Author Archives: Kurt Smith
3 American Family Field Seating Tips (Milwaukee Brewers)
Posted by Kurt Smith
American Family Field (home of the Milwaukee Brewers, in case you weren’t aware of the name change from Miller Park) has an impressive seating bowl, with four whole tiers of seating. I talk about cheaper seats elsewhere, but here’s three American Family Field seating tips for the lower levels.
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American Family Field Seating Tips, #1) Field Level. The lowest level seats at American Family Field have a low slope, but the view is just fine. The seats closer to the outfield are angled towards second base for less neck strain. All the seats between the bases cost the same; you have to get close to the corners to see a price drop.
The first five or so rows of each Infield section is considered Diamond Box, and command a significantly higher price. So if you want one of the better seats, try a third party seller like Gametime.
The Field Box seats, like most all seats at Brewers games, are surprisingly reasonable in today’s baseball climate. There are some 25-26 rows in most sections.
American Family Field Seating Tips, #2) Loge Level. The Loge section is the second tier, from foul pole to foul pole, and follows the same pricing pattern as Field Box; infield and outfield seats, and the lower row seats are Diamond seats. The price disparity isn’t as large here though.
Loge seats can be the best value in the ballpark. In many ballparks the second tier is the suite or club level, but at the Brewers’ ballpark they’re for the common folk and are physically only slightly higher than field level. Great view for the price, especially on bargain nights.
The higher rows of Loge Box seats can suffer from view problems with the overhang of the Club Level; generally about the 18th row up might give you problems seeing the scoreboard.
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American Family Field Seating Tips, #3) Club Level. The Club Level is the third tier above the Loge Level and are fairly high up for premium seats. The seats there cost a bit more, but you have access to the climate-controlled, carpeted Club Level concourse, which is nice on a cold (or hot) day. You’ll also have access to the huge SKYY Lounge on the Club Level, overlooking Helfaer Field.
There are plenty of deluxe (for a ballpark) food options—carveries and stations for pasta, burgers and stir-fry foods to choose from. In the infield seats you can request waitress service.
Getting to the Club Level is an adventure; you can use either the escalator that finds its way up through a maze of impressive structure, or use the clock tower elevator next to the front entrance. Should you land a Club Level ticket, it’ll be helpful to have it within easy reach, since the Brewers are big on ushers checking tickets at this level.
The Club probably isn’t the best place for families; they don’t have the playgrounds that the lower concourse has, and the kids might not enjoy it as much. Better to save this one for a client or a date.
There you go folks; three levels of American Family Field seating for those of discriminating tastes. You can always save a few bucks with the cheap seats though…there’s plenty of them here!
Interested in more American Family Field tips for your next Brewers game? I’ve got ya! Check out Brewers tailgating tips here, some tips for newbies, what to know bringing the kids, and this amazing list of Brewers game shuttles!
Find out more here; and be sure to Follow Ballpark E-Guides on Facebook for more great ballpark hacks!
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4 Great American Family Field Photo-Ops
Posted by Kurt Smith
Hopefully this site has provided some great American Family Field tips for your next visit to the fine home of the Brewers. If you’re not from Milwaukee, here are some great American Family Field photo-ops for your visit…
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American Family Field Photo-Ops, #1) Sitting With Uecker. Recently the Brewers added a statue of a seated Bob Uecker at the very, very top of the stands behind home plate. It’s based on a Miller Lite commercial from many years ago where Uke gets ejected from the good seats, but he looks very relaxed at the top.
This is a very popular photo-op here, so there will likely be someone available to take the photo for you.
American Family Field Photo-Ops, #2: The Construction Workers Statue. During the construction of then-Miller Park, three construction workers lost their lives in the Big Blue crane accident, when a crane toppled and crashed in windy conditions. The ballpark’s opening was delayed a year as the team recovered and cleaned up the mess from the crane.
Today William R. DeGrave, Jerome Starr, and Jeffrey A. Wischer are memorialized in a statue of their likenesses, which is found near the front entrance. It is fitting that the Brewers recognized that tragic day.
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American Family Field Photo-Ops, #3: The Racing Sausages. There are a lot of noisy between-innings promotions during Brewers games, but don’t miss the Klement’s racing sausages in the middle of the sixth inning.
In the race five Brewers employees dress up as the Racing Sausages mascots: a hot dog, a brat, a Polish sausage, an Italian sausage and a chorizo, and then race around the foul territory of the ballpark.
The Racing Sausages hang out in the parking lots with the tailgaters before the game, so it’s a great opportunity to pose with one.
American Family Field Photo-Ops, #4: Autograph Alley. Autograph Alley is located near the Third Base Entrance, not far from TGI Friday’s. It is a wall of baseballs signed by the game’s superstars, other celebrities, and people who purchased a ball to sign.
You can spend some time here looking at the signatures, some of which are amusing, or you can go to the Brewers’ website beforehand to find the location of any signed ball you may be looking for. Some big names here include Alice Cooper, Muhammad Ali, Joe DiMaggio and of course Robert Grzeszkiewicz.
I left out some other things I liked—like Helfaer Field outside the ballpark, the interactive Bud Selig tribute, and the Kids Zone. Check them all out; wander around this ballpark. It’s got plenty to amuse you.
Click here for more great American Family Field tips, including this amazing list of Brewers game shuttles, tailgating tips, and parking tips. And click here to follow Ballpark E-Guides on Facebook!
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3 American Family Field Food Items To Try | Milwaukee Brewers
Posted by Kurt Smith
If you somehow manage to pass through the Brewers game tailgating and still have room in your stomach, there is still an outstanding selection of American Family Field food too. Most anything you’d be interested in eating at the ballgame, and possibly a few things you’d never want to eat at a ballpark, is available here.
The bratwurst culture is huge in Wisconsin and American Family Field is no exception; you know sausages are popular in a ballpark where people in sausage costumes race in the sixth inning of every game. But other than as an ingredient in the “bratchos”, I’m going to suggest a few alternatives, because not even I can live by brats alone:
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American Family Field Food, Tip #1: The AJ Bombers Burger. Any burger joint that wants to differentiate themselves from McDonald’s is going to mention that their burgers are “fresh”, and AJ Bombers, the eatery with an outpost at the ballpark, is no exception.
But there is something to be said for that; an AJ Bomber’s burger is the right kind of juicy, with toppings ranging from bacon, cheese, Schlitz onions and peanut butter. (Yes, you read that right.)
You have to wait a bit for an AJ’s burger, and there’s no view of the ballgame from here, so get your fix taken care of before game time…and wash it down with a concrete.
American Family Field Food, Tip #2: Sargento Cheese Curds. Because you’re in Wisconsin, right? Hot Cheese stands used to be the home of some neat variations of the grilled cheese sandwich and cheese curds. Recently the Brewers reduced the confusion with just simple Sargento Cheese Curds stands, selling the fried and battered cheddar cheese nuggets in various flavors like ranch, sriracha and mesquite BBQ.
If you’re not from Wisconsin, think fried cheese sticks or cheese balls but in nuggets form. A very popular thing around these parts.
American Family Field Food, Tip #3: Bratchos. My apologies for not having a picture of the bratchos. I couldn’t find a basket on display, and I couldn’t order one after the AJ Bombers burger and a plate of Rounding Third wings.
But the bratchos are not to be passed up on otherwise. It’s new at Brewers games as of 2015…and new as a food item that I’ve ever seen. Bratchos are kettle chips covered with four kinds of crumbled sausage (chorizo, Italian, Polish, and bratwurst, the staples at Brewers games), cheese sauce, sour cream, jalapenos, and sauerkraut.
It’s pretty much like a mishmash of a loaded brat with chips, but I’ve never seen them combined before. As professional eaters say when eating odd foods together, it all ends up in the same place anyway.
