CINCINNATI — Summertime means nights spent at the ballpark watching baseball. This year, baseball fans can also enjoy the players of the past with a new local business in Great American Ballpark. 

What You Need To Know

• 'Hit Seekers' has a new card shop inside Great American Ballpark


• Fans can get baseball cards of their favorite Reds legends or cards of other sports like football or soccer


• Greg Rouse started the store after being a life-long collector


• Rouse says the shop has been well received and is glad he's able to reach more baseball and sports fans 

It’s a time-honored tradition collecting baseball cards from the sport’s past and present.

For Greg Rouse, it’s been a hobby since childhood, which makes having his own card shop, Hit Seekers, in Great American Ballpark even sweeter.

Greg Rouse looks at some of the baseball cards he has on hand at Hit Seekers (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

“Being a lifelong collector, there are times that this is pretty surreal,” Rouse said.

Before the stand gets too busy, Rouse can’t help himself but go watch batting practice before the game, which is reminiscent of when he was a kid.

“I would go down during batting practice and I would hang over the rail and I would, you know, get autographs and players would throw me balls,” he said. “In some ways, I’m still kind of that kid.”

Rouse loves baseball and typically checks out batting practice before the games (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

Now, connecting with kids through his true passion. Creating something that’s bigger than he ever thought.

“Sports cards can do a lot of things," Rouse said. "But one thing that it can absolutely do is build a community.”

Young fans browse the collection at Hit Seekers (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

Rouse hopes to foster the love for sports cards in fans old and new, making sure every collector is able to find their next card.

“You have to carry something for everybody." Rouse said. "For every $400 card, you need to have three $200 cards.”

Rouse and fans gather around a baseball card (Spectrum News 1/Katie Kapusta)

What’s next for Rouse and his shop?

“If I had my way, I’d put one of these in all 30 major league parks,” he said. “If I had my way. I don’t know how realistic that is, but I can assure you, we’ve had conversations.”

‘Hit Seekers’ is located on the third base side of the concourse level at Great American Ballpark and is open for every Reds’ home game.