CINCINNATI —

The Cincinnati Reds showed support for a 10-year-old girl with terminal cancer by inviting her to throw out the ceremonial first pitch before Sunday's game.

Ten-year-old Aralyn Slack was diagnosed with an inoperable brain tumor last month and was given just 10 months to live.

Aralyn, who plays softball, has created a bucket list of things she wants to do over the next year, and many community members and businesses have stepped up to help her cross things off her list.

"People have been amazing. She had a bucket list. One checked off," Aralyn's dad said.

Slack has DIPG, the same kind of brain tumor basketball player Lauren Hill was diagnosed with eight years ago.

Doctors say Slack has less than a year to live.

Earlier this month, WLWT, a Hearst sister station, spoke with some of Slack's softball coaches and teammates, who have been doing whatever they could to support their friend.

“She is the kindest person I know and the greatest friend,” said her teammate Livy Waits. “She's a goofball.”

The team was determined to make their home opener, and Slack’s last game before treatment, one to remember.

“We’re going to treat it as a varsity game,” Waits said.

The game was originally supposed to be played on the road, an hour away in New Richmond, Ohio. But Waits asked if the opposing team would mind if they played at home.

“I can't explain how important it is for us adults to put on the show for her and allow her to experience everything that she can get out of it,” Waits said.

“To me, it's not about the game,” said Michael Trummer, head coach of 9U Felicity Diamond Does. “It's about this little girl having the time of her life.”

CINCINNATI — As COVID-19 recedes and most health orders have lifted in Ohio, the Cincinnati Reds had planned to welcome baseball fans back to Great American Ball Park with Reds "Re-Opening Day" Wednesday.

But Mother Nature had other plans: The day's inclement weather forecast caused the team to postpone Wednesday's game against the Philadelphia Phillies.

Re-Opening Day against Philadelphia was rescheduled for June 28. The team's next game will be on the road in St. Louis Thursday.

While Opening Day in April drew crowds to the new DORA at The Banks, Re-Opening Day hoped to draw more people to the ballpark as capacity limits and social distancing requirements are lifted. There's also no mask requirement inside the stadium, but they are recommended.

Reds president and COO Phil Castellini said he wants people to support the team, but he also wants people to support businesses at The Banks which took a hard hit over the past year. He hopes this re-opening supports more than just baseball.

"This is about celebrating the reopening of our state, us getting control of our lives back," Castellini said. "I am ready and I hope you are as well. So thank everybody that has helped us get here as a state, let's keep it up, let's keep going, let's stay safe and let's put this thing in the rear view."

The game against the Philadelphia Phillies was scheduled to start at 12:35 p.m., and the city of Cincinnati declared today a "half-day holiday" so fans could support the Reds and local businesses.

Fans who decide to spend the afternoon Downtown or at The Banks despite the postponement should be aware Cincinnati police will be testing their SpotShotter technology using controlled, live gunfire later in the afternoon or early evening.

CINCINNATI — City leaders and organizers announced celebrations Thursday for what's being called Reds "Re-Opening" Day.

Re-Opening Day is set for Wednesday, June 2 as the Cincinnati Reds take on the Philadelphia Phillies at 12:35 p.m., when capacity limits will be fully lifted at Great American Ball Park.

The decision to expand capacity came after Ohio Gov. Mike DeWine set mandatory health orders to expire on June 2.

Masks inside the ballpark are still recommended, not required. The Reds will continue to offer a $10 ticket deal for those who are vaccinated on Monday-Thursday games through the end of the season.

Here's what you need to know about Re-Opening Day festivities:

• 3CDC will host a party on Fountain Square featuring bars and a live stream of the game on the big screen atop the Foundry Building.
• Bally Sports Ohio and the Reds are giving fans a special $5 ticket offer for Re-Opening Day. Fans can buy $5 View Level tickets now through Monday night at reds.com/Bally.
• The DORA District at the Banks will open at 11 a.m., and bars and restaurants throughout downtown will be encouraged to be open with “Re-Opening Day” specials and activities.
• The Cincinnati USA Regional Chamber, Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky African American Chamber and Cincinnati Convention and Visitors Bureau are offering a special discount on tickets to their members, with details to be delivered directly to members today.
• The Convention Center, Tyler Davidson Fountain, Fifth Third Building and other buildings throughout the city will be lit up in red to support the team on Tuesday and Wednesday.

Mayor John Cranley and Hamilton County Commission President Stephanie Summerow Dumas proclaimed via ceremonial resolution that June 2 is a “half-day holiday." Both encouraged everyone to come to the Reds game and visit the designated outdoor refreshment area (DORA) District at the Banks.

Cincinnati Bell CEO Leigh Fox announced Thursday that the company is also giving employees a half-day and urging them to come downtown to go to the game or support small businesses. FC Cincinnati President Jeff Berding said the light fins at TQL Stadium will be illuminated in red on Tuesday and Wednesday to celebrate Re-Opening Day.

And of course, everyone in the region is encouraged to wear red on Wednesday to support Re-Opening Day.

One thing that will be missing this year is Findlay Market's Opening Day Parade. Parade Committee member Jeff Gladish says while most organizers would love to participate in a parade, there was just too little notice this time around. It usually takes five months to plan the parade, and he said one week to organize floats and participants just wasn't feasible.

The Opening Day parade next year is going to be much, much bigger than ever before, he said.