Published: Wednesday, July 20, 2011
Out to the ballgame
AquaSox game is a fun family event
-
For The Weekly Herald/JENNIFER BUCHANAN
Micah Chen of Woodinville, then 11 years old, watches as the AquaSox warm up before the start of a 2008 game.
Stoke the dreams of your young slugger, or simply enjoy a less-stress day at the ballpark -- it’s easy, and cheaper, at an Everett AquaSox game.
“Really our focus is making it affordable and fun for families,” said Katie Crawford, director of community relations for the ball club.
Players with the minor-league team who may one day become Seattle Mariners are accessible to fans, whether signing autographs before games or scooping ice cream for root beer floats.
“We have that smaller and more intimate ball park. … It really makes it a much more personal experience for families,” Crawford said.
That intimacy was a big draw for the Sarver family, which now attends games all season as a host family to three AquaSox players.
“We used to be Mariners season-ticket holders, and we just started enjoying the AquaSox -- especially with a little one,” said Stacy Sarver, of Everett’s Silver Lake neighborhood. “It’s just such a warm family environment. So we ended up dropping our Mariners season tickets.”
Countless games and demonstrations between innings keep everyone’s interest, Sarver said.
Five-year-old Linus has fun in a bouncy house if the game starts to drag, while 12-year-old Eric sings during the seventh-inning stretch. The family scans for scouts watching promising players, and they keep half an eye out for former Mariner Jay Buhner, who sometimes attends as a part-owner of the AquaSox.
“For parents, it’s more peace of mind,” Sarver said. “You don’t have the stress of the parking and (telling the kids) ‘you have to sit here the entire time.’”
Eric plays infield with the Seattle Bombers, a select youth baseball team that practices out of the Northwest Baseball and Softball Academy facility in Lynnwood.
Eric said he learns a lot by watching the AquaSox. He observes how they warm up, then tries their techniques before his own games.
“When they make some plays, I kind of visualize myself making the play,” he added. Most recently, at the July 17 game, “Marcus Littlewood hit a walk-off home run on the very first pitch.”
Games are relatively cheap, with tickets ranging from $7 to $17. And with promotions all over the place, paying full price is easily avoidable.
For example, Haggen shoppers can turn a purchase of three dairy items into a free general admission ticket for a Sunday game.
The Daily Herald sponsors the club’s “2 for $26 Wednesdays” deal, which includes upper-box tickets, hot dogs, pop and chips for two. You can purchase more than one deal at a time.
BECU Family Nights offer field-box tickets for $5 on select Wednesdays, an $8 savings.
And if you plan more than one outing, it might be worth signing up junior for Webbly’s Future Frogs club. The club, for kids age 12 and younger, includes free tickets to Sunday games along with a T-shirt and other swag.
A premium membership also includes Monday games.
Keep in mind, even a minor-league baseball game can go long. And not all children may be up for the event, even with distractions.
Most weekday games start at many kids’ bed times; only Sunday games start in the afternoon.
The Bartlett family enjoyed their first AquaSox game earlier this season when 13-year-old Katie sang the national anthem. They’d like to go again, but it was a bit long for 5-year-old Matthew; and 11-year-old Alex, who has autism, was a bit overwhelmed, said Ginni Bartlett, of Everett.
“If you go, it’s longer than you think it’s going to be,” Bartlett advised. “So bring cushions to sit on; and bring blankets, because when the sun gets down it gets cold.”
No outside food or drinks are allowed either, a league rule.
But prices are decent and there are a lot of choices, Bartlett said. “It’s not just hot dogs.”
The Sarver boys recommend the kids meals, which come with a hot dog, chips and drink. And they especially recommend the Dippin’ Dots ice cream, which is served in miniature baseball helmets.
“It’s never a dull time,” Stacy Sarver said.
Headin’ out to the ballgame?
Some tips for families:
• Kids under age 3 are free if they sit on a lap
• Strollers must be small enough to keep out of walkways. So if you must drag the jogger, get general admission tickets and park it at the top of the lawn
• Diaper changing tables are in all bathrooms; family restrooms are behind home plate next to the First Aid Station
• There is no area set aside for nursing mothers, but staff say there are plenty of places to get away from the hubbub
• Guests are encouraged to seek autographs up until 20 minutes prior to the game down the left-field line in the general admission bleachers
• While Fido might be family to you, unless he’s a service animal he’s not allowed in the park. The exception is Bark in the Park, this year on Aug. 10
• Baby food is OK, but people with dietary restrictions who want to bring in food should call first for clearance
• Some kids are afraid of mascots. Give your shy tyke a heads up to keep an eye out for not one but three of them at the stadium: Webbly the Frog, Frank the Hot Dog and Pop Fly
• Arrive early to snag free parking in the South Lot or North Lot. Gates open one hour before game time
• If the game stinks, head to the Fun Zone for a bounce house, speed-pitch game and hoop shot (tickets are $1 each or $7 for unlimited play)
• Expect a passel of fees if you buy tickets online. Avoid them by buying ahead at the box office weekdays or at ticket windows on game day. Staff say buying general admission tickets at the gate is usually a safe bet
• Tickets are non-refundable but if there’s a rain-out in our soggy summer, tickets are good for any other game
More information on events, promotions and tickets is at www.aquasox.com.
Upcoming events
• July 31: Mascot Mania with a special appearance from Diego of the Nickelodeon cartoon. Also an autism awareness day; there will be a no-mascot zone.
