Ricky Anderson: 7 Tips for Taking Your Kids to Their First Baseball Game

7 Tips for Taking Your Kids to Their First Baseball Game

I love baseball. So do you (I'm not asking; I'm telling). Chances are your kids do, too.

Here's some tips for you and your kids when going to their first baseball game:

1. If you've got a minor league team, start there. Take the opportunity to meet the stars now, because they'll be too stuck up later. I've met Eric Karros, Mike Piazza and Pedro Martinez when they played for the Albuquerque Dukes. They were all friendly then - now they won't even return my calls.

2. Minor league tickets are cheaper. You'll rarely have to mortgage anything to see a game, but paying for big league tickets can turn a minivan-driving dad into a drug dealer.

3. Let your kids bring their tiny baseball gloves. Not only will they feel important, but they'll have something to protect you with when a line drive heads your way.

4. 25¢ hot dog night. Don't stop until you're too full to waddle to the car!

5. Don't forget to yell 'CHARGE!', or the terrorists win. This applies to The Wave as well.

6. If you jump up to catch a foul ball, take note of where you're going to land. Upon landing, I had a very personal and painful moment with an armrest at the Arizona Diamondbacks stadium. You only forget this tip once!

7. Learn the songs. If you don't know the national anthem or 'Take Me Out to the Ballgame', you're just a fool watching everyone else have fun. And they'll probably put you on the big screen.

What do you love about going to baseball games? What advice would you give others?

Comments (12)

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Sgt. Wolverine · 721 weeks ago

Minor league baseball is fantastic. It's much cheaper and more casual than MLB.

That said, as one who spends a lot of time around high school sports, I'd also recommend a local high school baseball game. They can be a lot of fun if you have a decent team in the area, and they're even cheaper and more casual. For extra intensity and a better crowd, try the playoffs; most rounds you can watch a couple games featuring different teams on the same day, and you'll usually get at least one really good game, even early in the playoffs.

As for tips...well, I have just one: PAY ATTENTION. Foul balls are unpredictable, painful, and all too common. (I nearly got hit with one on Saturday. They call it softball, but that ball isn't soft...)

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Ricky Anderson 96p · 721 weeks ago

At the Giants game last week, Cody Ross lost his bat in the stands while swinging for the fence.

Landed 20 feet away from us. Sure surprised the folks sitting there!

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Rob Shepherd · 720 weeks ago

I love that you are forced to pay attention because something might fly at you and kill you. Whether it's a ball or a bat it could fly at you and knock you out. I've seen it happen on the TV.

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Ricky Anderson 96p · 720 weeks ago

We have some friends that were scared to go to their first game because of this. I sat in front of them just in case.

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russiwu 59p · 720 weeks ago

I love taking our kids to our see our AAA club... they have a deal where you buy them a membership to a club for $15 and they get a T-shirt, free admission the rest of the year, and on Sundays after the game they can go out and run the bases. It pays for itself after 2 games, and even though they could care less about the game, they love the 7th inning stretch because they get to sing.

1 reply · active 720 weeks ago

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Ricky Anderson 96p · 720 weeks ago

THAT'S what I'm talking about!

You're a good dad. They'll remember stuff like this forever.

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Your Big Sister · 720 weeks ago

Some things you forgot:
Get there early when the Beach Boys are playing.
Don't beg dad for cotton candy. You won't get any.
Be mad when the game gets rained out, but be amazed at the dance the field crew does while rolling out the tarps.

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Ricky Anderson 96p · 720 weeks ago

Cotton candy at ball games with dad was as rare as steak with my father-in-law!