We might have Henry, but we don't have snow

Indians play their home opener in Milwaukee, 7 hours away... nice. Reds fans sit in 35-degree weather. Players hamstrings freeze up like Popsicles. The best thing about the Reds first homestand was that Junior Griffey's legs made it through without exploding. Here's a thought:

Why wouldn't MLB consider allowing/mandating that cold weather clubs play their first homestands at their spring training sites?

How cool would it be to see the Reds open at 7,500-seat Ed Smith Stadium? You could plan a vacation around it. Think of the closeness to the players. Think of the old-time feel. People who don't necessarily like MLB any more do go to minor league games, for the ambience. Think of the ambience. Think of the weather. Shorts. Sunscreen. Golf. Crazy?

Maybe. The Reds could double their ticket prices, and get it. They could have an airline sponsor the games. Or a resort. True, five games at Ed Smith would just about equal one opener at GABP. But that's what marketing departments are for. Maybe creative selling of this idea could bring in enough cash to justify it. I don't know. That's not my area.

You could still have all the bells, whistles and parade on the first game in Cincinnati. And maybe, instead of 15,000 for the second game at home, at night in polar conditions, you'd have 25,000. Maybe on the first Sunday day game, you'd have 30,000 instead of 20,000. Maybe that way, you make up for all the tickets you didn't sell at Ed Smith. Just a thought.