Those are three unusual and tasty stuffs on the American Family Field food menu, but there’s a lot more, like the Smoke Shack Ham Dinger, J. Agave’s tacos and the inimitable Zaffiro’s pizza. Stay tuned.
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Super Cheap Seats at American Family Field
Posted by Kurt Smith
If you’re looking for cheap seats at American Family Field, you’re in luck…there are a lot of them. The Brewers have a good amount of even really good seats that are affordable, but here are two options you can get with just what’s in your pocket.
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Cheap Seats at American Family Field, Tip #1: The Uecker Seats. The Brewers offer their fans an opportunity to see a game for one dollar, in the humorously named “Uecker Seats”.
I’m dating myself with this, but I remember the Miller Lite commercial featuring “Mr. Baseball” Bob Uecker, in which he gets ousted out of his seat (to which his reaction is “I must be in the front rooooow!”) and placed in the worst seats in the ballpark, where he screams at the umpire.
It was funny, and the Brewers picked up on it when they opened American Family Field in 2001, declaring the highest seats behind home plate the “Uecker Seats”. These seats are blocked by pillars that hold up a portion of the ballpark’s massive roof, so sitting here closer to the aisles means a partially obstructed view.
But the seats are just four quarters. You can’t beat that.
In order to get a Uecker Seat, you have to get in line and buy them at the box office, pay cash, and enter the ballpark directly after buying the ticket. If you have a group they need to be with you.
But once you’re in, you can stand just about anywhere, and many people simply move to a better seat during the game. But if you’re not close to the aisles, the view from the Uecker Seats can be perfectly acceptable (better than in the above photo, obviously).
The only caveat with the Uecker seats I have is this: for a high demand game, and the Brewers have quite a few of them, you will need to get in line early. This means you might not be able to enjoy the tailgating, and the smell of the sausages cooking may get to you.
Incidentally, the Brewers just added a statue of Uke sitting in the seats named for him. A great photo-op.
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Cheap Seats at Miller Park, Tip #2: Bernie’s Terrace. You should actually avoid Bernie’s Terrace, unless, of course, you just want to get into the ballpark cheaply.
The Bernie’s Terrace seats are so named for their proximity to the platform where mascot Bernie The Brewer sits. Bernie stands there during the game, waiting for a Brewer to knock one out of the park (or hit an inside-the-parker, as happened my last trip there).
When this happens, he slides down his slide onto the lower platform. It used to be into a vat of beer, but the Brewers became concerned about their image when moving into American Family Field (?) and cleaned it up a bit.
So sitting in the Bernie’s Terrace sections (441 and 442), you’d think you’d get a good close up view of Bernie sliding. Depending on where you are, you might or might not. But your real concern will be that the affable mascot’s platform creates a ridiculously obstructed view. Sitting in the upper rows of Section 442, you will lose almost half of the entire field to this.
Not to mention that you will be about as far from home plate as seats get at a Brewers game. Not a great way to watch a ballgame, so if you’re serious about seeing the game, you’ll want to avoid Bernie’s Terrace.
The nice thing is that next to the Uecker Seats, they are the cheapest tickets in the ballpark, cheaper than standing room even. And you can order the Bernie’s Terrace seats ahead of time from the Brewers’ website or box office.
Many people buy the cheap seats at American Family Field and just find a better place to sit. For lower attendance games, this is fairly easily done, so long as you don’t try to sit in a Field Level seat behind home plate. But you’ll have a much harder time doing this for a Cubs game or a weekend game.
That’s just two great deals at Brewers games; there are a whole lot of other ways to save a few bucks. Check out some more Brewers game tips here, including tailgating tips, parking tips, what to know bringing the kids, and this amazing list of Brewers game shuttles!
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Why The Best Baseball Fans May Be In Milwaukee
Posted by Kurt Smith
Ask 30 sports travelers which city has the best baseball fans and you may get 30 different answers.
Some might tell you Boston is full of fans who will be happy to pay a hefty price to see a winning team. Or that Philadelphia is full of fans who work the hardest to intimidate opponents and opposing fans. Or that the north side of Chicago has the most patient fans in the known universe.
But if you want to see some evidence of a truly certifiable and dedicated fan base, check out the Arctic Tailgate in Milwaukee, a yearly event that takes place the day Brewers tickets go on sale.
Yes, that means what you think it means. Fans set up tents on concrete outside of the American Family Field ticket windows. In February. In Wisconsin. To buy baseball tickets that can now be bought online in the comfort of their homes.
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So there are probably 20 people in tents waiting in line, right? Read this from the Brewers website: The first 2,000 fans in line will receive a hot dog and small soda, compliments of Klement’s, Pepsi and Sportservice, as well as an Arctic Tailgate t-shirt.
A small soda.
In 2014, the Brewers sold 91,000 tickets on the day of the Arctic Tailgate. This on a day when the temperature was six degrees. In 2015, the Brewers decided that the weather was too cold for overnight camping, even for Brewers fans. And people still got in line and bought 101,000 tickets by 3:00 PM that day.
These people are surely aware that they can just shell out a few extra bucks on StubHub for Opening Day tickets. If nothing else, Brewers fans are a thrifty bunch. But to them, that isn’t the point. They just want to be the first each year to celebrate Brewers baseball.
You don’t need to see people sitting on concrete in freezing cold to know what a dedicated fan base the Brewers have. You can witness it in any regular season game at American Family Field. After three hours of a tailgating scene unmatched in baseball, Brewers fans are as loud as any.
But if you want to pronounce Milwaukee fans to be the best in baseball, the Arctic Tailgate gives you a pretty strong argument.
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The Secret Stadium Sauce At American Family Field
Posted by Kurt Smith
Sausages at American Family Field are available in four varieties for varying tastes. There is the Wisconsin brat, the Italian, the Polish, and the Mexican chorizo. The four flavors are very different, but according to most accounts, the one thing that makes them all taste better is the Secret Stadium Sauce.
Secret Stadium Sauce is a Milwaukee institution, carried over from the days at Milwaukee County Stadium. It is a blend of water, tomato paste, corn syrup, vinegar, a blend of spices and capsicum. It’s something like a barbecue sauce, but not quite.
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The story of its creation is one of necessity being the mother of invention: close to 40 years ago, the team’s concessions were running out of ketchup and mustard, so a vendor named Rick Abramson put together a concoction of ketchup, mustard, smoked syrup and barbecue sauce, slapped it all together, and became president of Delaware North Companies Sportservice. Now there’s a company that recognizes genius when they see it.
Indeed, baseball authorities Tony Kubek and Bob Costas would trade off broadcasting duties when announcing games in Milwaukee, so they could each enjoy their brats with Secret Stadium Sauce without enduring endlessly long seconds of delay between bites.
Like the Ballpark Mustard in Cleveland, the Secret Stadium Sauce is available in local grocery stores in Milwaukee, which means that there is no shortage of it in the world-class tailgating scene of American Family Field parking lots.
Condiments – bringing people together.
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4 Ways to Score Cheap Brewers Tickets
Posted by Kurt Smith
The Brewers are more fan-friendly than most baseball teams, even when they’re in the hunt for a pennant. Here’s a few ways to score some cheap Brewers tickets. Notice that my first suggestion is to go through the team…I don’t say that often.
By the way, if you’re really going skinflint for Brewers tickets, check out this post.
Cheap Brewers Tickets, Tip #1) Get The Team Newsletter. The Brewers offer a lot of specials in their e-mail promotions, even for a ballpark that already has a bunch of cheap seats.
The Brewers offer discounted tickets for students, kids, seniors, first responders, and more, and they have quite a few discounted ticket days like their “5 County Fridays”. They often waive ticket fees for a short time, and that’s not a small chunk of savings.
