Cincinnati, OH (My Sportsbook) - Pete Rose was among several former major league stars to play in a spirited celebrity softball game Monday night to signify the end of Cinergy Field.

Rose, who has been banned from Major League Baseball for gambling activities, wasn't allowed to participate in the stadium's closing ceremony on Sunday when the Reds played the Philadelphia Phillies.

However, on Monday night the 61-year-old Rose was donned in a red softball jersey and white shorts and was back on the field with former Cincinnati teammates Johnny Bench, Tony Perez and Joe Morgan.

Fans paid up to $30 a ticket to see Rose play at the stadium for the first time since August 17, 1986, when he struck out against Goose Gossage. Rose, who ended with 4,256 hits, the most in Major League Baseball history, was greeted with the chants of "Pete! Pete! Pete!" from the crowd. Fans received Rose bobblehead dolls, which displayed his popular No. 14 uniform.

Rose singled in the sixth inning past Hall of Fame third baseman Mike Schmidt and went to third on a Morgan base hit. Rose, who said before the game he wouldn't do a head-first slide, surprised the fans when his belly dug into the ground with his slide and heard the appreciative roars from the crowd. Flash bulbs were popping all over the stadium each time Rose was at bat.

The Reds called Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field home for the last 33 years and will play in the Great American Ball Park next season.

There are several magical moments synonymous with Riverfront Stadium/Cinergy Field, but the top two involve Rose. On September 11, 1985, Rose, a Cincinnati native, delighted the crowd by breaking Ty Cobb's all-time hit record with a single to left field off San Diego's Eric Show on a 2-1 pitch. On July 14, 1970 in one of the most thrilling All-Star Games, Rose plowed through Cleveland catcher Ray Fosse at home plate to score the tiebreaking run in the 12th inning, giving the National League a 5-4 victory.