The 'Great American Pastime' is incredibly fun for kids and grownups alike, and we know a number of families who have endeavored to visit every Major League Baseball park in the country. Even if you aren't quite that fiercely devoted to the sport, taking in a game can make a great afternoon adventure on vacation or in your own hometown. A little advance research will maximize enjoyment and comfort. Here are a few tips:
- Skip the bleachers. There's too much sun, no assigned seating, and the crowd tends to be rowdier.
- For infants and toddlers, get the lowdown on changing rooms and a place to park your stroller beforehand.
- Older kids who understand the game may appreciate a radio to listen to the play by play.
- Find out about stadium food options in advance, and whether or not outside food and drinks are permitted.
- Get a scorecard for your child and keep track of the game together.
- Look into special opportunities for kids; at Wrigley, children under 12 who come early may be selected to participate in the Kids Corral, a group of 30 kids who get to go on the field and see the players before the game.
- Visit Club MLB for kid-friendly content from the majors.
(Image by Flickr member cathyse97 licensed under Creative Commons)
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for nursing mamas i have found phillies and mets ballparks allow you to nurse in first aid. they are quiet and air conditioned
I LOVE that picture :)
I highly recommend sitting in the family section if your ballpark has one. Alcohol is usually forbidden and that makes for a much more pleasant experience. The last time we went to a game in the regular section, a drunk college kid cussed me out while I was holding my baby for wearing the hat of another team.
Aw, great photo! I can't wait to take my little guy to his first Cubs game. Even though they stink worse than usual this year...oh well, that means tickets are cheap!
At Wrigley you also get a certificate commemorating your first game. They have stroller parking too:)
had to comment just to say that little guy is adorable!!!
... and now it occured to me that that little person could also be a she... i have a little guy who has been mistaken for a girl in neutral colors, sometimes its so hard to tell at that age, and i shouldn't assume based on the blue shirt!
so i'll correct myself and say that little person is ADORABLE! sorry!
SF Giants stadium has a "mini ballpark" where kids can have batting practice (tee ball style) as well as a great play area with slides and such. i imagine there are other parks with some kid friendly areas as well...
We LOVE baseball, and took our babes to games, but found toddler age is near impossible. Even minor league games with more room and fun stuff to do, toddlers are so squirmy! So we'll try again in a few years.
Just wanted to add that at Miller Park in Milwaukee (GO BREWERS!), the bleachers are our family's favorite seats! They offer much more shade than most of the other sections, the seating IS assigned and it's very close to the bathrooms and a great hot dog stand, not to mention its a great view for our baseball loving family. There is also 2 large kid areas and on Sundays, all kids get to run the bases after the game! Do your research before heading to any ballpark since they are all so different!
Minor league parks are usually very family friendly. Many don't serve alcohol and have lots of events for kids before and after games, and are also smaller so you don't have such huge crowds.
Yep, at Wrigley, go to guest relations to get your child's "First Cubs Game" certificate. And at many ballparks there are random open areas for little ones to run a little bit (at Wrigley, for example, my son loved to look down at the street from an open area behind the last row of seats, lower deck, right field). I They DO stink more than usual this year...$5 tickets on StubHub!!! :)