Their e-mail newsletter will remind you of these things, and many of them are popular and limited to availability, so jump on them quickly. Sign up here. You’ll thank me.
Cheap Brewers Tickets, Tip #2: Be Flexible. If you’re not picky about which game to attend, click on the Dynamic Deals link in the ticketing section to see what the best ongoing offers are at that time.
Check for flash sales too on the Brewers’ website; the Brewers offer Terrace tickets for almost nothing at times. (This will also likely be in the newsletter, but you can check the website first.)
Cheap Brewers Tickets, Tip #3: Bring Your Friends. Milwaukee folks love to attend games in numbers, and the Brewers appreciate that. Groups can get tickets for crazy discounts on certain nights, and group leaders will receive a voucher for two free tickets in an e-mail with another couple if they can bring 100 folks.
The larger the group, the bigger the discount, so summon all your game-selling skills to your co-workers (it shouldn’t be too hard in this town); the savings can be huge.
Cheap Brewers Tickets, Tip #4: Help Your Fellow Milwaukeean. The Brewers have several ways to score tickets helping out your fellow Brew Crew fan; look for them in the “Community” section of the team website. You could win tickets by participating in any of several marathon runs or other programs.
On their website, there is also a link called “Brewers Buddies Ticket Requests”. The team will donate tickets to charitable organizations, so if you’re part of one, send in a request for tickets on your charity’s letterhead. You deserve it!
Those are just a few ways to score deals on Brewers tickets; there’s other ways to save some bucks at the ballpark too. Check out more Brewers game tips here, and don’t forget to Follow Ballpark E-Guides on Facebook!
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5 American Family Field Tips For Newbies
Posted by Kurt Smith
If you’re doing a Brewers game in Milwaukee for the first time, here are some American Family Field tips for newbies … things I definitely wished I knew in my first couple of visits to the place. Like that there’s no baseball town like Milwaukee…and there may be no better fans in baseball.
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American Family Field Tip #1: There are lots of really cheap seats. If you don’t mind missing the tailgating scene or the pre-game bars, you can get a Uecker seat on game day for just a buck; the seats are in Sections 421 and 422 and are obstructed by very large support beams, but if it’s too awful you can wander and find a good standing spot. You did get in for just a buck after all.
But there’s also the Bernie’s Terrace seats that are at rock bottom prices too, partly because of the obstruction of Bernie’s slide and the distance from home plate. Again, you can still wander, and you can buy those seats in advance and take advantage of the pre-game scene without getting in a ticket line.
American Family Field Tip #2: Sit in the Loge Box for the best value. If you would prefer to nail down a decent seat, the Loge level at American Family Field is a great value. They’re right on top of the action, almost as if you were on the field level anyway, and equivalent seats at Yankee Stadium would probably go for quadruple the price.
This is a popular spot for Brewers fans, and chances are you’ll be surrounded by some noisy ones.
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American Family Field Tip #3: Use a shuttle or tailgate. The tailgating at a Brewers game is like no other in baseball…long lines form at the gates well before they open, and within minutes after opening grills and tents and tables of food are set up, music is playing and corn hole games take over the lot. The Brewers even encourage it with coal bins and occasional giveaways.
But if you’re not necessarily into standing outside, there are a plethora of bars and restaurants that give patrons a lift to the ballpark, and many of them get crowded and feature a great pre-game scene. There’s a dance floor at Kelly’s Bleachers, a bowling alley at J&B’s Blue Ribbon, and billiards at Steve’s on Blue Mound.
Whether you’re in the parking lot or at a nearby tavern, a Brewers game is an all-day celebration.
American Family Field Tip #4: Try Bernie’s Bombers burgers. Not knocking the bratchos, the loaded baked potatoes or the other great food items at the Brewers’ ballpark, but Bernie’s Bombers is it for burgers…fresh burgers with rotating toppings named for Brewers players or for visiting team cities. The concretes are fantastic too.
The Secret Stadium Sauce is popular at Brewers games, and you can’t go wrong with that on a Wisconsin brat, but check out these great Milwaukee institutions while you’re in the ballpark.
American Family Field Tip #5: Bring the kids. Miller Park is not only very wallet friendly, there are lots of mascots and games for kids. (More about bringing the kids here.)
There’s the Associated Bank Kids Zone where kids can participate in a Sausage Race and sit in a huge glove, and Bernie’s Clubhouse with padded play areas for smaller kids. Not to mention all of the mascots they can pose with and the Helfaer Field playground outside of the ballpark. And of course, there’s lots of sugar in the American Family Field menu.
There you go, five tips for newbies visiting American Family Field in Milwaukee; although, of course I would be remiss if I forgot to mention to be in your seat in the middle of the sixth for that crazy Sausage Race. The fans love it, and you can pose with the racing sausages in the parking lot.
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3 Tips For A Brewers Game With Kids
Posted by Kurt Smith
If you’re a parent, you really should visit American Family Field for a Brewers game with kids; it’s one of the most kid-friendly ballparks in baseball, and the Brewers do a lot to bring in young fans.
Here’s just a few things you should know…
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Brewers Game With Kids, Tip #1) Join The Club. The Brew Crew, like most teams, go after the young ones early with a Kids Club. For a very reasonable fee, your kid gets six ticket vouchers in the Terrace Reserved seats, good for most weekday games. It’s great if you plan to take the little one to the ballpark a few times. (And they’ll probably want to go back.)
The young one also gets a lanyard, a water bottle, a wallet to hold all that money he’s saving on tickets, and a poster, not to mention all of the exclusive stuff like be in a pregame parade, tour the ballpark, and get a picture with the racing sausages. Not a bad deal at all.
It’s very popular, so get on it well before spring training starts.
Brewers Game With Kids, Tip #2) Three Play Areas. On the Field Level at American Family Field is the U.S. Cellular Power Playground, where kids can participate in a race to first base or a small scale Sausage Race, sit in a huge glove or mock-up dugout for a photo, or use the pitching and batting cage. It will definitely keep the little ones occupied for a while.
On the Terrace Level is Bernie Brewer’s Clubhouse, an equally fun play and concession area full of padded stuff for smaller kids. It’s a hike to get there, but if you’re using your Terrace seats from the club you’ll be on that level already.
Outside of the ballpark there is a playground at Helfaer Field too, so the kids can burn off a bunch of energy while you’re waiting for the gates to open.
With all of these places to play here, they might actually want to sit in their seats for the game afterward!
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Brewers Game With Kids, Tip #3) Kid Promotions. The Brewers also run frequent promotions for kids; they can run the bases on Sundays, get autographs from a Brewers player on certain dates, or have their birthday celebration at the game. If you want to run the bases, sitting on the first base side puts you closer to the line.
There are contests to be an announcer for an inning, or pose on the field with a Brewer, listed on the Brewers website. These promotions are popular, so you should hop on them early.
One last thing: when a Brewer hits a home run, poke the kid and tell him to look up to Bernie’s Terrace in upper left field, where Bernie will slide down into the lower terrace. Everyone loves it.
Going to a Brewers game at American Family Field? Find more Brewers game tips here, including tailgating tips, parking tips, and this insane list of Brewers game shuttles!
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3 American Family Field Party Areas
Posted by Kurt Smith
I’ve mentioned elsewhere on this site that Brewers fans love to attend games in groups. If you’re gathering a group and have the means (or a cool employer), you should look into the American Family Field party areas. These are all-inclusive spots with major sponsors that keep the party going even when the game starts, without having to worry about the tab you’re running.
Here are three that I like for various reasons…
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American Family Field Party Areas, #1) The Northwestern Mutual Club. The Northwestern Mutual Club is the located down the left field line in the Club (third) Level. At the Club there is a fancy, carpeted, climate-controlled indoor dining area with décor celebrating team history, and several types of seating outside…from tables and chairs to seats at counters.
