In looking carefully at this photo and at WLW4, I believe these photos are from the very same game which was opening day 1949. If you look at the scoreboard, it is impossible to determine the uniform numbers. However the first batter's uniform number in both pictures was double digits and the rest of the lineup was single digits. It also looks like the name of the visiting teams is two words.

I quickly narrowed this photo down to 1948-1952. The first game at Crosley was not televised until 1947 and WLWT was created in January, 1948. The scoreboard indicates that the team was called the Reds then so it had to be prior to 1953.

In this photo, the stands are packed and of course, there are fans surrounding the field symbolic of opening day. Of course, the WLWT cameras are there and they did not broadcast that many games during the course of the season in those days. Also, in this photo, it appears that the pitcher is left handed and of course Ken Raffensberger was the opening day pitcher in 1949. Furthermore the scoreboard indicates that the game is in the top of the fifth inning so the Reds are on the field. The field is also in excellent condition which indicates that it is very early in the season.

There is a photographer situated on the right field line in both photos. The fans in the stands below the camera appear to have coats and hats on which might indicate that the weather could have been a little crisp.

This is an educated guess but everything seems to point in that direction.

Thanks, Ron

Ron... You are absolutely right... Opening Day 1949!