fund in the city of Louisville.

The Reds Community Fund donated money to renovate the baseball diamonds at Wyandotte Park, where the Reds Rookie Success League is held. The renovation to the ballfields and the new youth league represent a two-year, $150,000 investment by the Reds, whose Triple-A affiliate, the Bats, is located in Louisville.

The league that is currently practicing and playing games at Wyandotte Park is made up of Metro Parks summer campers, and is the first Rookie Success League outside of the state of Ohio.

"We would like to thank the Cincinnati Reds for their outstanding contributions to our children and the City of Louisville," Metro Parks Director Mike Heitz said. "They are a terrific partner and we appreciate the improvements they have made in our community."

In addition to teaching campers fundamental skills and lessons about the game of baseball, a component of the Rookie Success League emphasizes character-building under the "CI REDS" acronym - Cooperation, Integrity, Respect, Determination and Spirit. Children also receive an initial health screening as well as dental and vision exams. Following completion of the league, a celebration for campers takes place at Great American Ball Park later in the summer, where children are treated to a free game and a meal.

"The children have really enjoyed the Rookie Success League, and we hope to continue this important partnership with the Reds," Heitz said. "The kids have really responded to the positive opportunities the league has presented them."

The Reds Community Fund announced that the "Jones Fish Hatcheries Redlegs Run for Home 5K" held on Saturday, June 7 generated $98,000 in charitable proceeds. Over 2,400 runners and walkers participated in the seventh annual race.

  
The top male finisher was Greaham Niemer, age 24, of Ft. Thomas, KY, with a time of 15:33. Scott Mindel, 21, of Cincinnati finished second, and Mike Greiwe, 29, of Cincinnati finished third. Brian List, 25, of Milford finished fourth and Kyle Dragan, 22, of Cincinnati finished fifth.

The top female finisher was Carrie Birth, age 26, with a time of 18:52. Maria Doerger, 21, of Cincinnati finished second and Shellie Hegeman, 31, of Cincinnati finished third. Marie Glahn, 27, of Orem, Utah finished fourth and Lyndsey Blair, 25, of Amelia finished fifth.

The top corporate challenge men's group "UC 2352" consisted of Scott Mindel, Kyle Dragan, Evan Dehart and Brad Babiak. The top women's group "Towers Perrin 2" consisted of Sue Guzior, Leslie Stephenson, Katie Knost and Joni Bierwirth. The top coed group "Jones Fish #1" consisted of Jesse Putnam, Robert Jones, Lyndsey Blair and Nick Boeckman. 

Complete race results can be found at www.reds.com/5K.

"This was the largest turnout for the race since it moved to Great American Ball Park," said Charley Frank, executive director of the Reds Community Fund. "The proceeds of the race go directly to the Reds Community Fund's youth-outreach baseball programs throughout Greater Cincinnati and Reds Country."

All participants received a race T-shirt, gift bag and a ticket for the June 11 Reds vs. Cardinals game.

Jones Fish Hatcheries was the title sponsor of the event. Fleet Feet Sports, WLWT-TV 5, Kiss 107.1 and 700WLW were the presenting sponsors.

All proceeds from the race will benefit the Reds Community Fund and its baseball-themed outreach programs that include the Reds Rookie Success League, youth baseball funding and field renovations.