These Club tickets include the daily varied premium buffet prepared by the Club chef, which includes a carving station and a gourmet salad station, along with the brats, nachos and popcorn. Two free drinks (beer or wine) are included, and there are bars on the inside and near the seating area outside. There is even an Alex’s Lemonade stand that distributes proceeds to children’s cancer research from lemonade sales.
Like with the other group areas, it sounds expensive to get in, but it’s not bad at a per-person rate. The Club is pretty cool if you have the means, and the view from the seats isn’t half bad.
American Family Field Party Areas, #2) The Associated Bank Check Deck. The Associated Bank Deck is lower than most party areas, but pretty distant from home plate in left center field. This deck has barstools with tables, plenty of space to mingle with fellow bank customers, and general admission seating that overlooks the home team bullpen. It is very close to Bernie’s Slide, so you have that.
The Associated Bank Deck is mostly for groups, who get a decent deal on tickets. The game ticket includes a buffet (with similar items as the rest of the party areas, but with pulled pork and chicken breasts in case that matters to you) that goes until an hour after the first pitch and also includes two beers. There’s a private bar with TVs to watch the game.
And that’s not all; there is a private entrance (adorned with the Bank’s logo and colors) that bank card holders can use regardless of where their seats are. It’s convenient to the east lots of the ballpark and is right there at the seating area when you enter.
American Family Field Party Areas, #3) The Aurora Health Care Bullpen. The Aurora Bullpen is on the field level behind the right field fence, next to the visiting team’s bullpen. The Patio is for groups, although individual tickets are sometimes sold.
The area includes a full bar (outside!), hi-def TVs, and enough tables and barstools and such to accommodate around 75 people. Your group gets a buffet that includes brats, dogs, BBQ chicken sandwiches, mac and cheese, a nacho bar, and two complimentary beers (Blue Moon!).
Tickets go for around $100 a person for the moment, which with a buffet and two beers is a decent value. The view isn’t great through the fence, but it’s a neat place to hang out and feel like a relief pitcher.
That’s three spots where fans gather courtesy of their employer or to celebrate some other occasion with a Brewers game. Lots of fun for all with their baseball. Stay tuned. Check out more Brewers’ ballpark tips here, and be sure to Follow Ballpark E-Guides on Facebook!
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Rogers Centre With Kids – 3 Things to Know
Posted by Kurt Smith
Visiting Rogers Centre with kids can be a blast of a time for them, especially on days when the Jays set up an entire playground in the outside plaza. Here’s three things you should know to make it a memorable day for them…
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Rogers Centre With Kids, Tip #1) Do Jr. Jays Sundays. For the kids, the Jays have Jr. Jays Sundays (or Saturdays, it changes from year to year). Of late they’ve been setting up entire playgrounds on some Sundays, with big inflatable bouncy stuff and entertainment in the plaza outside Gates 10-11.
Definitely get out there early for this…it’s a pretty big setup with games, food, people on stilts playing ball with the kids, etc. Don’t miss it…you might not see it coming from Union Station and you have to walk around the Centre a bit.
Inside the ballpark on Jr. Jays days, they have interactive kids’ areas throughout the concourses, pitching and batting cages, video games, face painting and other fun things to keep the kids occupied.
Without doubt it’s the best day of the week to bring the kids, and it draws a big crowd of families. Running the bases is an extremely popular promotion, so expect to be there a while, or…
Rogers Centre With Kids, Tip #2) Join The Fan Club. The Jr. Jays Kids Club doesn’t give deals on tickets like some teams do (Jays tickets are generally pretty cheap already), but as of 2019, you do get a package with a cap, a backpack, sunglasses, a lanyard, and access to members only events.
If your kid is a big fan, it’s worth it, if only for the front of the line access on Run The Bases days. Lines get very long for that and the little ones may get antsy.
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Rogers Centre With Kids, Tip #3) Bring Your Own. If you’re bringing a family and are on a budget, you can save a ton of cash bringing your own food. (Drinks must be sealed.) The Jays are particularly lenient with this policy; people online tell stories about bringing in whole pizzas. (Bonus if you bring in a Boston Pizza!)
I’ve talked about the multiple “street meat” options here, but you also have lots of choices at Union Station to fill up your goody bag, including the always beloved by kids McDonald’s, if you’re arriving that way.
There’s three tips for taking the young ones to Rogers Centre and teaching them about baseball for a better future. If you’re looking to save on tickets when you do, try this post.
(Need more Rogers Centre help? I got ya! Check out this complete seating guide, some tips for bringing in outside food, and this helpful primer on the best ways to get to a Blue Jays game!)
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3 Tips for Cheap Blue Jays Tickets
Posted by Kurt Smith
If you’re looking to do a Jays game tightwad style, it’s easy enough…there are already lots of cheap Blue Jays tickets to begin with. You need only be willing to sit in the 500 level somewhere.
But if you’re looking to find deals for wherever you’re sitting, here’s three suggestions for you.
(Need more Rogers Centre help? I got ya! Check out this complete seating guide, the best ways to get to the ballpark, some tips for bringing in outside food, and this helpful post for bringing the kids to a Blue Jays game!)
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Cheap Blue Jays Tickets, Tip #1) Use The Box Office. Blue Jays games rarely sell out, especially when the team isn’t in contention. It’s easy enough to order tickets at the box office on game day, saving yourself the considerable online fees.
Here’s a bonus tip for you…the box office close to the Union Station Skywalk is by far the most popular, so try another one to avoid waiting in line. I tried this for a weekend game on a beautiful June day…against the Yankees…and didn’t wait at all.
Cheap Blue Jays Tickets, Tip #2) Use A Third Party. For low demand games especially, you can often find a better deal for tickets on StubHub or with my affiliate friends at Gametime. The Blue Jays sell a lot of multi-game packages, so fans have lots of extras to unload.
Click here to search for Blue Jays tickets at Gametime and tell ‘em Kurt sent you…they are an affiliate of Ballpark E-Guides.
Cheap Blue Jays Tickets, Tip #3) Get A Multi-Game Pack. There are plenty of deals for those willing to splurge on a few games; the Jays will throw in a few perks with multi-game packs too, like Opening Day or postseason ticket offers and discounts in the team shops.
This is a popular choice with locals; if you plan on going to a few Jays games, get a friend to split the cost and you’ll both save some cash.
Those are three tips for getting your hands on cheap Blue Jays tickets…and while I don’t often recommend patronizing scalpers, they do tend to be plentiful here and can offer you a nice deal if the time is right. But you didn’t hear that from me.
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Cheap Seats at Comerica Park | Detroit Tigers
Posted by Kurt Smith
Like all ballparks, the one in Detroit has seating choices for every budget. I go into much more detail about Comerica Park seating here, but here’s some things you should know about the cheap seats at Comerica Park:
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Cheap Seats at Comerica Park, Tip #1) Outfield Seating. The Pavilion seats are behind both teams’ bullpens in left field. The bullpens were placed there to move the ridiculously far fences in to appease grumpy power hitters after the departure of Juan Gonzalez. This makes for a fine view of pitchers warming up for the people in lower seats, but the Big Board is directly behind you and requires a painful neck twist to see, and these seats are very far from home plate.
The Bleachers in right field are benches with no armrests, but they do have backs and are numbered for less of that uncomfortable cheek-sharing. The lower bleachers in right center field can be right up on the action with no bullpens in the way. Keep in mind that in Section 101 you can lose a portion of the outfield.
And then there’s the affordable Kaline’s Corner seats; I’ve talked about those here.
