By Ryan Ernst
Enquirer staff writer

Pete Rose signs autographs for fans before throwing out the ceremonial first pitch for the Florence Freedom at Champion Window Field in Florence, Ky., on Wednesday. The Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

Pete Rose visits with Florence Freedom manager Mike Easler in the dugout before the game Wednesday. The Enquirer/JEFF SWINGER

FLORENCE - A minor-league baseball team that has done little worthy of fanfare during the first month in its new stadium got a shot in the arm when the "Hit King" - and the controversy, questions and commotion that follow him - came to town.

Pete Rose threw out the first pitch Wednesday before the Florence Freedom's 16-4 loss to the Chillicothe Paints.

If the Freedom's on-field exploits haven't drawn fans - and judging from the club's 15-38 record, they haven't - Rose's appearance seemed to do the trick.

Despite the 1:05 p.m., mid-week start time, 2,854 spectators passed through the gates. The figure more than doubled the attendance for Tuesday's night game and surpassed the team's average attendance by more than 1,000.

"I think it's been an awesome day," Freedom general manager Connie Hildebrant said.

"In my opinion, Pete Rose is Mr. Cincinnati when it comes to baseball. People love him, and they came out to support him."

Before taking the field, Rose spent time in the clubhouse with his son Pete Rose Jr. and newly hired Freedom manager Mike Easler. He also addressed the team.

Outfielder Matt Singer, a former Purcell Marian and University of Cincinnati standout, said the pregame talk hit home with his teammates, many of whom are from Greater Cincinnati.

"When I was a kid, every kid in my neighborhood would squat down as far as they could to hit, because that's the way Pete Rose did it," Singer said.

"... We're all just in awe right now. We grew up idolizing him, so seeing him there in our clubhouse was really a treat."

Rose also took time in the clubhouse and on the field to address the media.

He talked about everything from his son's possible future as a manager - "I'd like to be a manager down the road; to hell with him"- to the Reds - "They're having a good year, but somebody has to get them to put the ball in play more."

And inevitably, Rose talked about his banishment from Major League Baseball, saying his agent Warren Greene is in regular contact with the commissioner's office.

"I don't want to read tomorrow that I'm going to be reinstated," he said. "All I can say is, we have dialogue with baseball. And a lot of people in the business don't believe that. I'm telling you because I have first-hand information. I know. I'm the one guy that knows.

"... I'm very optimistic."

After his on-field media session, Rose signed autographs for about 15 minutes. He then threw out the first pitch (a bit off-speed, but a strike) and retired to the dugout where he continued signing autographs for the first part of the game.

Despite the lopsided loss, fans agreed Rose's appearance brought a new excitement to Champion Window Field.

"There is a bigger crowd today than I'm used to," said William Morgan of Independence, who said he has been to six Freedom games this year. "I think there's more enthusiasm. I really believe Pete Rose is going to help the team out, as far as bringing bigger crowds."

The Freedom have suffered several public relations mishaps this season. A July 4 fireworks show was canceled after a misunderstanding with the city. Two days later, some fans complained when a bobblehead giveaway turned out to be a bobblehead lottery, accommodating about half the fans in attendance. And a month after its opening, the stadium and parking lot are still incomplete.

So the Rose appearance, scheduled before the season, couldn't have come at a better time. For similar appearances, Rose has charged fees of at least $10,000, according to Steve Wolter of Sports Investments Inc.

Hildebrant said she "hasn't seen the bill yet," but any expense was worth the end result.

"We didn't do this for financial reasons," Hildebrant said. "This is the closest Pete Rose can come to baseball in his hometown. We're just glad Pete got the chance and the fans got the chance."

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