Take Me Out to the Ballpark

Take Me Out to the Ballpark
Take Me Out to the Ballpark /

Arizona Diamondbacks / Logan Schayes, Kid Reporter

Since it is so hot in Phoenix in the summer, the first thing that makes the park really cool is that it has a roof that closes so the ballpark can be air conditioned. And for some lucky fans, there is a swimming pool behind the rightfield wall. But the thing that I like the best is a gigantic moving sculpture in the front of the stadium. It is one of those things that has ramps, jumps, and lots of moving parts -- dozens of balls continually go up and down ramps, through spinners, over teeter totters, and all around. I can watch it for hours!


Atlanta Braves / Jillian Carroll, Kid Reporter

At Turner Field, the fans are eager to do the tomahawk chop while watching the 27-foot long neon tomahawk sign light up above the jumbotron. I especially enjoyed the view from a suite during the Fourth of July All-American Fireworks Spectacular after an exciting Braves home game.


Baltimore Orioles / Charlie, 9, Maryland

Try to get seats high up because you can see everything! Or sit near the bullpen or dugout, where it is easy to get an autograph. Always get Carvel Ice Cream! And try to meet The Bird because he can lead the Orioles to a magical win!


Boston Red Sox / Tommy, 11, Utah

Check out the "Lone Red Seat" in rightfield, where a Ted Williams home run, the longest in Fenway history, landed. If you get that seat, you will feel like the most special fan in the stadium.


Chicago Cubs / Zach, 13, lowa

The ivy on the outfield wall is one of the most recognizable scenes in sports and my favorite part of Wrigley Field. The green, manually operated scoreboard is a reminder of sports before video screens.


Chicago White Sox / Chris, 12, Michigan

You have to go to the Fundamentals Deck in leftfield, where you can run around the bases on a diamond that's just the right size for kids while you watch the game.


Cincinnati Reds / Jacob, 12, Ohio

There are smoke stacks in centerfield with misting stations when it gets hot. They shoot fire when a Reds pitcher gets a strikeout and also shoot fireworks after a Reds home run or a win!


Cleveland Indians / Jimmy, 9, Ohio

You want to sit along the third base line -- that is a great way to get an autograph. And you can't forget about the awesome hot dogs by Sugardale.


Colorado Rockies / Jacob, 9, Wyoming

Sit in the outfield because you can catch a home run. There are a lot of them. You never know what is going to happen at Coors Field!


Detroit Tigers / Ellie, 11, Michigan

After games on Sundays, kids age 14 and under can run the bases! There is also a baseball Ferris wheel and a tiger carousel.


Houston Astros / Devin, 6, Texas

There's a place where you can run from third base to home, and they time how fast you run. And whenever the Astros hit a home run, a train carrying oranges moves along the track.


Kansas City Royals / Julia Maddock, Kid Reporter

Kauffman Stadium is known for its amazing architecture. And it was once home to the world's largest HD video screen (called Crown Vision) until it was surpassed by Cowboys Stadium. Also, nothing beats the world famous Kansas City barbecue that is served throughout the park!


Los Angeles Angels / Daniel, 10, California

You can see a replica of the 2002 World Series trophy and check out the photos of the players on the walls.


Los Angeles Dodgers / Andrew Wild, Kid Reporter

Dodger Stadium is the perfect understated ballpark. Nothing says Dodgers baseball like seeing the THINK BLUE sign in the hills in the distance.


Miami Marlins / Matt, 10, Wisconsin

You have to check out the amazing bobblehead museum. It has statues of your team's greatest players. And don't forget to look at the fish tanks, as well as the big sculpture in leftfield.


Milwaukee Brewers / Adam, 11, Wisconsin

With a 25-foot-high climbing wall and Bernie going down the slide every time a Brewer hits a home run, Miller Park is the best!


Minnesota Twins / Noah, 10, Minnesota

You have to take your picture in the giant gold glove. The name of every Twins Gold Glove winner is written on it.


New York Mets / Julia Morrill, SIK associate editor

I eat at Shake Shack when I go to Citi Field. The line is really long, but they make one of the best burgers in New York!


New York Yankees / Kevin, 10, New York

Always try to check out Monument Park and take a walk through Yankees history in the Yankees Museum.


Oakland A's / Albert Chen, SI writer

If you're lucky, you'll spot professional cheerleader Krazy George Henderson. (He'll likely be banging a drum or playing the banjo.) He claims to be the inventor of the wave!


Philadelphia Phillies / Jake, 9, Pennsylvania

The best part is the neon Liberty Bell that moves and flashes colors when the Phillies hit a home run.


Pittsburgh Pirates / Scott, 11, Pennsylvania

The best features are the hedges in centerfield that spell Pirates, and the skyscrapers and bridges that make an amazing view in the background.


St. Louis Cardinals / Logan, 13, Illinois

Don't be afraid to try their honey mustard dogs. They are the best. Also, in centerfield there is a kids area with batting cages and other baseball machines.


San Diego Padres / Jeremy Repanich, SIK reporter-producer

Just outside the right-centerfield wall there's a giant sandbox where you can build a castle and shout at an outfielder 50 feet away.


San Francisco Giants / Veronica Louise Mendoza, Kid Reporter

My absolute favorite part of AT&T Park is the giant baseball mitt and Coca Cola bottle slide in the Fan Lot. The symbols of the glove and the soda represent America's pastime. And enjoy a classic San Francisco favorite, the Ghirardelli sundae!


Seattle Mariners / Nathan, 12, Alberta, Canada

Bring your DS to a game and head to the stand with the Nintendo sign. Hook your DS up to the stadium network and put in your seat number. You can take photos from your seat. They might show up on the jumbotron.


Tampa Bay Rays / Nate, 12, Florida

The Rays Touch Tank is located just beyond the right-centerfield wall. You can actually pet a real, live ray!


Texas Rangers / Davis, 11, Texas

In centerfield there is a lawn where a lot of home run balls go. You can jump out of your seat and try to get a ball if you sit close enough to it.


Toronto Blue Jays / Peter Martin, SIK reporter

The cool thing about the Rogers Centre is that you can sleep over in it (sort of). It has a hotel inside that overlooks the field. And there are many other restaurants that look out onto the field as well.


Washington Nationals / Bailey, 10, Ohio

They have racing presidents: Lincoln, Washington, Jefferson, Roosevelt, and Taft. During the middle of the fourth inning, they race around the warning track from centerfield to first base.



Published