By 12:30 p.m. Thursday an estimated 3,000 people had signed a steel beam that will be part of the Great American Ball Park.

Sixth-graders from St. John the Evangelist School take their turn at the beam: Ellie Streng (left), Brittany Herthel and Cymone Langenkamp. (Glenn Hartong photo) | ZOOM |

        The 6,000-pound canopy beam — the final one to be installed at the new ballpark — was placed on the Cinergy Field Plaza where fans going to watch the first-place Reds play the Marlins could add their names and thoughts.

        Some of them came from Dayton, Louisville, even Phoenix; but many more hailed from Tristate neighborhoods. Alongside their names they wrote expressions of love and enthusiasm for the Reds.

        The Hamilton County commissioners decided earlier in the week to have the signing to publicize progress on the Great American Ball Park, slated to be opened for tours by March. This is the last season the Reds are to play at Cinergy Field.

        “It's a good opportunity for people to touch and feel what will be a landmark and to put their mark on it,” said project spokeswoman Debra DeCourcy.

        “We were in the heyday of the Big Red Machine,” said Paul Gilman, 42, of White Oak. “I'm signed 'cause I'm a Reds fan.”

        Ms. DeCourcy estimated that 5,000-6,000 names would cover the beam before it was packed up at 6 p.m.

        Fans shouldn't look for the signatures when the ball park is complete. Not only will the beam be too high up to see, but it may be painted over, said Eric Stuckey, an assistant administrator for the county.

        Painted over?

        It's “unresolved,” said Mr. Stuckey.

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