Tri-State Reds fans and local vendors also enjoying team's winning ways

CINCINNATI - So far 2012 is turning out to be a very good year for the Cincinnati Reds, their fans and the small Tri-State vendors who depend on them.

The Reds are a winning team, at or usually near the top of their division, and more people are turning out to see them play. Since the Memorial Day weekend, ticket sales have average as much as 4,000 additional sales at each home game. Fans and vendors are noticing a difference.

When the Reds play at Great American Ball Park, Tom Brinkman can often be seen around the corner of Main and Second streets, surrounded by coolers of bottled water and boxes of $1 peanuts. He says he's seeing more thirsty and hungry fans strolling by him, headed for the ball park.

"As long as the crowd is here, everyone comes out and everyone wants peanuts and water before the game," said Brinkman.

Those fans include the Keller family of Amberley Village, who says they are coming to Great American Ball Park more often this year because they want to see a winning team.

"We absolutely do. We get Reds Fever and it's hard not come come and watch them play. Everybody [in our group] has Votto jersey on tonight. It's just exciting," said Theresa Keller, who saw Tuesday's game with her three sons, Luke, Jonas and Dominic.

Keller said her children want to see their favorite players close up.

It's not just star Reds players that are bringing in more ticket sales and more merchandise sales around the park. Some vendors are finding more out-of-town baseball fans are following their favorite teams to Cincinnati and they are bringing the money along with them.

That is especially true for vendors who sell hats and other apparel with logos from visiting teams. They report visiting team merchandise is selling through the roof.

Brinkman and many fans have high hopes the Reds will continue their winning ways throughout the summer and into the fall.