A new baseball season has begun in Cincinnati. And with that out come the "fans" at the game that don't understand what to wear when at a game. Look, this post isn't coming from TLC or WE or the Oxygen channel, its coming from a guy that attends Reds' games pretty regularly each season. Its coming from a guy that knows the history of this team along with the the history of baseball in general. I've followed the sport for many years now, I know a fair-weather fan when I see them. I know what the casual fan looks like. I also know what an "out-of-the-loop" fan looks like as well. How do I know? By what they choose to wear to a game, particularly the biggest game of the season, Opening Day.

I was at Opening Day this past Monday and I couldn't help but people watch. At Sully's bar before the game I remember constantly pointing out what various people were wearing to the crew I was with. Most of the people at the bar that day were up to date on their Reds' gear. If they didn't have a jersey on, they had a shirt on that had some sort of Reds logo on it. But then there were those that appeared they hadn't bought a new jersey or gear since the mid-90s. With that observation smacking me in the brain, I decided at that point that I was going to write up this post about what to and what not to wear when attending a Reds' game, or any other sporting event for that matter. But for the sake of perspective and relevance, I'll just work with the Reds' apparel. Listed below you'll find what I feel is right and wrong to wear when attending a game. Think of this as your fashion etiquette lesson for the season.

WHAT TO WEAR

• A jersey that is up to date with a current Reds player on it, ie. Adam Dunn, Ken Griffey Jr., Brandon Phillips, Aaron Harang, Bronson Arroyo, Edwin Encarnacion, etc.
• Griffey's old #30 jersey is acceptable as well
• A jersey of a former player that meant a great deal to this team or had a major impact in the history of the Reds, ie. Pete Rose, Joe Nuxhall, Barry Larkin, Jose Rijo, Chris Sabo, Tom Browning, Rob Dibble, Mario Soto, Johnny Bench, etc.
• Obviously a plain jersey with no number on it, just a Reds' logo is all good
• Any other Reds' paraphernalia that is just simple, no numbers or names on it, unless its of a current player
• Any normal Reds' hat with the Reds' logo on it or a design of Mr. Red or whatever along those lines
• Jerseys or anything else if you're there for the opposing team is fine as well, just as long as it meets the above guidelines too
• If you don't have any Reds' gear to wear, either wear a red polo or shirt, or just come comfortable in something neutral

WHAT NOT TO WEAR

• A jersey with a former Reds' player that wasn't a part of a World Series team or had a big impact on the team at some point, ie. Sean Casey, Austin Kearns, Dimitri Young, etc...I even saw one person wearing a Pokey Reese jersey....come on!
• Anything associated with another team that's not playing on the field! For the love of Pete if I see one more Cubs fan wearing a Cubs jersey to a Reds game against a team other than the Cubs I think I'm going to insane. The same thing goes for those that want to wear their Red Sox gear to any and every game...I actually saw a guy decked from head to toe in Red Sox gear at Opening Day...apparently he didn't realize he was at a REDS game, not a RED SOX game!
• Those fishing hats with the Reds' logo on it...seriously, don't get me started on this one...just leave them at home in your closet. Wearing one is just asking to be mocked and ridiculed.
• Leave your Bengals, Bearcats and Buckeyes jerseys, t-shirts, sweatshirts, and hats at home. Not only would you not be wearing anything representing the Reds, you're not even representing the right sporting event you're attending by wearing anything associated with these teams.
• Unless you're sitting in a luxury box or in the Diamond Seats, leave the suits and dresses at home!
• This one is just for the ladies...I hope! DO NOT WEAR HEELS TO A GAME!!! You're just asking to trip up or down the steps, especially after tipping back a few. If you do trip and fall, everyone around you is granted the right to laugh and point at you for at least 30 seconds. There's no need to come to a game all hoochied up. Guys are attracted to a girl that can come to a game and represent their team wearing gear just like they are. In my opinion you're better off leaving the stilettos at home and putting on your Nikes or flip-flops and some Reds' gear...following the above referenced "What to Wear" section of course

I think that covers everything. When you head out to your next Reds' game, think about what's been discussed here. Trust me when I say this, I'm not the only one that notices those that are wearing articles of clothing in the "What Not to Wear" category. And believe me when I tell you this as well, if you do fall into that category, we are laughing at or blasting on you every time you walk by.

For those of you that disagree with me, I'd love to hear why. I'd love to hear an argument against me here. For those that agree with me, if I missed anything, please feel free to comment and add to this post.

General Cincinnati population, you so-called Reds fans, I'm ashamed of you.

Your exterior is admirable. You talk about Opening Day, stand close to the Hot Stove and talk about the year to come. You cry (or rather, whine) profusely about not getting Opening Day tickets. You camp out in the cold overnight at Fountain Square for a chance at some nosebleeds on March 31st.

