Fox Sports Ohio has announced their television plans for Spring Training, and it includes more than in 2010.

As the Cincinnati Reds enter their second Spring Training at Goodyear Ballpark in Goodyear, Arizona, FOX Sports Ohio invites fans to join us on a “March to Opening Day” by televising four (4) Reds Spring Training games this preseason, beginning with March 7th when the Reds take on the Milwaukee Brewers at 3pm EST in Goodyear. A complete Spring Training TV schedule is below.

Several members of the FOX Sports Ohio’s Reds broadcast team will play a role throughout the network’s television coverage of Reds Spring Training. Thom Brennaman will split play by play duties with Jim Kelch, each calling two games. Color analyst Chris Welsh will call three games while Jeff Brantley will do one game. Jeff Piecoro and Jim Day will also share the role of sideline reporter.
For the March 7th game, FOX Sports Ohio will share the game telecast with the Brewers’ TV home FOX Sports North. During the game, Brennaman and Welsh will share the booth with FOX Sports North’s announcers.

And here’s the schedule.

Less than a month to go before new Cincinnati Reds games will be available. I can’t wait!

I missed this press release from a few days ago, but it looks like the Cincinnati Reds are planning on some kind of entertainment extravaganza on Sunday, April 3, shortly after the 2011 season starts. Details are sparse. Who knows if we’ll get to see Joey Votto performing Shakespeare or not.

Join the entire 2011 Cincinnati Reds roster, along with coaches and broadcasters for REDS UN-CUT: Live at the Aronoff Center delivered by DHL, a casual evening of fun and entertainment at the Aronoff Center for the Arts in downtown Cincinnati on Sunday, April 3, 2011.

The program will feature player interviews, game show elements and other surprises in a theater-style show. Plus, you might even become part of the show!

Doors will open at 6 p.m. for a red carpet arrival that is open to the public, with the show beginning at 7 p.m.

A pre-show reception will feature complimentary light hors d’oeuvres and a cash bar.

All ages of Reds fans are welcome to this new and unique event.

Tickets can be purchased online at www.reds.com/uncut. Plus, every ticket to this show comes with a ticket to the Opening Night game against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 2.

Though the parade of announcers that marches through and between the Reds’ radio and television booths has enough people to throw candy to each individual child of parade-going age in the greater Cincinnati area, the quality of announcing is actually pretty darn good. And today it’s made even better by those eleven little words every girl wants to hear: Paul Keels will not be returning to the Reds broadcast booth.

CINCINNATI, OHIO – While FOX Sports Ohio prepares for what will surely be another thrilling season of Cincinnati Reds baseball, the network is excited to announce its 2011 Reds broadcast team.

Thom Brennaman will return for his fifth season to serve as the main play by play voice for the majority of FOX Sports Ohio Reds telecasts.

Chris Welsh, entering his 19th season with FOX Sports Ohio, will once again be the lead color analyst for the network’s Reds telecasts. Also returning to the booth throughout the season will be color analyst Jeff Brantley (fifth season.)

FOX Sports Ohio is excited to welcome former Red Sean Casey to the broadcast team. The former Reds first baseman (1998-2005) joined the MLB Network as color commentator upon his retirement in 2009. Fans can look forward to Casey calling approximately 15 Reds games this season.

Following his first full season as play by play announcer on Reds Radio, Jim Kelch will be taking on an expanded play by play role this season for FOX Sports Ohio. Before joining the Reds Radio team in 2010, Kelch had been the play by play voice for Class AAA Louisville baseball since 1989. During the 2008 and 2009 seasons, he filled in on FOX Sports Ohio Reds telecasts. While taking on this greater TV role, he will maintain his responsibilities on radio.

Paul Keels will not be returning to the Reds broadcast booth this season due to his commitment to Ohio State athletics. FOX Sports Ohio wishes Paul all the best as he tends to his responsibilities as the main play by play voice for Ohio State basketball and football.

George Grande continues to enjoy his retirement. However, when the need arises, he has volunteered to return to the broadcast booth, and fans can expect to hear him on a select number of games.

Jim Day and Jeff Piecoro will both continue in their roles as co-hosts of Reds Live pre- and postgame shows.

Yesterday, in the excitement of the Reds winning 3 Gold Gloves, I missed this press release from the Cincinnati Reds. Redsfest will be held on December 3 – December 4, and tickets are on sale now.

Tickets for FOX Sports Ohio Redsfest are on sale now at reds.com, by phone at (513) 381-REDS, all area Meijer stores, Reds.com ticket kiosks and Great American Ball Park administrative offices.

