Reds Caravan rolls into Williamstown

The Williamstown High School gym echoed with excited shrieks and piercing screams Friday, Jan. 26.

Elementary students, most wearing Reds’ gear with with their faces painted, waved and cheered at Cincinnati Reds baseball team mascot Rosie Red and a half dozen players and management personnel. The visit was part of the annual week-long Reds Caravan tour.

Five groups of former and current players, management, broadcasters and mascots fanned out through Reds country, making stops at schools, restaurants, malls and other venues in four states.

Williamstown was visited by the South Tour, which included Reds COO Phil Castelini, General Manager Brad Meador, former relief pitcher Ron “The True Creature” Robinson, right-handed relief pitcher Buck Farmer, second base prospect Carlos Jorge, shortstop prospect Sammy Stafura and Reds radio and TV broadcaster Jim Day.

Upon entering the gym, members of the caravan took seats at a long table decorated with a Reds baseball tablecloth.

Day emceed a 45-minute long question and answer session. Most questions had been prepared by students ahead of time.

Right off the bat, one student wanted to know “What is your favorite snack to eat before games?”

The younger players answered with Uncrustables, Nutella and peanut butter. Robinson, who played decades ago and could remember going to see legendary Willie Mays play, answered humorously, “They had a few snacks back then ... probably a candy bar, like a Twix.”

They fielded questions about the best thing they liked about playing ball, their favorite teacher, their best friend and other jobs they’d had.

One person asked, “Which animal do you think would be the best at baseball?” Stafura answered: a panda at shortstop.

Towards the end of the visit, students were allowed to ask impromptu questions.

“What’s your favorite team?” got a good laugh.

After the Q & A session, all the Reds representatives tossed balls into the stands and then hung around to sign autographs and chat with students and faculty.

After leaving Williamstown, the Reds Caravan moved on to the next stop: Angilo’s Pizza in Cynthiana.