Cheap Seats at Comerica Park, Tip #2) The Mezzanine. On the first base side of the upper level, there is a gap just past first base, created to lower the seating of outer sections. The upper section past the gap is called the Mezzanine; tickets here are among the cheapest and the view is a bit better here than in the left field upper level (now called “Upper Grandstand”). The view of the Big Board and downtown Detroit is much better on the right field side.
The mezzanine concourse area also leads to the party areas in the outfield, and there are three separate areas with picnic tables that can be rented depending on the size of your party. The picnic deck parties include a buffet and mezzanine seats; the price isn’t high at all, if you don’t mind the distance from home plate.
Cheap Seats at Comerica Park, Tip #3) Upper Grandstand/Skyline Seats. The upper level seats down the left field line are called the Upper Grandstand seats; they’re obviously elevated and far from home plate. They’re only a few bucks less than the mezzanine seats; I would far prefer the mezzanine and its view of the impressive Big Board. To see that here requires a neck twist. Nice view of the skyline from here though.
Sections 344 and 345 are called the Skyline seats; they are the cheapest tickets in the ballpark. But it’s probably worth a few extra bucks to get a better ticket, since the left field foul pole will be in your view especially in 345. You might be able to move to a better seat; the Tigers patrol the lower level more strongly.
There’s three tips on cheap seats at Comerica Park for you…go here for much more useful advice for your next Tigers game at Comerica, including how to get there without paying for parking!
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3 More Comerica Park Shuttles
Posted by Kurt Smith
I’ve talked a little bit about the Detroit establishments that offer Comerica Park shuttles here, but there’s enough such places to include in another post, so here’s a few more suggestions…
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Comerica Park Shuttles, #1) Harry’s Bar & Grill. The newly remodeled Harry’s is located across I-75 from the ballpark on Clifford Street; you could probably walk it, but it’s a long walk, and they’ll make it easier for you with a ride.
Harry’s is nicely accessible from all of the nearby major highways. Parking at their lot is free, but it is small and fills up early. If you’re using a shuttle from any tavern you should arrive early anyway, but this doubly applies to Harry’s. Their lot is fenced in and attended like the Tigers’ lots.
Harry’s has some high end items on its menu like creole shrimp pasta and salmon salad, but it is mostly known for its varieties of burgers and a full bar. Harry’s is a popular pre- and post-game spot, and gets crowded on game days.
Comerica Park Shuttles, #2) Tommy’s Detroit Bar & Grill. Tommy’s is located on Third Street, very close to the Joe Louis Arena. It’s in a small building built in 1840, so it survived Prohibition…hmmm. Parking in the adjacent lot is free for Tigers games most nights and the shuttle to games is also free, but there might be a parking charge if something is going on at the arena or the Cobo Center. You can call and ask first.
Tommy’s is cramped in a good way, and there’s actually some history here…the building was actually an outlet for the Underground Railroad. Bartenders are friendly and the burgers and corned beef are very good by most accounts. Fresh hand dipped chicken wings too.
Tommy’s will occasionally have specials that include a meal, game ticket and a ride to the game for a very nice price. Well worth checking out.
You can use the People Mover to get back if you don’t want to wait for the shuttle, but be sure to use the Cobo Center or the Fort/Cass stations.
Comerica Park Shuttles, #3) McShane’s Irish Pub. People talk about Nemo’s being the classic pub where Tiger Stadium sat, but since their bartender was such a jerk to me in my visit, I’m not bothering with them. McShane’s is actually on the corner of Michigan and Trumbull (the old Tiger Stadium site), and it’s an eatery with an outdoor patio, live entertainment and decent drink and appetizer specials. The beer selection, so I’ve read, is a bit better than Nemo’s with some craft brews on tap.
The menu is Irish pub style fare with burgers as the mainstay; I’ve read a lot of good reviews about the food. The grub here is a bit pricier than at Nemo’s, but there’s a better selection too.
At McShane’s there is a charge for their parking lot, but they refund that amount to you in a coupon you can use inside, so it’s essentially free and there’s no cost other than the tip to ride the bus. The bus is also said to be less crowded than Nemo’s.
There’s three more Comerica Park shuttles…if you’re looking for an affordable spot at the game, have a look at this post. Or read this to find some other ways to get to Comerica Park!
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Comerica Park With Kids – 3 Tips
Posted by Kurt Smith
It would be difficult to name a more kid-friendly ballpark than Comerica. Visiting Comerica Park with kids is easier here, what with the extra stuff for them to do.
So here’s a few tips…
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Comerica Park With Kids, Tip #1) Rides! In addition to the carousel in the Big Cat Court and the ferris wheel near the Brushfire Grill, both of which cost a small fee, there are interactive pitching and batting cages under the Pepsi Porch, and near the Big Cat Court are free video game kiosks.
Lines get long for the rides, but if you’re early the kid should be able to go on a couple of times. If you want seats near this stuff, it’s on the first base side.
Comerica Park With Kids, Tip #2) Go on Sunday. Sunday is by far the best day to bring the kids. Kids 14 and under ride the ferris wheel and carousel for free, they’ll get promotional items and face painting, they can register for giveaways and run the bases after the game.
As with the rides, running the bases is very popular, so you’d do well to line them up behind the scoreboard early.
Comerica Park With Kids, Tip #3) Join The Club. The Tigers Kids Club isn’t expensive at all, and the young fan does get a magnet schedule, issues of the Kids Club magazine, and best of all a separate line for running the bases on Sundays (trust me, that alone is worth the price of membership). The Kids Club includes some ticket discounts too.
Comerica Park With Kids, Bonus Tip!) Nursing Moms Welcome. Kids 3 and under get into Comerica free, and the Tigers are one of the few teams that offer a nursing lounge with a TV in the upper level.
Incidentally, by law in Michigan mothers can breastfeed anywhere, and that includes from the seats at Comerica Park.
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There’s a few tips for bringing kids to a Tigers game…stay tuned, I’ve got more, like your cheapest ways to get to the ballpark!
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Nationals Park With Kids – 3 Things To Know (+1!)
Posted by Kurt Smith
If you’re visiting Nationals Park with kids, take advantage of all of the cool stuff the team offers for parents and young fans. Here are my three favorite tips for parents, plus an extra for nursing moms:
(Hey Baseball Fans – Find out how to get cheap tickets, pick a great seat, get to the ballpark and choose what to eat at the game…and save money on all of it! Check out my complete Nationals Park Guide here!)
Nationals Park With Kids, Tip #1) Join The Club. If you sign up the kids in the Junior Nationals MVP Club, in addition to the lanyard, hat, duffel bag and other goodies, you’ll get offers for discounted tickets, and a coupon book with discounts on food and other stuff in the ballpark.
The free membership includes e-mail offers, which would certainly be worth the couple of minutes to sign up. But the paid membership is worth the small price too, if only for front of the line privileges on Run The Bases days. If you plan on having the kids run the bases, sign up…you’ll thank me.
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Nationals Park With Kids, Tip #2) The Presidents’ Race. In the 4th inning, and the 13th if the game goes that long, the likenesses of the Mount Rushmore presidents race from the right field warning track to the finish line near first base.
Be sure to tell your kids not to root for Teddy Roosevelt, because he rarely wins, as documented in the excellent “Let Teddy Win” blog. His defeats are always for some wacky reason…unauthorized use of a feline, pre-game warmup injuries, or dive-bombing a racing sausage when the Brewers come to town.
Nationals Park With Kids, Tip #3) The Family Fun Area. The kids play area here is impressive…it has simulated pitching and batting cages, a playground area with a very cool jungle gym, a picnic area, photo booths and penny press machines. There’s also a “Rookies” concession stand for kids with smaller portions and prices.
Get here early if you can…the racing presidents greet fans here before the game. There are even bobblehead replicas for photo-ops.
