Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy: Baseball History in Public Art
A brief exterior photography stop where the Big Red Machine, Chuck Harmon and the Reds’ next generation come together.
Can You Visit the Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy as a Tourist?
The P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy is an active youth baseball and softball training facility rather than a traditional walk-in attraction.
However, Reds fans and public-art photographers can see exterior features from public areas, including the Big Red Machine Great Eight mural and Chuck Harmon’s The Glove statue.
While driving along Seymour Avenue in Cincinnati’s Roselawn neighborhood, the bold Reds branding at the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy caught my attention.
I stopped to photograph the exterior and found more than a youth baseball facility: the grounds also preserve Cincinnati baseball history through public-facing artwork.
I did not tour the building or attend an Academy event during this visit.
This article focuses specifically on the exterior artwork I photographed and the baseball history it represents.
Because this is a working youth facility, visitors should remain in publicly accessible areas and respect practices, programs, staff and participating families.
Can You Stop at the Reds Youth Academy to See the Artwork?
Yes, the exterior artwork can make an interesting brief stop for Cincinnati Reds fans, but the Academy itself should not be treated like a self-guided museum or tourist attraction.
Program schedules and access conditions can change. Check the official Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy information before making a special trip.
What Is the Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy?
The P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy is a year-round baseball and softball training facility operated through the Reds Community Fund.
It primarily serves boys and girls ages 4–18 from Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky.
The Academy provides baseball and softball development opportunities while also emphasizing education, teamwork, character and personal growth.
Programs include clinics, training, leagues and other Reds Community Fund initiatives.
The current complex opened in 2014 and includes the 33,000-square-foot Joey Votto Training Center along with four renovated baseball and softball fields.
Although the Academy is not promoted as a sightseeing destination, its exterior artwork connects the facility’s current mission with generations of Cincinnati Reds history.
The Joey Votto Training Center at the P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy in Cincinnati’s Roselawn neighborhood.
Who Was Chuck Harmon and Why Is His Statue Here?
Chuck Harmon was the first African American player in Cincinnati Reds history.
He made his Reds debut in April 1954 and later became a respected ambassador for the franchise and Cincinnati community.
Near the Academy entrance stands a bronze statue honoring Harmon. Sculptor Tom Tsuchiya created the work, which was unveiled in 2015.
Titled The Glove, the statue portrays Harmon fielding at third base.
The subject reflects his versatility as a player: Harmon played multiple positions and was known for keeping different gloves ready depending on where his team needed him.
The location gives the memorial added meaning. Young athletes entering the Academy encounter a figure who helped break a racial barrier in Cincinnati baseball history while pursuing their own opportunities in the sport.
Chuck Harmon’s The Glove statue stands at the entrance to the Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy.
Who Is Featured in the Great Eight Mural?
The mural depicts the eight everyday starters most closely associated with Cincinnati’s Big Red Machine.
- Johnny Bench
- Pete Rose
- Tony Pérez
- Joe Morgan
- Dave Concepción
- George Foster
- César Gerónimo
- Ken Griffey Sr.
Together, this celebrated lineup helped the Cincinnati Reds win consecutive World Series championships in 1975 and 1976.
Rendered primarily in grayscale, the players’ red caps, uniform details and numbers stand out immediately against the ballpark background.
The limited color palette gives the artwork the appearance of a historic team photograph while preserving the energy and identity of the Reds.
Its placement at the Youth Academy is especially fitting. Young players training at the complex encounter a visual connection to one of the franchise’s most celebrated eras, while Reds fans photographing the exterior can recognize the players who helped define the Big Red Machine.
The Big Red Machine’s Great Eight depicted in a mural at the Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy.
What Is the Connection Between the Artwork and the Academy?
The exterior artwork links Cincinnati’s baseball past with the young players developing their skills at the Academy today.
The Great Eight mural celebrates a championship era familiar to generations of Reds fans, while Chuck Harmon’s statue recognizes a player whose importance reaches beyond statistics and wins.
For me, that connection is what made the stop more interesting than simply photographing Reds logos on a building.
The artwork helps explain why baseball history belongs at a facility focused on developing the next generation of players.
How Should You Photograph the Great Eight Mural?
Photograph the mural as straight-on as possible to keep the wall and players from appearing distorted.
For more techniques you can use when documenting murals and landmarks, visit my Travel Photography Tips collection.
Is the Reds Youth Academy Worth a Photography Stop?
For Cincinnati Reds fans and public-art photographers already exploring the area, yes—but treat it as a brief exterior stop rather than a destination attraction.
What began as a quick photography stop for me revealed several layers of Cincinnati baseball history.
The Great Eight mural celebrates one of baseball’s most successful lineups, while Chuck Harmon’s statue honors a player whose impact extended beyond the field.
This is not a conventional tourist attraction, and I would not make a long trip specifically expecting to tour the Academy.
If you are already nearby, however, the exterior artwork can add a meaningful 10–20 minute stop to a Reds, mural or Cincinnati photography itinerary.
Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy FAQ
Is the Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy open to tourists?
The Academy is an active youth baseball and softball facility rather than a traditional tourist attraction. This article focuses only on exterior artwork visible from publicly accessible areas.
How long do you need to see the exterior artwork?
Allow approximately 10–20 minutes if you are stopping specifically to photograph the Great Eight mural, Chuck Harmon statue and exterior details.
Where is the Reds Youth Academy?
The P&G MLB Cincinnati Reds Youth Academy is located at 2026 East Seymour Avenue in Cincinnati’s Roselawn neighborhood.
Who are the Great Eight?
The Great Eight are Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Tony Pérez, Joe Morgan, Dave Concepción, George Foster, César Gerónimo and Ken Griffey Sr.—the everyday starters most closely identified with Cincinnati’s championship Big Red Machine lineup.
Learn More or Support the Reds Youth Academy
Families in Greater Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky can review current baseball and softball programs, age requirements, registration periods and available clinics through the Cincinnati Reds’ official website.
Programs vary throughout the year and may require advance registration.
The Reds Community Fund also provides information about its broader youth baseball, softball, education and community initiatives.
View Reds Youth Academy Programs →About Angela
Angela Addington is the travel photographer and writer behind Lenses & Latitudes. She shares firsthand destination guidance and practical photography advice for independent and solo travelers, women over 50, road-trippers and weekend explorers. Learn more about Angela.