You take off work, take the kids out of class and take them to a rather underwhelming parade. (Check out Harvest Home in the fall for a real parade.) You don your red and white (and black for the new-school fans) everything and attend opening day. You nudge your friends because you see Bob Huggins or Jack Ruby.

Then, you call it a day, place the Reds gear right next to the mittens and the undersized boxers you really think you're going to fit into by the fall and call it a year.

Monday's Opening Day attendance: 42,498.

Wednesday's attendance: 14,016.

No, the numbers aren't transposed. No, this isn't a Marlins game.

Opening Day may be an unofficial holiday in Cincinnati, but its observance is just as hollow as Cinco de Mayo, when everyone loves Mexicans all of a sudden. If you're celebrating the Reds, why not continue throughout the rest of the homestand? Where are you?

Opening Day in Cincinnati is just a place to be seen. The opening of the Grand Slam of Cincinnati events, including Taste of Cincinnati, Oktoberfest and the Crosstown Shootout.

For all those who disagree, I understand where you're coming from. It was cold. It was late. Yeah, that's pretty much what happens in April at a game that starts at 7:10. (If the Reds began starting them at 6:40, people would complain that it's too early.)

Now, I'm not saying that you need to attend every game. I know that it's not free to attend for most people. (I rarely buy tickets and only go when I get free ones as well, but that has more to do with opportunity and finances rather than desire.) I know, though, that there are plenty of people with means who could attend those games and don't.

It's because Cincinnati is not a baseball town. If it was, the stadium at a minimum would be half full every game. Even rainy days.

If it was, this week there would be more people attending the games because they would realize that the Diamondbacks and the Phillies, both National League postseason teams last season, are in town for this trip and this trip alone.

If it was, there would be significantly fewer people asking where Josh Hamilton is, and why the Reds didn't back up the Brinks truck for him to stay.

If it was, there wouldn't be the most disgruntled future Hall of Famer in the majors wearing the Reds uniform. (Can you picture St. Louis fans treating Albert Pujols the way that this city treats Ken Griffey Jr.?)

If it was, people would be sad, but understand why Joe Nuxhall doesn't win the Ford Frick Award year after year. Trust me, I know how much the Ol' Lefthander means to the area and to Reds baseball, but he is only a memorable voice to those who grew up in this area.

If it was, when Johnny Cueto made his major-league debut with seven innings and 10 strikeouts, the main topic of conversation wouldn't be Chris Henry's release.

It's OK for Cincinnati not to be a baseball town. I love being a baseball fan in this city, and I know there are many, many passionate fans who understand what I'm trying to express and bleed Cincinnati red. Maybe you couldn't make it because of family, or because you work hard, or because you can't afford it or the cable to watch the games. You can still be a great baseball fan without the personal appearances at the ballpark and cheer your team on in your own way.

The fact remains, though, that we do not live in a baseball town.

Instead, we live in a city where the Bengals rule supreme and a guy who hits 40 HRs a year and racks up 100 RBIs and 100 BBs a year is constantly berated for his defense and his strikeouts.

It's cool, just admit it. This is a football town. The Reds are great, but the Bengals hold your interest more. It's really OK.

I've gone through excessive bitterness on this issue, but banging this out on the keyboard is a bit of catharsis. Enjoying Edwin Encarnacion's three-run bomb in the bottom of the ninth on Wednesday in person, and listening to Cueto's amazing performance on the radio helped as well.

The fantasy baseball season has just begun. Nobody has 25 at bats or 14 inning pitched yet (except maybe Joe Blanton, but you get the point) and already, you've got the annoying day trader in your league. You know the guy. The one who's already hit the waiver wire trying to fill gaps on a poorly drafted team. Or just trying to catch lightning in a bottle. He's searching for this year's Albert Pujols, but likely ends up with Tuffy Rhodes or Benny Agbyani instead. One guy in our GSI league has already made 17 transaction moves. That's right -- SEVENTEEN! I've suggested that he should seek help. It's more good natured ribbing than anything, but I am not of the school condoning this strategy in fantasy sports, especially fantasy baseball. Fantasy baseball, much moreso than fantasy football, is a marathon not a sprint. I don't care that Alfonso Soriano has sucked thus far. I'm not concerned about Mark Buerhle's 18.00 ERA. I'm not even worried about Trevor Hoffman. I'm not going to replace Soriano with Scott Hairston or Buerhle with Joe Saunders or Hoffman with Miguel Batista. It requires endurance and patience, most of all. The law of averages tells me everything will likely be okay.

If you want to be that guy, that's fine. There can be merit to it. You might be the first one to the waiver wire and might get this year's breakout player. I can live with that because I know I've put the effort and time into my draft preparation and to me, that's what fantasy sports is about. That and a whole lotta luck!