The annual fan festival will be held at the Duke Energy Convention Center in downtown Cincinnati on Friday, December 3 from 4 to 10:30 pm and Saturday, December 4 from 11 am to 6:30 pm.

One-day tickets are $17 for adults and $7 for kids 12 and younger. Two-day tickets are $25 for adults and $12 for kids.

New for 2010: With paid admission, all fans will receive one free View Level ticket to the Friday, April 15, 2011 Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates game at Great American Ball Park. Also, the first 10,000 fans each day will receive a free drawstring backpack and Reds travel mug.

Redsfest features more than 200,000 square feet of activities, including autograph and photo booths with current and former Reds players, interactive games for fans of all ages, hard-to-find memorabilia and much more.

More than 50 current and former Reds players and coaches are expected to attend including Brandon Phillips, Joey Votto, Bronson Arroyo, Jonny Gomes, Aroldis Chapman, Dusty Baker and many more.

For more information and updated details about Redsfest, please visit reds.com/redsfest. Fans can also register on reds.com for the Redsfest VIP Sweepstakes and to bid on Autograph Fast Passes.

“Redsfest is one of the finest fan festivals in all of Major League Baseball,” said Reds President and Chief Executive Officer Bob Castellini. “It’s the best way for fans to get an up-close experience with the current Reds from the 2010 National League Central Division Champion team along with veterans from the past and the future stars of tomorrow.”

All current and former players in attendance will be introduced live on the Redsfest Main Stage on Friday at 5:30 p.m.

A special tribute to Reds manager Sparky Anderson is planned for the Main Stage and in booth #10 on the Redsfest floor.

Specific times for player appearances will be announced one hour prior to the autograph and photo sessions on the info screens on the Redsfest floor and on the Reds official Twitter page at: twitter.com/cincinnatireds.

The Redsfest Main Stage will feature popular activities such as kids-only press conferences involving players, a Reds Idol karaoke contest and the Reds Hot Stove Report with President of Baseball Operations and GM Walt Jocketty and Manager Dusty Baker.

The Cincinnati Reds Hall of Fame & Museum will again have a presence at Redsfest, including a display featuring the ’75, ’76 and ’90 World Series trophies, Reds artifacts, Reds trivia and more. Redsfest is a great opportunity to purchase a 2011 Reds Museum membership.

The annual Reds Community Fund Celebrity Poker Tournament takes place on Saturday, Dec. 4. Registration and side games begin at 3:30 p.m. with the tournament starting at 5 p.m. Sign-up today at reds.com/poker or call (513) 765-7240.

An exhibit highlighting the Reds Spring Training home in Goodyear, Arizona will return this year. Tickets for 2011 Spring Training will be on sale.

The Chipotle Wiffle® ball Tournament finals kicks off the weekend of programming on the 10,000 square foot Gorilla Glue Field of Dreams that also includes a celebrity Wiffle® ball home run contest on Friday evening.

Redsfest is the first chance to purchase a 2011 Reds Heads Kids Club membership. The $20 Reds Heads merchandise kit makes a great holiday gift for children ages 14 and younger, which includes vouchers for free Reds tickets and exclusive club gear.

Proceeds from Redsfest benefit the baseball-themed outreach programs of the non-profit Reds Community Fund.

Joey Votto has been recognized by The Sporting News, and the Vote Votto campaign wasn’t even needed. This had better be just a prelude to his MVP award after the World Series.

Cincinnati Reds 1B Joey Votto has been named to Sporting News’ National League All-Star Team in voting of his peers. He is the first Reds player named to that prestigious squad since OF Ken Griffey Jr. and IF Felipe Lopez were included in 2005.

Earlier this summer, Votto was named to his first All-Star team after receiving 13.7 million votes in the 2010 All-Star Game Final Vote. He is a leading candidate for the NL’s Most Valuable Player Award and is a finalist for the Major League Baseball Clutch Performer of the Year Award Presented by Pepsi after leading the Reds to the National League Central Division championship while ranking among the league’s Top 3 in 11 statistical categories, in the Top 5 in 15 categories and among the Top 8 in 18 categories.

Votto led the National League in on-base percentage (.424), slugging percentage (.600), hitting on the road (.349), hitting vs RHP (.347), RBI ratio (4.8ab) and OPS (1.024). In the prestigious Triple Crown categories he ranked second in hitting (.324) and third in both homers (37) and RBI (113). In 2010, he became only the fourth player in Reds history to hit at least .320 with 37 HR and 113 RBI in a season (MVP George Foster in 1977, Frank Robinson in 1961 (MVP) & 1962 and Ted Kluszewski in 1954).