Taking a 1 Year Old to a Baseball Game

H. -

Good for you for going on this adventure! I definitely recommend taking either a stroller or a backpack. Probably a stroller, since he's so heavy, and of course the most compactible the better. Since he's still so young, he's probably going to need a nap sometime during the game, or just some respite from the crowd and having to sit still for so long. It's good that you already know you'll need to walk around with him a lot.

For the future, some friends of mine recommended going to a minor league game with kids. I didn't check where you are located, but the Loons park has a playground for young kids and the games go by much quicker. Not to mention, they are not so crowded and noisy.

Good luck!

Dana

We have season ticketsr and take our 9 month old -
I use a hotsling and it helps a lot - I do not walk him around unless I am headed to the bathroom or carosel for my daughter! he does great! there is so much to see and do you will be surprised. the hardest part is walking from parking (well its not the hard but its the longest carry! I think the umbrella stroller is a great idea they have them at target for $14!!!! we use a backpack in lieu of diaper bag cause its easier to carry - hubby does backpack I do baby in sling! super easy super fun!!!

we will be there saturday!

oh also last saturday it was warm so yes hat screen etc but I also had him in a little hawaiiain shirt and got it wet in the sink wrung it out and put it on him! he enjoyed the coolness :)

I would be interested to hear how it all works out H. - I don't care for baseball but my husband is a huge Tigers fan and he doesn't want to take our daughter until she is about 6 or 7 so that they can both enjoy the game and the experience. I have a feeling he will cave in and take her when she is 5. They like watching the game on tv together, especially as she can get up and play with her toys if she gets bored.

Get an umbrella stroller to roll him around in, it will fit much easier around the crowds than a regular, larger stroller

I would recommend an umbrella stroller - I was just at a game last week and the family that sat near us brought a back pack with snacks & toys for their children(ages about 4 & 6). There were people coming in with strollers when we walked in, the problem with strollers though is when your actually sitting in your seats in the stands, are you going to have room for it? You wouldn't want to leave it unattended. Defintely pack, hat, light clothes, sunscreen and all the summer essentials!! Don't forget a small umbrella too!! Good luck!

if your son is anything like my daughter she is very active 1 year old and does not sit still. we just went to my brothers graduation and we left right after they called his name,(thank god he his last name starts with E) and came back when it was over.
if you plan on walking around a lot you probably be fine.
we took our daughter last year for her first game and it worked out perfect though she was only 4 months old she sat still at that time.
good luck

I believe you can take the stroller into the game but you have to leave it at the top of the aisle, so it could be stolen if your seats are not near the top. I brought in one of those $10 umbrella strollers so if it got stolen it was not a big deal. Also you may have to go into a separate entrance to get your diaper bag checked. I can't remember if that is the case at Comerica park but at Spartan stadium you can't take a stroller in and you have to go in a separate entrance. Good luck at the game! I hope they win for you.

Back pack definitely. Especially if it is the kind that can stand on its own withyour kid inside. That way it can double as a carry on and a kid seat. I have never been to the tigers stadium, but unless you get wheel chair access seats, most stadiums were not meant for strollers. besides, with all the people, i am sure he would prefer the view from up high.

I say take the stroller. Besides you and your husband getting tired...chances are so will your child. Oh and have a couple beers...that also helps lol. Have fun!!!

I would bring some snacks that your child likes and something to drink. Have fun at the game!!!!!!!!!

We haven't taken our kids to a baseball game, but we have gone to track meets with lots of people and bleacher seats. We love our kelty backpack. It isn't too bulky and it has a storage bag attached to stash diapers, wipes, sunblock, toys and snacks. When we go to crowded places, the backpack is generally what we take.

Leave the stroller at home. We've taken our kids to several Tigers games, but never a 1 year old. At that age I think they don't really care about the game and will get bored so you'll spend your time entertaining him and not really able to watch the game, but if you do make it through the entire game I'm sure he'll enjoy the fireworks.

Have fun!

I don't really know specifically about the baseball game (I'm not familiar with the seats in that stadium), but we LOVE our Kelty backpack. It was well worth the money, with all the weight distribution adjustments it is quite comfortable even when the child gets bigger. My son is now 3 years old and 34 pounds, and my husband can still comfortably carry him in it. It has proven invaluable from Disney World to the grocery store.