Nationals Park With Kids, Bonus Tip! The Nursing Lounge. On the mezzanine level in right field is a very comfortable nursing lounge. It’s a private area with comfy chairs, a play area for toddlers, and TVs for busy moms to watch the game.
My wife tested this room out (she’s legitimate) and had nothing but nice things to say about it. Nice that the Nats are looking after moms for us dads.
There’s three things to know for parents at Nats games, plus one for moms of tiny ones. If you’re looking to save money on Nationals tickets too, be sure to check out this post.
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4 Ways to Score Cheap Nationals Tickets
Posted by Kurt Smith
So you’re looking to score some cheap Nationals tickets? Like with most teams, the Nationals offer ways for you to save a few bucks, especially going to multiple games.
Here’s a few tips for both Nats fans in the area and other Nationals Park visitors:
(Hey Baseball Fans – Find out how to get cheap tickets, pick a great seat, get to the ballpark and choose what to eat at the game…and save money on all of it! Check out my complete Nationals Park Guide here!)
Cheap Nationals Tickets, Tip #1) Team Newsletters. The Nationals make a lot of ticket deals available in their e-mail newsletters, including tickets that include concessions, discounted theme nights, group discounts, etc. You’ll get a weekly e-mail with some offers; check that out before buying from the team website.
Be sure to sign your kids up for the Fan Club memberships too…they’re free and you’ll receive some exclusive offers for them in your inbox too. Well worth a few minutes to sign up.
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Cheap Nationals Tickets, Tip #2) The NatsPass. For big time fans who can attend a few games, the NatsPass allows you to see as many games as you want for a monthly price. You download the MLB Ballpark app, order the pass, and then you’ll have the barcodes on your phone. You won’t even have to remember to bring the tickets.
It’s standing room, but standing room here is actually pretty good and the price is well worth it if you attend, say, three games against the Phillies or Braves.
Click here to check out the NatsPass…
Cheap Nationals Tickets, Tip #3) Go In With A Friend. The Nationals also now have a very cool “Pick ‘Em” plan, where you buy 20 or 40 tickets at a discount and choose how many you want to use (up to eight) at almost any matchup during the season (excepting Opening Day and very popular contests). You can share with a friend or two and save a bunch just going to a few games.
There’s lots of added perks too: Higher priced tickets for this plan include concession credits, it includes Opening Day and concert ticket opportunities, and you’ll have postseason priority should the Nationals so thrive. If you plan on spending a lot of time at Nats Park this summer, definitely check this out.
Cheap Nationals Tickets, Tip #4) Help Your Fellow Washingtonian. The Nationals will have a blood or food drive at the ballpark on occasion; donors receive tickets and a T-shirt. You can tell someone you literally bled for their ticket.
The Nats also give away tickets and other prizes for charitable groups, military types (the Nats are very good about appreciating the military), and other philanthropic folks. Check out the “Community” section of the Nationals website; you may find something you can participate in and be rewarded by the Nats with some tickets.
There’s four helpful tips for saving some cash at your next few Nationals games. If you have any questions, feel free to drop me a line.
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Cheap Seats at Nationals Park
Posted by Kurt Smith
Nationals Park has a wide range of seating options for every budget. You can get into the ballpark for as little as $5 or spend triple digits on premium seats. If you’re looking for cheap seats at Nationals Park, you do have some options…here is what you should know about the budget-priced seating in the place.
(Hey Baseball Fans – Find out how to get cheap tickets, pick a great seat, get to the ballpark and choose what to eat at the game…and save money on all of it! Check out my complete Nationals Park Guide here!)
Cheap Seats at Nationals Park, #1) The Scoreboard Pavilion. Scoreboard Pavilion seats are underneath the scoreboard and cost about the same as the outfield seats below them. You can see the Big Board if you’re willing to turn around, but these seats are the furthest from home plate in the ballpark. Like the right field mezzanine, these are the last to see shade, too.
It’s good for ballpark foodies though…the Pavilion is close to the Danny Meyer eateries, including the Shake Shack, Box Frites fries and El Verano Taqueria nachos. You can also go for some amazing jerk chicken from the Jammin’ Island BBQ.
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Cheap Seats at Nationals Park, #2) Gallery (Upper Deck) Seats. The Upper (400 Level) seats at Nationals Park in general are a bargain, especially when you get down the left field line to the sections past the bases. But be warned…these seats are really up there. At the top of them you can almost wave to pilots.
If you’re not in the best of shape, you can use escalators and elevators to get there, but you’ll still need to ascend a short flight of steps to get to the 400 seats. The concourses are also more subject to the elements…dress warm on colder days.
The concourse on the upper level offers some cool views…you can see the Capitol and Washington Monument on the third base side, and there’s a sweet view of the Anacostia River on the first base side.
Cheap Seats at Nationals Park, #3) Right Field Terrace. The Right Field Terrace seats are up there and out there; don’t be fooled by the 2 in front of the section numbers.
These are among the cheapest seats, but be aware of a few things: you likely won’t be able to see the Big Board and even some of the outfield, these seats get baking hot on summer days and early evenings, and they are far from home plate. It’s especially a hike to get to the Upper Terrace.
You are close to the center field plaza and its food selection here, so it isn’t all bad for a cheap ticket if you’re into the party.
Cheap Seats at Nationals Park, #4) The “Grandstand”. The Nationals don’t publicize it much, but about 400 seats in the Grandstand Sections 401 and 402 go for a very small price (as low as $5) on game day only. These seats aren’t the best obviously, but they’re the cheapest in the ballpark, and you can move around to plenty of acceptable standing room space on most weeknights.
They go on sale at the box office 2.5 hours before game time and you have to enter the park from there; for a low demand game you should have no problem getting one, but get there early for a summer weekend or Orioles matchup.
So if you’re squeezing your ballgame budget, there’s a few choices of cheap seats at Nationals Park. If you’re willing to shell out the cash for something nicer, check this out.
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3 Nationals Park Seating Tips (For Larger Budgets)
Posted by Kurt Smith
Whatever your budget, I’ve got plenty of Nationals Park seating tips for you, whether you want to avoid the sun, be near the cool food choices, or have the best view of the Presidents’ Race.
But if you’ve got a few extra bucks laying around, here are some upper tier priced options for you and what you should know about them.
(Hey Baseball Fans – Find out how to get cheap tickets, pick a great seat, get to the ballpark, and choose what to eat at the game…and save money on all of it! Check out my complete Nationals Park Guide here!)
Gametime has your cheap Nationals tickets…with a lowest price guarantee, panoramic seat view photos, and great last minute deals…even after the game starts!
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Nationals Park Seating Tips, #1) The Dugout Club. There is a small section of very comfortable and large luxury seats next to the Nationals dugout now, making your view even better than the players’. They include a secret entrance with a tunnel, wait service, etc. If you have to ask the price…
Currently these are sponsored by the MGM National Harbor, and are only available to “M Life Rewards Platinum” members. I expect you probably have to lose a lot of money in a casino to access these, but maybe you know someone with such a problem.
Should you be lucky enough to land a seat here, definitely keep an eye on foul balls. They come this way fast.
Nationals Park Seating Tips, #2) Field Level Premium Seating. The padded Delta Club seats are the best butt buckets in the ballpark. They are 22” wide and directly behind home plate. Season ticket holders get parking passes and access to all the clubs, including the Delta Club. The Delta Club features a fine foods buffet and in-seat wait service, all complimentary, even the beer, wine and desserts.
These seats, even with D.C. parking thrown in, are still overpriced for any team in my opinion. You might be able to find a deal from Gametime; try to get tickets from a season ticket holder before buying from the team. (Note: that is an affiliate link you just passed. Thanks for your support!)
