It’s Here! It’s Here! Opening day for the 2015 MLB Baseball Season! And of course, the home opener of our favorite team-the St. Louis Cardinals!
Baseball is my family’s favorite pastime, hands down. It is something that everyone can enjoy, no matter how old or young. One of my first dates with my husband was at a baseball game and now we love taking the whole family to a few games a year at our local MLB park. We have celebrated our anniversary at the ball park, attended games with friends and family, and even had the chance for our kids to walk the field and check out the dugout. Of course, we live in San Diego so we spend a lot of time at the Padres stadium but our favorite team – the St. Louis Cardinals- can be seen on our television or heard on the radio all season long.
As we’ve grown as a baseball family there are a few tips I have learned along the way for taking the family out to the ball game. Visiting a major league stadium can be so much fun, but you might want to plan ahead for a few things.
Check Ticket Policies
Many small children do not require tickets, saving you some money. The exact ticket policy, however varies by stadium. Some may not require tickets for children under the age of three while others. have a height restriction and only require tickets for children taller than 36″. Is is always best to check before you go.
Find the Family Fun
Many stadium offer family days, have a kids zone on site, or do special events after the games like fireworks or concerts. Depending on the age of your children, choose a game that will have something for them specifically. Here in San Diego, they have “the park in the park” – a miniature version of a baseball field where kids can play some wiffle ball. It is a blast! Most teams have a kids club that you can sign up for to receive promotional information. The St. Louis Cardinals have promotional giveaway nights (you can find the list on the ballpark website), one of which is a free ticket to kids 15 and under. Baseball is such a family friendly sport that I highly recommend doing your research on your home ball park before going, chances are they offer something for kids and family during the season.
Review the Food Policy
Every stadium is different on this one but most, if not all will allow you to bring in bottled water. I find this alone to be a huge cost saver, especially on a warm day. Many stadiums also allow you to bring in snacks, which is fantastic! We usually spring for a hot dog and a treat after the 7th inning stretch, but having snacks as well is a lifesaver – especially since a baseball game can last 3+ hours.
Know the Parking Situation
Know where you will be parking before you go. This will save you a lot of time. If the stadium is located downtown a large city I would suggest looking into public transportation as well. Often times it is easier (and more cost effective) to use the metro or trolly system.
This is one of my favorite parts. We love to show our pride for our team all year long, but fan gear purchased inside of the stadium can be VERY expensive. Instead wee like to purchase our fan gear online at Fanatics.com ahead of time. Fanatics is a great online fan gear store that has everything you need, from every team, to show your spirit through the whole season!
This season my family will be wearing these to show our pride for the St. Louis Cardinals. I’ve chosen the classic look of the Gray Distressed Logo Tee for the boys , the Heart Tank Top for the girls, and the ’47 Brand Flex Hat for me. There are so many items to choose from, for everyone, that when shopping, I had a hard time narrowing it down to these items!
Our littlest Cardinals fan will be arriving just in time for post season so I could not pass up the opportunity to grab some adorable pint sized fan gear! What do you think – perfect coming home outfit for the ultimate baseball fan?
The Triple Play 3 piece body suit set, infant dugout thermal body suit, and the newborn piped raglan coverall are just too cute to pass up!
Since Fanatics is the largest retailer of official licensed sports merchandise it is the ultimate place for fans to shop for their favorite MLB hats and Jerseys. Their easy to use website and quick shipping will have you ready to go for opening day! So, who’s ready for some baseball?!
Let’s PLAY BALL!!
I was selected for this opportunity as a member of Clever Girls and the content and opinions expressed here are all my own.
Comments