When we took our then-14mo to an international softball tournament, but we took her knowing a couple of things about her temperament: she was happy to be anywhere we were, she was not a 'must run' child, she wasn't a climber, a whiner, a screamer and was easily amused when she could be in conversation. She loved being around lots of people, and it wasn't her first game... although it was certainly her first 'all day' series.

We were prepared (sitting at the aisle) to get up and walk around at any moment, but also wanting to stay seated for the games. There was lots to explore, and it was easy to keep her out of the sun (our seats were under a roof). She was fascinated by the game and all the stuff that went on in the field and the stands.

Now, a different child, I probably wouldn't have tried this with. For the busy little bodies that can't sit still for the 40 mintues it takes to get a meal in a family restaurant, a 2 hour game would be really pushing it. If it's a small game and there's a picnic or playground area nearby, and you are aware that you are not actually going to get to see most of the game, it would be fine, because you could just follow him around... but trying to sit a 'mover' still for the duration will make you, him, and all of the fans around you crazy.

Hello!
I recently to my girls to a whitecaps game and brought the umbrella stroller for the baby and that worked great,it wasnt bulky and we could put the baby on out laps as we were sitting in our seats and the stoller fit under our feet/leg area when we collapsed it. Bring alot of snacks and of coarse a sippy cup with ice and wave a water bottle packed. Have a great time!!

Hi Heater,
My husband & I have season tickets to the Tigers, my advice to you would be to get the carrier & skip the stroller. A hat & sun screen of course. They do allow small coolers (the soft sided kind)good for bottles & they do allow you to take bottled water in that has not been opened, however, no soda. Fruit & snacks are allowed too. Hope this helped & you enjoy the game. I'll be there with my 5 year old step-son for his first Tigers game!

H., we had season tickets when my son was 1 and he loved it. We took an umbrella stroller and we had seats in the Tiger Den where there are only 2 wooden chairs and a table. We took the table out and placed his stroller in between us so he could watch and eat. He loved it. We used the smaller umbrella stroller. When he didn't want to sit, we broke the stroller down and put it under out seats. He is now 4 and him and I still go on Thursday afternoon games and by ourselves and I still take the stroller. The seating people usually let us sit in the handicapped section if there is room. Good luck and have fun!!!

I would take a lightweight umbrella stroller to use when you don't want to carry him or when he doesn't want to walk. Stop in to Guest Services and get a wristband for him. You are allowed to bring in your own snacks and juice boxes for children. I partially froze ours and a few bottled water for my kids. Bring sunglasses for your sun. If you're going to put him on the rides, do it first thing-after the game the lines are ridiculously long. http://detroit.tigers.mlb.com/det/ballpark/bringing_kids_...

Check out the rules of the stadium... I know the one for MI state doesn't allow ANY carry ins bigger than the size of a dvd case... So check out the rules. I couldn't even take in a diaper bag... I would suggest an umbrella stroller so he can nap and chill out when he gets over stimulated... If he's mobile make sure that he has shoes on so he can walk and step about without worrying about germs...
Some books might help also...
Have fun

Have a great time! We were just there Thursday (and got rained out)I saw a lot of parents with umbrella strollers. They are better to take than your big stroller because of the crowds. make sure to pack the sun screen and of course a Tigers Hat for him too. They offer kiddie wrist bands for kids just in case they get lost. Check out the Tiger websight to know about diaper bag sizes that are allowed etc.!!! Good luck

Get the backpack carrier, or maybe carry him. It depends on how wiggly he's going to be and how much he's likely to want to walk on his own. Having a stroller would be HIGHLY impractical with the crowds and the way the stadium is set up.
Enjoy the game! :) (I'm a little jealous... I'll only be watching from home!)

H.,
I would suggest taking an umbrella stroller with a basket underneath. They are lightweight in case you have to carry it up a couple of stairs, and compact to get you through tight isles, or in crowds. The basket will hold all of your baby gear (and yours too!) Some even have a retractable cover to shield your son from the sun. I believe you can get one for around $35 probably at Babies R Us. Have a great time!

