Schott Returns to Riverfront

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, talking with Reds players and their families.

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 said the restrictions on Schott have eased because of progress regarding her agreement with the National League. He did not elaborate.

Schott previously agreed to step aside from operation of the club through the 1998 season. Allen was named interim CEO on June 12, but Schott has said in a staff memo he will be replaced by Aug. 11.

Schott was not available for comment, and Allen said he wants to keep “the focus on the field and toward the future,” and would not discuss the matter further.

In what might be his final two weeks running the Reds, Allen is reaching out to minorities, joining hands with those who may have been offended by Schott’s comments.

Allen 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.

“The concept is that everybody know the Reds really do care and to try to reach a cross section of as many of the different communities as we can,” Allen said.

Allen 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. More than 20 busloads of underprivileged children are expected.

Allen has been a popular figure and has accepted an invitation to speak at the opening of the annual regional Black Family Reunion on Aug. 17, even though he may no longer be leader of the Reds.

“John Allen’s done a fabulous job,” Mike Larkin, brother of Red shortstop Barry Larkin, told The Cincinnati Enquirer. “He has been so conscious of the community, it’s a great fit.”

Schott is barred from interfering with the Reds’ daily business, and she does not talk to reporters. But she is believed to be upset with Allen for some of his innovations, especially discount nights when $8 tickets are sold for $3.

It was during another one of his promotions that Allen fully realized the need for a greater effort to reach minorities.

Ushers were told to randomly pick nine children to go onto the field and stand by a Cincinnati player. Allen was surprised that only one of the children was black.

“They said, ‘John, we couldn’t find many minorities,”’ Allen said. “That’s when it really hit home.”