There is no better way to celebrate the end of summer than
with a baseball game. My nine year old
grandson and I had a grand time at the last home game of the NJ Jackals that play at Yogi Berra Stadium at Montclair State University. Wow, what a night! Yes, this blog article is a little late
– the game was a few weeks ago, but I wanted to share the experience and encourage grandparents to consider this kind of
local activity. The stadium was very
accessible, the cost was reasonable and the size and layout of the stadium
allowed the kids freedoms and experience that they would not have in a major
league stadium.
First of all the stadium was beautiful and immaculately
clean. Since it was on a “Fan
Appreciation” night the hot dogs and sodas were $2 each. It was a perfect weather night, and we got
there early to take advantage of this super bargain. We sat at the tables overlooking the stadium
and got to see both team players warming up.
Then we bought popcorn and went to our first row seats overlooking first
base. We got the see every player who
got to first base and those who tried and didn’t quite make it. We also got an up close look at the first
base coaches talking with the mostly young players.
But here was the best feature of this location. The stadium's only bullpen that both
teams use was just to the right of
us and above it was a big grassy knoll.
Kids gathered there and once in a while the pitchers threw a ball up
onto the field and the kids scrambled to catch one of these balls. My grandson got a ball that popped up near
first base. What a souvenier to bring
home.
And then there was more!
Since it was the last home game of the season there was a fireworks
display that was fantastic! Lighting up
the sky after the seventh inning it was just a spectacular almost ending to the
evening.
This night
out at the ball game was great fun and a super value.
I can’t wait to do it again next year.
I recommend you check out one of these league baseball teams for a
old fashioned fun evening.
