A Cincinnati tradition continues Sunday afternoon, as the Cincinnati Reds pay respect to one of the most supportive cities in Reds’ country, Portsmouth, Ohio. Portsmouth will be the highlight of the Reds as they conclude the first week of the 2016 MLB season.

While the Reds will be celebrating Portsmouth, a multitude of area residents will be donning red and white at Great American Ball Park to root the Redlegs on to victory over their NL Central rivals, the Pittsburgh Pirates.

Various representatives of the Portsmouth area will also help start the game.

Southern Ohio Port Authority Director Jason Kester will have the honor of throwing out the first pitch Sunday afternoon, shortly before the 1:10 p.m. game time.

Kester is grateful for the opportunity to throw out the first pitch.

“I think it’s a really great opportunity to be able to showcase the positivity and hard work our groups have been doing at such a public forum,” Kester said. “Being picked to throw out the first pitch isn’t about anything I’ve done, but what we’ve all done together.”

Portsmouth will also be represented by the vocal talents of Alainnah Scott, who will be performing The Star Spangled Banner. Scott is a student at Portsmouth Junior High School, and will have the support of the thousands in attendance at Great American Ball Park as well as all those watching from home.

Portsmouth Day is a long standing tradition between the Portsmouth area and the Reds organization.

“We’ve been celebrating Portsmouth Day with the Reds for longer than I can even remember,” Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce, Lisa Carver said. “It’s a great way for the community to come together and enjoy America’s favorite past time. It’s really neat to sit in a big arena like Great American Ball Park and look around and see your friends and neighbors.”

Carver helps organize Portsmouth’s connections for the game.

Portsmouth area residents had the opportunity to purchase special reduced price tickets for the game Sunday, and will be seated near each other in several sections of the ball park.

A special video will be played on the jumbo screen celebrating the Portsmouth area. The video will feature music from local recording artist Shane Runion, and will feature various locations throughout the community, according to Joseph Pratt, director of Main Street Portsmouth.

The Portsmouth Day game will be the final game of the three-game series with the Pirates. Probable starters for the game are Jeff Locke for Pittsburgh, and Anthony DeSclafani, who is expected to be activated from the disabled list.

DeSclafani went on the 15-day disabled list with a left oblique strain on March 25th. He pitched a three-inning simulated game on Wednesday.