The PNC Diamond seats are about half the price of the Delta seats and allow access to the PNC Lounge. Only season ticket holders have access to the actual PNC Club itself, so try getting tickets from one through a third party. The PNC Club also offers a buffet, in-seat wait service, and complimentary beer and wine. The earlier you arrive, the better your chances at an outside table with a great view.
If you can stand looking at richer people sitting in front of you, the PNC Diamond seats are a better deal.
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Nationals Park Seating Tips, #3) The Club Level. The cushioned club level seats are on the mezzanine level between the bases. These seats are reasonable given all the perks; the view is decent, for one, especially since the upper deck is way up there. The upper rows of seats past Row E are covered by the elements, no small thing on a D.C. summer day. Not to mention access to a climate-controlled club to escape the heat.
The Norfolk Southern Club is a large, indoor concourse with lots of food and drink options like pulled pork and brisket sandwiches, a carvery and sushi bar, and Enzo’s pizza. It’s decorated with a railroad theme, including a scoreboard with model trains to keep track of the action on the field. There is even a cool Homestead Grays Pub full-service bar, named for the Negro League team that played in Washington.
The food isn’t included with the ticket price like with the more premium seats, but you pay a lot extra for that “free” buffet there. And the Shake Shack and other cool food spots aren’t far away from the first base entrance of the Club.
There you go, some cool options for a Nationals game if you’ve got the means. If you still think it’s way too much to spend to see a ballgame, check out this bit about the cheap seats at Nats Park.
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3 Yankee Stadium Standing Room Tips
Posted by Kurt Smith
In the tradition of making ballparks more millennial friendly, the Yankees ripped out a bunch of seats for the 2017 season and created several new standing room options. This is in addition to the assigned standing room areas that already existed in the ballpark, so Yankee Stadium is now a much nicer place to wander around in after buying a cheap ticket.
You can now get a “Pinstripe Pass” standing room ticket, which is a very inexpensive ticket with your first beer or Pepsi product included. At ballpark prices, that’s almost like getting into the ballpark for free.
Yankee Stadium Standing Room Tip #1: Field Level. The reserved standing room tickets on the field level aren’t as bad a deal as you might think looking at the price (you can’t access this with a Pinstripe Pass). There are barstools and counters, and in most spots you have a pretty nice view of the field and scoreboard.
The Yankees call is “café seating”, and it’s restricted to ticket holders. Nice and shaded, and easy to run for a beer or garlic fries from your spot.
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Yankee Stadium Standing Room Tip #2: Outfield Areas. The Yankees tore out the bleachers sections with obstructed views…a smart move given that fans lost half the view of the field there…and these are now standing room areas with their own bar, drink rails, and barstool seats.
You even have some specialty food and craft beer options with the money you’ve saved on your cheap ticket.
The best part is that these areas are close to the bullpens (the visitors bullpen is in left field), making it a great place to offer some friendly encouragement.
Yankee Stadium Standing Room Tip #3: Avoid The Terrace Level SRO. I don’t know if the Yankees sell standing room tickets that are designated for the Terrace level anymore, but just get a Pinstripe Pass instead and stake out a better spot.
The Terrace standing areas are behind the handicapped seating, which is almost always occupied, and you need to be about 11 feet tall if you want a decent view of the infield. You’ll probably dislike the view enough to move.
There’s three Yankee Stadium standing room tips for you…click here for more cheap seating options. Remember Yankee Stadium has open concourses, so should your spot not be everything you dreamed of, there are plenty of places to view the game from your feet.
Click here to read my complete guide to Yankee Stadium!
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Cheap Seats at Yankee Stadium
Posted by Kurt Smith
Believe it or not, there are cheap seats at Yankee Stadium. They’re just farther from the field than in most ballparks. If you’re on a budget, you can actually find some decent deals, especially if you subscribe to the team newsletter.
Here are three levels of less expensive seats…click here to read about standing room options, or take a look at my highly detailed Yankee Stadium seating guide!
Cheap Seats at Yankee Stadium, Tip #1: The Terrace Level. The seats on the lower tier of the upper level cost considerably more than the Grandstand seats, and there aren’t too many of them in the infield, those being the “Jim Beam suite seats”.
Considering that seats a few rows behind them can be almost half of the price, at full price it might not be worth it. But the Yankees do offer deals on these seats, including occasional $5 seat nights. (Their newsletter will alert you to these coveted events.)
For the moment the Yankees have turned Sections 305-306…the two sections all the way out in right field…into “All You Care to Eat” sections. It’s just dogs, sausages, pretzels and Pepsi products, but that’s baseball food. If you’re not picky it can save you a few bucks.
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Cheap Seats at Yankee Stadium, Tip #2, The Grandstand. Grandstand upper deck seats cost about the same as the Bleacher seats, but with less noise and a nice panoramic view of the ballpark and amazing Jumbotron. Grandstand seats are pretty well up there though, higher than in most ballparks.
The Yankees’ website will mark some tickets as “obstructed view”, meaning there could be a railing or traffic in front of you. Usually it’s not terrible enough to reject the tickets if you have no other option.
Yankee Stadium has 16 elevators, eight of which are in the Great Hall, so no need to trek all the way up the lengthy ramps or stairs. You won’t wait long for an elevator. You will need to ascend a flight of stairs to get to your seats though, so keep this in mind if you have mobility issues.
Cheap Seats at Yankee Stadium, Tip #3: The Bleachers. The Yankees brought the bleacher seats from the original Stadium…hard metal, backless and all, although they are now placed behind bullpens or more expensive field seats.
Seats in right field are home of the Bleacher Creatures and the nightly “roll call”, chanting each player’s name at the start of the game until the player acknowledges them. The Bleacher Creatures are in Sections 202-203.
Bleacher seats are among the cheapest seats in the Stadium, but the view isn’t terrible and you are close to the bullpens. This is New York, though, and the right field bleachers probably aren’t a place for someone with rabbit ears or opposing team’s gear. Left field might be a better place for the family.
It can get very hot during day games here, as you can imagine. Good to bring a hat and sunscreen.
Want to know about getting tickets, parking and food at Yankee Stadium? Check out my complete Yankee Stadium guide!
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Can You Bring Food Into Yankee Stadium?
Posted by Kurt Smith
The short answer to whether you can bring food into Yankee Stadium is yes, you can. The Yankees allow a 16*16*8 soft-sided bag with just about anything you want, save for alcoholic beverages and anything that can be used as a projectile. Slice your apples.
But since Ballpark E-Guides always takes the extra base for readers, I’m offering a few suggestions here for getting your pre-game feedbag on before going into Yankee Stadium (read this to choose your parking spot accordingly):
Bring Food Into Yankee Stadium, Tip #1: The Bullpen Deli. The Bullpen Deli has a terrific selection of food stuffs for your sandwich or wrap, and some of the sandwiches have Yankee-themed names like the Steinbrenner Blast or the Yankee Fajita. The sandwiches/wraps are very affordable, and if you want you can order a container of pepper steak or something like that. Good salads by most accounts too, and good portions all. Boar’s Head meats, just like in the Stadium, but for much less.
The Bullpen is the home of the Twin Donut shop, so you can add donuts to your bag. The donuts aren’t anything super special (Online folks say the Crown Diner is better for sweets), but if Dunkin or Krispy is good enough for you, these should be just fine.
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Bring Food Into Yankee Stadium, Tip #2: The Court Deli. The aptly named Court Deli (it’s near the Bronx Courthouse) was recommended to me by the inimitable Gary Herman, money-saving sports fan extraordinaire. It’s not what you’d call gourmet dining, but you can get a pretty good-sized pastrami sandwich for far less than what you’d pay inside the ballpark.
