Friday, May 19, 2006

Houston Families Head to the Ballpark

Sunday is a great day to head to Minute Maid Ballpark with the kids to cheer on the Astros. First, it's a 1 pm game so the kids won't be out late. The Astros are playing the Texas Rangers, so there's the whole Houston vs Dallas competition. (We know which city is best!) Plus, the first 10,000 adults (age 16 and up) get a FREE Astros T-shirt. This is the lone star t-shirt and it's super cool. CHARGE!

Hungry? Head to CHEW CHEW EXPRESS (Sections 133 & 416), which provides smaller meals for younger fans. Squeeze Play is located on the northeast corner of the ballpark at the Right Field Entrance near Section 133. Young fans, accompanied by an adult, can test their speed with an interactive Squeeze Play game or their hitting prowess in the Splatting Cage. To cool off, fans can indulge in delicious slushies at the Minute Maid juice bar. With the availability of picnic tables and several TV screens, this is the perfect place for the whole family to enjoy a day at Minute Maid Park. Look at for Junction Jack, the Astros mascot, who loyally attends every game.

Note: Fans age 2 and under may be admitted to Astros games without an admission ticket. However, they must sit in the lap of an accompanying adult. 16 family restrooms are available throughout the ballpark so, yes, Daddy can change the diaper or take the little tikes to the bathroom!

After the game, kids age 5-15 can run the bases on the field. How fun! Help your kiddo play out his/her baseball dreams by rounding those bases. The line begins on the Main Concourse at Section 134 near Minute Maid Squeeze Play. Runners exit the field near the end of the Astros Dugout at Section 127. Parents are welcome to occupy the seats in that area, however, aisles must remain open and uncluttered. Parents and children should communicate with one another prior to the event and coordinate their plans to meet after the children finish running.Parents should use discretion in allowing children 5-8 to take part in the event.Children that cannot find their parents will be directed to a holding area in Section 127. (Thanks to www.Astros.com for much of this info.)