A. E

Where are your seats?? I would carry him...the stroller would never work in those crowds, and then, there really isn't anywhere to put it once you are in...
I would make sure to bring a washcloth...it gets hot and sticky, and you could wet the washcloth down with cold icy water and put it on his forehead or back of his neck...or arms...i always take one for my kids and I, and it's awesome.
one of those spray fans is nice too...they sell them there (for a ridiculous price) but you could get one at a cheaper store and bring it in, i'm sure.
I assume at 1 year old, he still takes a bottle. put a juice bottle in the freezer and freeze it solid...take the frozen one with you to thaw out and enjoy at the game!
other than that...just make sure you guys have fun!!

I would recommend a soft carrier, such as an Ergo or a mei tai (google either if you're not familiar). They can be used on your back (or your front), they're comfortable for both you and your child, and when you get to the game, you won't have a huge full-frame carrier to store/deal with. I carried my daughter in one as a nearly-newborn, and I recently carried my 3.5-year-old in one at the zoo.

Good luck!

I wouldn't suggest carrying him. He is already 26 lbs, your arm is going to get tired after not long at all. My son is 21 lbs and MY arm is tired after carrying him for awhile. I would, like the other moms, suggest getting an umbrella stroller. That has been a life saver for me! Good luck!

I also recommend buying a baby carrier. I love my Ergo, but my favorite is my Beco. The Beco is much more stylish! I bought mine at Tree City Diapers in Ann Arbor. They are a bit expensive, but totally worth it. You can also make your money back by selling them on Ebay or Babywearer.com.

I'd take the stroller and a backpack carrier. If you're going to be walking around, use the stroller. But if you want to sit down and he sleeps, you'll want to be holding him.

Tigers games are packed and moving a stroller woud be very hard. I would take the back pack if you are walking alot however if you are going to be in your seats it will be hard to find a place to put it without getting in the way.

Have fun.

H.,

If you have a small stroller that can be folded up small to put under the seats that would probably be your best bet. The downside to having a stroller is that there is so many people (usually around 40,000 or something like that) and not everyone is considerate about where they are walking. Especially later after people have been drinking. If you plan on walking around a bit instead of just sitting then you probably should take a stroller, you can also take your son to the merry go round and ride the tigers. Good luck, I will be taking my, soon to be, 5 year old daughter and my twins who will be 4 months old when we go in Aug. It should be interesting.

K.

My DH and I tried taking my DS to the baseball game probably at about a year old and he screamed the entire time. He normally does fine at events or loud things so that wasn't something I'd expected. I carried him around in a sling (he's heavy too, but I'm used to it) for a while, but he wouldn't calm down so we ended up having to leave.

I'm not trying to ruin the fun, but just preparing you and giving you our experience...

I'd say take good shoes for you and him and a stroller or sling (depending on what he is comfortable with).. the ERGO baby carrier is a great as a backpack, but you'd have to order it online or go to Ann Arbor to Tree City Diaper..

You'll probably end up walking around with him a bunch.

I think that it will be too hot and uncomfortable for him and he is not going to sit through the whole thing. I would wait until he is older to appreciate it. If he doesn't enjoy it neither will you. If you must take him be sure to bring toys because he is not going to pay attention to the game the entire time. I guess I would bring a stroller.

I would suggest a backpack carrier. The problem with a stroller is that there's no place to put it in the stands, and I think there are even some restrictions about the size of strollers you can bring. We've taken our young daughter to 2 games so far, and once we had the front carrier, which worked great. The second time my husband forgot it (oops!) and we carried her, which also worked.
Have fun!

Buy an Ergo.

My daughter is 15 mos and about 25 lbs. It is SO comfortable and she is happy in there. My only regret is waiting until she was a year old to order one. I ordered from abbyslane.com on a friday evening and it was here on a monday. She has wonderful shipping (plus the shipping will be free for spending over $50) and customer service. I cant believe how comfortable it is to wear. I barely feel her. She is so happy to be up high plus I can chit chat with her right there. It also comes in handy when she falls asleep while we are shopping or on a nice long walk. I wouldn't want to bring a stroller to a Tigers game.

Trying to weave in and out of the crowds and then finding a spot to put it during the game sounds like a pain in the butt. Have a great time!

We have taken our kids to baseball games! When Brayden was small (4 months) we brought the stroller - then this year with both of them we didn't.

I carried the baby (who turned 1 yesterday) in a front carrier (she's small though).

If you don't plan on being in your seats and if he does well in his stroller then I say bring the stroller!