The Court Deli is about a block and a half away from the Stadium…just enough so that it gets a little but not too crowded on game days. You can get your sandwich here without too long a wait before gametime.
Bring Food Into Yankee Stadium, Tip #3: The New Stadium Gourmet Deli. Catchy name, eh? If you’re going to a day game there are breakfast sandwiches in this place, which are good-sized and built on croissants, bagels or whatever. But the lunch sandwiches are no slouch either, with fairly hefty amounts of meat in a submarine or panini roll.
Again, all for an affordable price. I might prefer the Bullpen or Court Deli for lunch, but if you’ve got a hankering for an authentic NYC bagel breakfast sandwich before a day game, this might be your spot.
There are also plenty of hot dog and halal food (!) carts, including a couple of carts selling honey roasted almonds and cashews, as good a ballgame snack as any. By all means get your bottled waters out here at one of these…they’re usually a dollar compared to a finski inside. Get a few, you’ll be thirsty.
There’s a few ways for you to eat cheaply at Yankee Stadium, but you can also eat very well inside the ballpark too. Have a look at my detailed Yankee Stadium food guide, or check out my complete Yankee Stadium guide for all of the info you need!
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3 Ways To Score Cheap Tigers Tickets
Posted by Kurt Smith
The Detroit Tigers are a pretty wallet and family friendly team by baseball standards. There are quite a few ways to score cheap Tigers tickets and enjoy an affordable game at Comerica Park.
Here are just three recommendations courtesy of Ballpark E-Guides. By the way, if you’re going cheap, check out how to avoid driving there and parking here!
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Cheap Tigers Tickets, Tip #1) Join The Club. The Tigers have a fan club for kids, but I only see team newsletters for adults…but those newsletters often feature some great deals, so that’s well worth signing up for.
Membership in the fan club includes some gear, a newsletter with discounted ticket offers, and some buy-one-get-one vouchers. If you’re flexible about which games you can attend, the discounts will probably be worth the cost of membership, and you get some cool stuff too.
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Cheap Tigers Tickets, Tip #2) Use Your Comerica Card. If you have an account with Comerica Bank, you can use it to get discounts on tickets. It’s only a few bucks, but customers get some other perks too (it used to include discounts at Cheli’s Bar, but since Cheli’s is no more maybe there’s something else). The Tigers will even let you use a separate, line-free entrance. Check with your bank and see if they have other offers…
Cheap Tigers Tickets, Tip #3) Get Your Monthly Pass. If you can make it to six or seven games in a month’s time…even in July…the Tigers offer a monthly pass for your smartphone that allows you to go to every game that month. Great for savings, say, when the Yankees or another divisional rival is in town…see the whole series at an affordable price. The Tigers will let you upgrade your seats on occasion too.
There’s three helpful tips for landing some cheap tickets for a game at beautiful Comerica Park in Detroit. Stay tuned, I’ll be posting more ways to save money here…
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4 Comerica Park Restaurants
Posted by Kurt Smith
There are four bona fide Comerica Park restaurants, as in conveniently located, inside the ballpark sit-down eateries. Before (and sometimes after) the game, fans can enjoy a meal and a drink or two with a view, or at least with TVs to watch.
Here are four places to get your sit down grub on at Comerica:
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Comerica Park Restaurants, #1) The Beer Hall. The Beer Hall is on the corner of Montcalm and Brush Street, and it was something of a tucked away secret entrance in the past to avoid main entrance lines (you might still be able to try it). It has a 70-foot bar and wooden picnic tables, for that baseball festive atmosphere.
The menu features grilled Angus burgers, Philly cheesesteaks, and pulled pork sandwiches, and there are lots of local and domestic beers on tap, hence the name.
Comerica Park Restaurants, #2) The Corner Tap Room. The Corner is located near the main entrance with the big tiger statue. It’s dedicated to the memory of Tiger Stadium, with pictures and memorabilia and such. They have indoor and outdoor dining here, but the outdoor option is on a sidewalk in a parking lot, so the indoor option with the cool décor is better.
At the Corner you can choose from an “urban bistro” style menu; last I checked they had a grilled PB&J (!) and a footlong bacon-wrapped dog. Could be different by the time you visit, but I can tell you it’s fancier stuff than most ballpark food.
Comerica Park Restaurants, #3) The Brushfire Grill. The Brushfire is sponsored by Fox Sports as I write this, but it changes a lot. I think it might be called the 313 BBQ by now. It’s mostly just a food court with a big food stand on the side, but that counts.
At the Brushfire there is a pork and beef brisket smoker for above-average BBQ sandwiches, along with burgers and dogs. Get a basket value meal with slaw, chips and a pickle.
They’ve got black bean veggie burgers too, so you can sell it to your vegetarian friends.
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Comerica Park Restaurants, #4) The Miller Lite Pitcher’s Pub. You have to go upstairs and in the outfield for this one, so you can work up an appetite just getting there.
The Miller Lite Pitcher’s Pub is a larger sit-down eatery with a full bar; the menu is mostly fancy appetizers named for pitching phrases…the “Intentional Walk” is sloppy Joe stuffed potato skins with queso and scallions, for example.
The Pub is good for just getting a snack on, and you can hang out outside at the nearby Pepsi Porch afterward. And still have an appetite left over for this stuff.
There you go; four restaurants at Comerica Park with something to offer for everyone. If you want to know about what to eat inside the ballpark, check out this post. And read this for how to get to the ballpark without paying for parking!
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Rogers Centre Nachos – 4 (Very) Different Types
Posted by Kurt Smith
I wouldn’t say that the home of the Blue Jays tops the list in ballparks known for culinary greatness, although they have definitely improved things in recent years. But that there are several different editions of Rogers Centre nachos is impressive to me; chips with stuff piled on them go over pretty well here.
Here are three places where you can get a piled mess of food on chips at the ballpark in Toronto:
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Rogers Centre Nachos, #1) The Muddy York Market. The Muddy York is the large food court at Rogers, and there’s a separate nachos stand where you can actually customize your plate of nachos.
Get a plate of smoked jerk chicken nachos with cheddar cheese sauce, pico de gallo, cole slaw (!), green onions and infused sour cream. Or pile on your own stuff, with toppings like cheese, chicken, salsa, corn, jalapenos, etc. Sour cream and guacamole cost extra (as always)…
Rogers Centre Nachos, #2) The King Club. At the Budweiser King Club bar area behind home plate is a carved meat station, and you can order “Bases Loaded Nachos”. These babies are covered with beef brisket, BBQ sauce, jalapenos, caramelized onions, pico de gallo, three bean chili (!), and something called “pepper infused sour cream”.
The Muddy York Market has BBQ nachos too, but they’re not as BBQ, if that makes sense.
Rogers Centre Nachos, #3) The 12 Kitchen. The 12 Kitchen is named for star Jays (and Orioles!) second baseman and Hall of Famer Roberto Alomar, and has more of a Latin theme in its food. 12 nachos are made with a mix of plantain and tortilla chips (and rightly so, personally I don’t get the kettle chips thing), covered with adobo spiced chicken, queso franco, guacamole, sour cream and green onions.
Rogers Centre Nachos, #4) Intentional Guac. The Intentional Guac stand is located on the upper level as I write this, sparing SkyDeck patrons a trip down long ramps to the other nachos. And they’re perfectly serviceable nachos in their own right. It’s the gooey cheese type substance and un-pickled jalapenos, but you do get pico de gallo, beans and corn on them. And appropriately given the name of the stand, guac is available too.
The ingredients for these nachos plates could change when you visit, but as I write this these are the three distinct food stands where you can get some variation of nachos at Rogers Centre. It’s among the more popular non-hot dog foods inside this ballpark…but many fans go for the street meat outside too.
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