Cincinnati Reds Should Give Rain Checks For Extended Delays

Apr 2, 2014; Cincinnati, OH, USA; A general view of the tarp covering the field during a rain delay prior to the game between the Cincinnati Reds and the St. Louis Cardinals at Great American Ball Park. Mandatory Credit: Frank Victores-USA TODAY Sports

Another day, another rain delay for the Cincinnati Reds and the thousands of fans that made the trek down to GABP.

While rain delays are an act of nature, you cannot predict how long they will last, are one of the most annoy things during your trip to the ballpark. A rain delay is tiring, annoying and a pain, especially if it comes during a night game. Today’s game was delayed over three hours, like Wednesday nights game anything over 2.5 hours is insane, some people can’t stay that long.

The Reds do not hand out rain checks for games that are delayed hours on end. Instead you have to wait out the delay, or once the game is called you finally get a rain check.

"In the event a regulation game is not played on this date, this rain check may be exchanged, subject to availability, at the box office for a ticket of the same or lower price for any subsequent regular game during this season. Any such exchange must be made at the box office. A rain check of a complimentary ($0.00) ticket is NOT a valid rain check."

That is what the back of your ticket to any Reds game says. In there, there is no mention that in the event of a long pre game rain delay. It is time for the Reds to revisit this policy.

Having stood around Wednesday night for 2.5 hours waiting for the rain to stop part of me wanted to stay, the other part was ready to call it a night, I was wet, a little cold and tired of standing in a packed concourse. In fact I was at the gate when Joey Votto ran on the field last night around 9:30 to show everyone baseball would happen soon.

For a family that went to the game and left they essentially paid to stand around and watch it rain for 2 hours. Kids have to go to school the next day, you cannot expect people to stick around while you make up your mind to play or not.

What the Reds need to do is after a game is delayed 1.5 hours before the first pitch they should allow fans to exchange their tickets for a future game. Meaning go to the ticket office on your way out and exchange the tickets. It would be a pain but at least you as a fan wouldn’t have wasted $80-$300 on tickets for your family.

It is not the Reds fault these delays happen. They are pushed up against a tight schedule with not much room for makeup games. There has to be some compromise though.