Partial Lifting of Ban Brings Out Schott

Cincinnati Red owner Marge Schott returned to Riverfront Stadium on Sunday for the first time since being banned from her office, luxury box and field-level seat by major league baseball. Schott was on the field with her St. Bernard dog before the Reds’ game with the New York Mets.

John Allen, the Reds’ interim chief executive officer, said baseball had allowed a partial lifting of the ban. But Schott still is barred from going to her executive office in the stadium, and from taking part in day-to-day operations.

Allen, meanwhile, has arranged for a “Celebration of Diversity” at tonight’s game with the Houston Astros, in cooperation with the Cincinnati Human Relations Commission and the Black and Jewish Coalition. He made 10,000 tickets available at $1 each, and sponsors found local companies to put up the money. Tickets have been distributed to about 70 nonprofit agencies.