Family Fun on Opening Day with The River Cats
Spring is officially here and it's the perfect time to enjoy America's favorite pastime with the family. Bring everyone to Raley Field, home of the Sacramento River Cats triple-A baseball team, and start the 2012 season off right.
The Game
Raley Field
400 Ballpark Drive
West Sacramento, CA 95691
(916) 376-4700
www.sacramentorivercats.com
Price: Tickets start at $8 in advance or $10 on the day of the game
Hours: Fri, April 13 – 7:05 p.m.
Opening day finds the River Cats facing the Reno Aces at Raley Field; the game marks the start of the River Cats' 13th year in Sacramento. The whole family will be home-town proud of this Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A's. Among many other triumphs, this team has earned two Triple-A Championships. Here are just a few of the game day highlights you can expect to find at the big game.
The Club
Dinger's Kids Club
www.dingerskidsclub.com
Hours: During games all season
Price: $25 per child
Children will love being part of Dinger's Kids Club where membership includes Sunday game vouchers, Coca-Cola Kid's Corner tickets, a newsletter and a special Kids Club hat. Even better, they'll get to meet some of the players up close and personal and have "express lane passes" to run the bases. Your kids will be talking for days about how they got their favorite player's autographed and got to run the same route as the big-leaguers.
Related: Best Party Places for Kids in Sacramento
The Food
Raley Field Concessions
If peanuts won't cut it for the whole game, no need to worry. Raley Field has you covered in the food department. Baseball and hotdogs are a classic combination that rarely disappoint, but if you decide to step out of the normal ballpark comfort zone, there is something for every palate at Raley Field. From salmon tacos to garlic fries and salads to root beer floats, everyone in the family can munch away happily throughout the game. Make sure to share, as eating ballpark food adds to the entire experience.
The Mascot
Every team needs a mascot to keep the fans pumped up. Luckily, your hometown team has one of the most enthusiastic mascots out there. "Dinger", the beloved River Cats mascot, will be jumping, tumbling and entertaining the crowd throughout Opening Day. Kids and adults alike can't keep from giggling when watching Dinger dance, and they'll have the chance to meet him and watch him pound away at the drums before the game begins.
The Diamond
Even though it seems like innings move from top to bottom in the flash of an eye, time always moves more slowly. Luckily, your kids will stay entertained even when the players aren't showing off their skills. There will be kid's games between innings throughout the day, including an obstacle course and bounce house in the Coca-Cola Kids Zone in right field. Let them get some of that energy out before heading home.
Related: Family Fun Guide to Weekend in Monterey
Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
