There is not much more American than Family and Baseball. Ball games can make for great fun for the whole family. Whether exploring a new stadium while on vacation or looking to fill a day of summer at your home ballpark, there is some planning to do when deciding to take you family to a game. Major and minor league parks have become more family friendly over the years, so make sure to research the ballpark you intend to visit to take advantage of all the amenities.
Take Me Out to the Ball Game
Prior to having kids, you most likely sought out seats in sections that provided the best view of the game, chance for a foul ball, social interaction and/or location to your favorite beer or concession stand. Dads, you are in a new world when planning for kids. Some things that you must consider when considering seat selection for your family:
Bathroom Location – Depending on the age of your kids, and knowing their untimely need to use the restroom, you must consider if seating near a bathroom or family restroom is necessary. Also, if you are going with a nursing mother, make sure to find out where the nursing stations are and consider seating near these locations. Stadium websites have gotten advanced over the years and can help you map out these options. If you are not finding what you need online, consider calling the ticket office as they can help you find the right seats to meet your needs.
Sun/Weather Exposure – Baseball is a summer sport and if you are like me, you have come home with a few sunburns over the years thanks to a day baseball game. Seat selection is key to finding shade or cover for weather for your family. Hot and uncomfortable kids can turn an afternoon at the ballpark into a miserable and often short-lived visit. It may be hard to see what gets cover using the stadium website, but information is out there via google search. Also consider reaching out to the ticket office to get advice on the best option for the game you are looking to attend.
Access to Kid Zones – Many of the parks now offer a Kid or Family area inside the stadium. These family friendly areas can be great options for kids prior to first pitch or to serve as a change of scenery during the game. Think about seats close to these locations to make for easy access in case the kids get restless. The team mascot may also visit these areas during certain times of the game, so consider seeking that out if appropriate for your child (consider how they reacted to Santa).
Seat Congestion – If you are going to a game that will not be a sell out you may want to consider seats in a less congested area. A lot of the MLB parks still allow children under a certain age (typically 2 or 3 years and under) in for free with a paid adult. These kids do not get a seat and are expected to sit on their parent’s lap. If you are taking this option, think about getting seats in an area that does not typically sell out (think the upper deck or certain outfield sections) so that you can spread out. Even if not taking a lap child, consider a less congested area if your kids will need to move around a bit verse sitting in the same seat for 3-4 hours. I know that my kids struggle to sit still, so I set up planned walks around the park, if I am unable to get some open seats by us.
Family Friendly Seating – Each fan base has its own culture. If you are in a city known to have an overly passionate fanbase, try to avoid getting seats in the rowdier areas of the stadium. Typically, this is the bleachers for most ballparks, but also avoid all-inclusive areas or areas of the park that may be connected to stadium bars. Again, if you are unsure check with the ticket office as they can provide you further insight on this.
On the other hand, there may be sections of the park that are designated for families. Tickets in these sections may include perks like a free hotdog, rally towel, t-shirt or another give away. If these are available to you and price competitive, consider sitting in family areas. You will be surrounded by other families that will be more tolerant to kids having to get up during inopportune times and the possibility of a little kicking the back of their chair.
Getting to the Park
When planning for your family baseball outing, think about practical options for getting to the stadium. You will need to consider transit to the stadium, parking and then the walk from the lot to the ballpark. If your kids (or you) struggle to sit in traffic, don’t do well on long walks or cringe at expensive parking garages, consider taking mass transit to the game. A bus, light rail or similar can serve as an adventure for your kids especially if they have never been on one before. This option can be very cost friendly and often offers a stop close to high traffic areas like stadiums. If taking mass transit, keep in mind that post game can get very congested when everybody rushes to the train stop. Consider leaving slightly earlier than the end of the game to ensure access to a train or explore the stadium after the game to let the crowd thin out a bit. Some teams offer stadium tours, hall of fame areas, or kids run the bases options after games that may make this even more enjoyable for you and your kiddos.
If mass transit is not an option for your family, scout out parking options that fit your budget and family walking tolerance. A lot of urban stadiums have micro transit options that can reduce your walking and give the kids an adventure when getting from the lot to the stadium. If your kids are older, you may want to seek out electric scooters or bike sharing apps to get from your lot to the game. If your kids are younger or scooters/bikes are not an option, see if the city you are in may have bike rickshaws or other fun taxi services to create an adventure for your kids.
What to Bring
If you have young kids, you know that going on any outing can require a small suitcase worth of stuff to prepare for the unknown. Consider the baseball game no different. Stadiums have gotten stricter with regulations around what can be brought into the park, so make sure to do your research prior to understand what is allowed. You do not want to end up having to go back to the car or have to ditch an expensive item because you cannot get it into the ballpark. Most stadiums try to be family friendly and allow things like strollers and diaper bags to accompany small children even if they don’t generally allow purses, bags or backpacks for adults. Things to consider when going with your family:
Stroller – A stroller may be essential to get your little to/from and around the ballpark. Remember that you will be navigating high traffic areas and you will also need to consider where to store the stroller once you get to your seats.
Baby Carrier – A baby carrier may be more practical than a stroller, but this also may create a workout for the parent carrying the baby during the summer heat. If it is comfortable, it will allow you to navigate the crowds more efficiently and storage at your seat will not be a problem.
Portable Booster Seat – If you are concerned with your child seeing over the crowd during the game, consider bringing a portable booster seat. Again, check with the ticket office to ensure they can be brought in as some stadiums want you to rent their boosters rather than bring your own.
Food and Drink Options – Some ballparks still allow you to bring in sealed water and outside food to the game. This can be a big cost savings and it will ensure your kid has food that they like during the game. That said, I have not met a kid that does not like ice-cream and soft pretzels. Again, check with the venue to see what is allowed.
Comfort Items – Outside of the normal items you would pack for your child, consider bringing cooling fans, cold/frozen wash cloths, extra wipes (eating at your seat verse over a table), straws, sippy cups and any other items that may seem essential for sitting outdoors for 3-4 hours in a fairly confined space (your seats). As with everything else, make sure it is allowed by the stadium you are visiting and can be easily packed and carried to and from the game.
Your Kids Ball Glove – If they have one, bring it along to give them the feel that they are part of the game!
Plan for Success!
If your child is old enough, expose them to baseball prior to the game. Watching games on tv, attending a little league game, and playing catch in the backyard, will help them understand the basics prior to committing to a big-league outing.
Let the ballpark do some of the work for you as well. Show your kids where the scoreboard is and how to read it so that they can follow along without you having to give them a pitch-by-pitch update. Teams also do a lot of activities between innings to keep people engaged (sausage races, hidden ball games, mascot antics, etc.). Point these out to your kids as they start, so that the slower parts of the game do not lose their attention. There are online and app related activities that stadiums do during games as well. Some stadiums allow you to send texts or pictures during the game that they will put on the scoreboard. Some stadiums setup app related games that tie into the on-the-field game as part of their stadium experience. I am not suggesting giving your kids your phone during the game, but if appropriate consider participating in these activities to diversify your kids experience at the game.
A trip to the ballpark should be memorable for your family. Planning well increases the chances that those memories are all positive!