Kids Run the Bases day at Safeco Field in Seattle, WA (CreativeCommons)
Baseball's Opening Day is right around the corner, and the one event that should be on the radar of every baseball parent is bringing the kids to the big league park for a chance to run the bases.
Most Major League clubs offer at least one promotional day where kids can come onto the field after the game and make a round trip along the base paths. Below is the team by team breakout of when, where, and how you can give your kids the thrill of the summer by stepping on the same field as their favorite big leaguers.
All the dates listed below are weather permitting and cancellations are made at the discretion of the individual team. Unfortunately for you parents out there, most stadiums will allow you to escort your kids to home plate but that's where you'll stay as you wait for your kids to touch home plate (rounding the base paths is reserved for the kids only - except at Citi Field which allows Dads to join, and Great American Ball Park where fans of all ages are invited to run the base paths).
Arizona Diamondbacks - Chase Field
Ages: 15 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/13, 4/27, 6/8, 6/22, 7/20, 8/3, 8/10, 8/24, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28Additional Info: Line begins at Gate J following the game
Ages: 4 to 14Details: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/13, 4/27, 5/4, 5/11, 5/25, 6/15, 7/6, 7/20, 7/27, 8/10, 8/17, 8/31, 9/21Additional Info: Line begins to form at the Hank Aaron Ramp outside Aisle 129, Kids Club Members get priority access
Details: No dates announced yet
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Select Sunday home games onlyEligible Games: 4/6, 6/15, 9/7
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/18, 6/8, 6/22, 7/13, 7/27, 8/10, 8/24, 9/7, 9/21Additional Info: First 1,000 ticketed kids
Ages: 13 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 5/25, 6/1, 6/15, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28
Ages: Fans of all ages (including adults)Details: Select Sunday home games onlyEligible Games: 4/13
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/18, 6/1, 6/22, 7/6, 7/13, 8/3, 8/17, 8/24, 9/7, 9/28
Ages: Kids of all agesDetails: Select home games onlyEligible Games: 5/4, 9/1Additional Info: The 5/4 Kids Run the Bases is an exclusive event for members of the Rockies Rookies Kids Fan Club. The 9/1 game will give all kids the chance to run the bases, however Kids Club members will receive front of line access.
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 3/30, 4/6, 4/20, 5/25, 6/8, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 9/7, 9/14, 9/28Additional Info: Line begins in the concourse under the scoreboard
Ages: 5 to 15Details: Select Sunday home games onlyEligible Games: 4/6, 5/18, 6/1, 7/27, 8/3, 9/21Additional Info: Line begins at Section 134 near Minute Maid Squeeze Play, Astros Buddies club members get front of line access
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/18, 6/8, 6/22, 6/29, 7/13, 7/27, 8/10, 8/31, 9/14, 9/21Additional Info: Line begins at the spiral ramp near Gate B
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Most Sunday home games (not included: 6/15 and 9/28)Eligible Games: 4/6, 4/20, 4/27, 5/11, 6/1, 6/29, 7/13, 8/3, 8/17, 8/24, 9/7
Ages: 12 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/25, 6/1, 6/15, 6/22, 6/29, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 9/7, 9/21Additional Info: Line up at Sections 7 & 8. VIP access for Billy's Bunch members
Ages: 16 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/13, 4/27, 5/11, 6/1, 6/15, 6/29, 7/13, 7/27, 8/10, 8/24, 9/7, 9/14, 9/28
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/6, 4/13, 4/27, 5/4, 5/18, 6/8, 6/22, 7/6, 7/13, 7/20, 7/27, 8/17, 8/24, 9/7, 9/21Additional Info: Line begins at the North Ramp on the main concourse near section 130
Ages: 12 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/6, 4/20, 4/27, 5/25, 7/6, 7/13, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28Additional Info: All Dads and kids can run the bases following Family Sunday games.
Ages: 4 to 12Details: No dates announced yetAdditional Info: In past seasons, running the bases has only been available to Season Ticket holders. 2014 details have not yet been announced.
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/6, 4/20, 5/11, 6/1, 6/15, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/10, 8/24, 9/7, 9/21
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Select home games onlyEligible Games: 7/24, 8/20
Pittsburgh Pirates - PNC Park
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 3/30, 4/6, 4/20, 5/4, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/29, 7/6, 7/20, 8/10, 8/31, 9/14, 9/21
Details: No dates announced yet
San Francisco Giants - AT&T Park
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/13, 4/27, 5/18, 5/25, 6/8, 6/29, 7/13, 7/27, 8/17, 8/31, 9/14, 9/28Additional Info: To get in line, fans will exit the stadium and line up outside the right field viewing portal near the Port Walk.
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Select Sunday home games onlyEligible Games: 7/13, 7/27, 8/10, 8/31, 9/14
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/6, 4/20, 5/11, 5/25, 6/8, 6/22, 7/13, 7/27, 8/3, 8/17, 8/31, 9/7, 9/21Additional Info: Line begins at the first base food court following the conclusion of the game
Ages: 13 and underDetails: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 3/30, 4/13, 4/20, 5/11, 5/18, 6/8, 6/29, 7/13, 7/27, 8/17, 8/24, 9/7, 9/14, 9/28Additional Info: Front of the line access for Jr. Rangers Club Members
Ages: 14 and underDetails: Following all Saturday home gamesEligible Games: 4/5, 4/26, 5/10, 5/24, 5/31, 6/7, 6/28, 7/19, 8/9, 8/23, 8/30, 9/13, 9/27Additional Info: Participants can line up at sections 108, 208, and 508
Ages: 4 to 12Details: Following all Sunday home gamesEligible Games: 4/6, 4/20, 4/27, 5/18, 6/1, 6/22, 7/6, 7/20, 8/3, 8/17, 8/24, 9/7, 9/28Additional Info: The line begins forming after the end of the 7th inning outside of the park on the sidewalk of First Street. Front of line access for Jr. Nationals MVP members.
Not sure where to sit for the game? View our seating guides by clicking the name of your ball park in the list above. Read reviews, view photos, and find the best seats for families when you head out to run the bases.