Take Me Out to the School Day Game!

A packed group of kids attending a Schaumburg Boomers game, photo by Michael Rusignuolo.

Scientists interested in such things trade arguments between the 1883 eruption at Krakatoa and the 1997 sub-oceanic bloop as the loudest noises ever recorded by man. I'd like to throw a third contender into the ring: The sound of any mascot giving away a t-shirt at a "School Day" event in a full ballpark. After a recent week of baseball travels during these events, I know that my hearing might never be the same.

WHAT ARE SCHOOL DAYS?

Variously named "School Days," "Education Days," or some improvisation on that theme, promotional events where teams offer blocks of discounted tickets to educational institutions in their area, usually in early- to mid-May at independent or low-minor league affiliated baseball. The events line up with the waning of the school year when field trips and other fun events are common. 

Although the teams aren't getting full price for every butt in a seat, this is a win-win, as it helps fill the park at the start of the season (which begins later than MLB and other upper-level leagues), giving an early boost to their attendance numbers, as well as spinning the turnstiles for weekday games, which can otherwise often see poor tallies.

Students wave their hands for a free t-shirt at a Gary Railcats game, photo by Michael Rusignuolo.

WHAT DOES IT MEAN FOR YOU?

Whether you're just looking to catch a late spring game, or you're on a whole trip collecting new ballparks, School Day events have some very important ramifications.

Check the time.

School Day events generally have absurd start times as early as 10 AM, though they usually start between 11 AM and noon. Unless you are a Beantown diehard on Patriot's Day, that's not when you'd normally expect to see a ballgame. You need to roll out of bed and get yourself directly to the park. You'd usually have all afternoon to do other things, but you'll need to push them back until after the game ends, usually around 1 or 2 PM. It also pays to have your hotel be as near as possible to the park to shorten the early commute.

Check your seats.

You are going to be watching a game in the hottest hours of the day. If you worship the sun god, this is your time to shine. Berm or outfield seats will let you catch all the rays you can soak. If you are more sun and heat-adverse, be sure to ask for a ticket in the shade. With the large blocks of tickets going to schools, it might be hard to get a seat in the few areas that will be in the shade for the entire game. 

Busses line up outside the home of the Joliet Slammers, photo by Michael Rusignuolo.

If the ticket seller says they can't get you one in the shade, ask if it is okay to move if one is available. The answer is almost invariably "yes," but it is polite to ask. Other options include hanging out at standing counters on the shaded promenade or finding barstools, tables, or other non-assigned seating in the shade with a view of the field.

Check your ears.

While I was slightly exaggerating above, these games can get loud, with thousands of screaming children, especially around kid-friendly events such as mascot appearances, giveaways, and on-field events featuring their classmates.

Check your expectations.

If you are traveling with kids of your own, while they may be able to make a ton of new friends during these games, they are nearly assured of being shut out of any on-field events, which are usually pre-filled with students from the school groups. And they definitely will be fighting for the attention of the mascot-- which can be a child's favorite part of a trip--as well as their turn in any play areas in the park, which will likely be at capacity.

Kids enjoy the grass berm seating at the Gary RailCats game, photo by Michael Rusignuolo .

And even though many parks provide special areas for a few groups to get their food, lines will be longer than expected at concessions and stores during the game. (Though alcohol will still be on sale if you want to start drinking before noon.) Grab your consumables and merch before the start of the game for the least problems. And don't get caught on the promenade when the school groups go to their seats for the first time. "Traffic jam" doesn't do it justice.

Also, parking may be more of a chore than normal, as some ballparks use nearby municipal lots as their main parking areas, but they may not be free during the day, as opposed to after-hours when the games usually start. Give yourself some extra time for parking.

All that said, they can be fun experiences. One park employee said, "It is nice to see the stadium filled up." These are the best-attended weekday games for the team or any game of the year. You get a lively environment to watch a game with kids having fun, even if they aren't particularly paying attention to the action on the field.