• Aug. 7: Root Beer Float Day; $6 for all-you-can-drink floats in keepsake cup. AquaSox players will be scooping and pouring before the game. Proceeds go to club’s community fund.
• Aug. 10: Bark in the Park is the one game a year when pets are allowed. Dog performance groups give demonstrations between innings.
“Really our focus is making it affordable and fun for families,” said Katie Crawford, director of community relations for the ball club.
Players with the minor-league team who may one day become Seattle Mariners are accessible to fans, whether signing autographs before games or scooping ice cream for root beer floats.
“We have that smaller and more intimate ball park. … It really makes it a much more personal experience for families,” Crawford said.
That intimacy was a big draw for the Sarver family, which now attends games all season as a host family to three AquaSox players.
“We used to be Mariners season-ticket holders, and we just started enjoying the AquaSox -- especially with a little one,” said Stacy Sarver, of Everett’s Silver Lake neighborhood. “It’s just such a warm family environment. So we ended up dropping our Mariners season tickets.”
Countless games and demonstrations between innings keep everyone’s interest, Sarver said.
Five-year-old Linus has fun in a bouncy house if the game starts to drag, while 12-year-old Eric sings during the seventh-inning stretch. The family scans for scouts watching promising players, and they keep half an eye out for former Mariner Jay Buhner, who sometimes attends as a part-owner of the AquaSox.
“For parents, it’s more peace of mind,” Sarver said. “You don’t have the stress of the parking and (telling the kids) ‘you have to sit here the entire time.’”
Eric plays infield with the Seattle Bombers, a select youth baseball team that practices out of the Northwest Baseball and Softball Academy facility in Lynnwood.
Eric said he learns a lot by watching the AquaSox. He observes how they warm up, then tries their techniques before his own games.
“When they make some plays, I kind of visualize myself making the play,” he added. Most recently, at the July 17 game, “Marcus Littlewood hit a walk-off home run on the very first pitch.”
Games are relatively cheap, with tickets ranging from $7 to $17. And with promotions all over the place, paying full price is easily avoidable.
For example, Haggen shoppers can turn a purchase of three dairy items into a free general admission ticket for a Sunday game.
The Daily Herald sponsors the club’s “2 for $26 Wednesdays” deal, which includes upper-box tickets, hot dogs, pop and chips for two. You can purchase more than one deal at a time.
BECU Family Nights offer field-box tickets for $5 on select Wednesdays, an $8 savings.
And if you plan more than one outing, it might be worth signing up junior for Webbly’s Future Frogs club. The club, for kids age 12 and younger, includes free tickets to Sunday games along with a T-shirt and other swag.
A premium membership also includes Monday games.
Keep in mind, even a minor-league baseball game can go long. And not all children may be up for the event, even with distractions.
Most weekday games start at many kids’ bed times; only Sunday games start in the afternoon.
The Bartlett family enjoyed their first AquaSox game earlier this season when 13-year-old Katie sang the national anthem. They’d like to go again, but it was a bit long for 5-year-old Matthew; and 11-year-old Alex, who has autism, was a bit overwhelmed, said Ginni Bartlett, of Everett.
“If you go, it’s longer than you think it’s going to be,” Bartlett advised. “So bring cushions to sit on; and bring blankets, because when the sun gets down it gets cold.”
No outside food or drinks are allowed either, a league rule.
But prices are decent and there are a lot of choices, Bartlett said. “It’s not just hot dogs.”
The Sarver boys recommend the kids meals, which come with a hot dog, chips and drink. And they especially recommend the Dippin’ Dots ice cream, which is served in miniature baseball helmets.
“It’s never a dull time,” Stacy Sarver said.
Headin’ out to the ballgame?
Some tips for families:
• Kids under age 3 are free if they sit on a lap
• Strollers must be small enough to keep out of walkways. So if you must drag the jogger, get general admission tickets and park it at the top of the lawn
• Diaper changing tables are in all bathrooms; family restrooms are behind home plate next to the First Aid Station
• There is no area set aside for nursing mothers, but staff say there are plenty of places to get away from the hubbub
• Guests are encouraged to seek autographs up until 20 minutes prior to the game down the left-field line in the general admission bleachers
• While Fido might be family to you, unless he’s a service animal he’s not allowed in the park. The exception is Bark in the Park, this year on Aug. 10
• Baby food is OK, but people with dietary restrictions who want to bring in food should call first for clearance
• Some kids are afraid of mascots. Give your shy tyke a heads up to keep an eye out for not one but three of them at the stadium: Webbly the Frog, Frank the Hot Dog and Pop Fly
• Arrive early to snag free parking in the South Lot or North Lot. Gates open one hour before game time
• If the game stinks, head to the Fun Zone for a bounce house, speed-pitch game and hoop shot (tickets are $1 each or $7 for unlimited play)
• Expect a passel of fees if you buy tickets online. Avoid them by buying ahead at the box office weekdays or at ticket windows on game day. Staff say buying general admission tickets at the gate is usually a safe bet
• Tickets are non-refundable but if there’s a rain-out in our soggy summer, tickets are good for any other game
More information on events, promotions and tickets is at www.aquasox.com.
Upcoming events
• July 31: Mascot Mania with a special appearance from Diego of the Nickelodeon cartoon. Also an autism awareness day; there will be a no-mascot zone.
• Aug. 7: Root Beer Float Day; $6 for all-you-can-drink floats in keepsake cup. AquaSox players will be scooping and pouring before the game. Proceeds go to club’s community fund.
• Aug. 10: Bark in the Park is the one game a year when pets are allowed. Dog performance groups give demonstrations between innings.