Ultimate Baseball
Road Trip Blog

It's hard to believe that our 2013 baseball tour season is over.  This has been one of the most successful years for Big League Tours, and we owe that to all of you that traveled with us.  Our guests made new friends, saw new places, and made a lifetime of memories on the road this year. Thanks to everyone that purchased a luxury baseball tour package. We hope you will join us again in 2014.

There are a lot of exciting things going on at Big League Tours.  We hope to expand our business in a number of ways in 2014.  One way will be to offer more tours to the places our guests want to see.  We will also offer tours that feature all 30 ballparks.  One NEW tour in 2014 will be the Sunbelt Tour.  The Sunbelt Tour will visit the warm weather ballparks early in the season, so our guests can avoid the scorching summer heat of TX, FL, and GA, but still mark 5 ballparks off of their baseball bucket list. 

I promised a Sneak Peek, so here it is.  Below is the link to our Sunbelt Tour page.  This link is only accessible from this email.  The web page is not public, so once you navigate away from the Sunbelt Tour page you may have to come back to this link to get to the page again.

2014 SUNBELT TOUR 

You can save 7% off the Sunbelt Tour by booking now.  Just click PURCHASE THIS TOUR and use discount code LUCKY 7. One of our staff will call you right away to collect your deposit and answer any questions.

We are finishing up all the details for our 2014 tours.  Keep an eye out for our 2014 Package Tours Announcement.

Please let me know if you have any questions.  

On every Big League Tours luxury baseball vacation, we put together a meet and greet with a former player on one of the tour days.  We were so pleased that Buck Martinez, former MLB player/manager and current Blue Jays broadcaster, was able to meet with us before the Yankees/Jays game at Yankee Stadium.

Yankee Stadium has its own Hard Rock Cafe inside the ballpark.  Our group took the easy subway ride to the ballpark and headed into the Hard Rock. But before the meet and greet, we experienced a little excitement at the Hard Rock.  

While waiting on Buck to arrive, we all noticed that an elderly diner in the restaurant was experiencing some problems.  He was choking. His son was unsuccessfully performing the Heimlich maneuver and his father's facial color was changing rapidly.  Our tour guest Nancy (a nurse from Canada) quickly ran around to the man, lowered him to the floor, and thrust his abdomen up expelling the food that had been lodged in his throat.  Great job, Nancy!! 

After things calmed down a bit, Buck began to speak to our group about his background and current position, as well as, his opinions on today's players and the game.  One of the great things about having someone like Buck Martinez is his insights into the current game.  As a broadcaster, he talks with the players and managers on a daily basis and sees many players/teams in his job.  This is the second time we have used Buck as our MLB Player Experience and we hope to have him back again in 2014.  He was great.

If you would like to join us on one of our tours in 2014, just click the link below and fill out the contact form.  We will add you to our mailing list and make sure you are one of the first to know about our 2014 schedule.

www.bigleaguetours.com

Big League Tours has built its business by offering fans a chance to get closer to the game. We do that by guaranteeing lower level seats, planning meet and greets with former players, taking stadium tours, and in general, doing everything we can to make sure our guests are thrilled with their tour experience. The Red Sox made us aware of a new opportunity at Fenway and we jumped at the chance to offer it to our August Hall of Fame Tour group. It was the VIP Batting Practice Experience at Fenway. So, before the Red Sox and Yankees squared off in the ESPN Sunday night game, we made our way to the ballpark. 

Our tour host Sarah met the BLT group at the VIP entrance and personally escorted us into ballpark. This was my first time at Fenway Park. The “quaint” feel of the park struck me as we snaked through the small passageways finally entering the seating area right behind home plate. Sarah walked with us down the steps to the wall right beside the Red Sox dugout. She opened a door and led us onto the field. Our guests, and the BLT staff, were in awe as we walked onto on field area right behind home plate. We watched as the teams took batting/fielding practice. First the Red Sox, then the Yankees. Seeing those elite athletes bomb ball after ball into the stands was amazing. This on field VIP batting practice tour is a first for BLT, but it will definitely not be the last.

After 45 minutes or so on the field, Sarah suggested that we head up to the Green Monster to see if we could snag some home run balls. Sarah walked us up the steps and over to the Green Monster entrance where we went down to the seating area. A few balls were hit near us, but none of our guests were able grab one. But, the view from the Monster was fantastic.

We ended our tour by walking through the luxury suite area (yes, even old Fenway has luxury suites) and checking out the Red Sox Hall of Fame. All throughout the tour, Sarah gave us historical background on the stadium areas and the team. It was probably the best stadium tour on which we have ever been at Big League Tours.

We will make sure to include this VIP package on our 2014 luxury baseball tours to Boston. Keep an eye on our website for the 2014 tours announcement.  

This season, based on requests from our guests, we began offering Destination Tours. Instead of visiting multiple stadiums and cities, these tours give our guests the opportunity to explore one city and ballpark(s) usually over a long weekend. Guests enjoyed 2013 Destination Tours to Chicago and New York, and last week, Boston.

Our host hotel was the Boston Sheraton.  The Sheraton is the largest hotel in Boston and is connected to the Prudential Center.  The Prudential Center houses a wide variety of shops and restaurants and is "the place" to shop in Boston.  Our guests enjoyed the chance to check out the shopping and eateries during the free time they had on the tour.  

The first game at Fenway Park featured the Yankees against the Red Sox.  The group, with BLT host Mike Gorton, took the short 10 minute walk to Fenway Park to check out the sites and sounds around the ballpark before the game.  As always, our guests were seated in the lower level.  Unfortunately, the one thing we can't guarantee at Big League Tours is a close game.  Our guests watched the Yankees destroy the Red Sox 10-3.  

On Saturday, the group had all day in Boston to explore the city.  As part of the Destination Tour package, they received a Duck Tour of the city.  The Duck Tour is a land/water tour that takes folks through the historic city.  Our guests were thrilled with the added attraction provided by Big League Tours and said they would recommend it to anyone visiting Boston.

Sunday was the last day of the Boston Destination Tour.  After a full day in the city, we gathered in the lobby to head over to Fenway for a VIP Batting Practice Experience before the nationally televised ESPN game.  Our Red Sox tour guide, Sarah, met us at the VIP entrance then escorted to the field where we were able to watch batting practice from behind the screen.  Our guests were thrilled with the opportunity to be that close to all the players from both teams, and watched as the hitters bombed ball after ball into the seats.  Sarah took us up to the Green Monster in left field to see if we could catch a batting practice homer.  None of our guests were able to snag a ball, but the view and the IPA Green Monster beer made up for that.

After settling into their lower level seats, the group was treated to some excitement.  This was the game in which Ryan Dempster plugged A-Rod in the bottom of the second inning.  The benches cleared, Joe Girardi was tossed, and then the game continued without incident.  This game had a lot of action with 26 hits and 15 runs between the two teams.  The Yankees were victorious as they defeated the Red Sox, 9-6.

Our Destination Tours have been a big hit in 2013. You can expect to see more offerings in 2014 for Chicago, Boston, and New York.  We will also be adding more cities like LA and San Francisco to the Destination Tour list.  So, make sure to visit our website and sign up to receive the updates and tour schedules when they become available.

Our Chicago/Milwaukee Tour is a great way to enjoy the Big League Tours luxury baseball tour experience over a long weekend.

We will start this tour on Friday with a visit to US Cellular Field for a special, behind the scenes tour with former White Sox slugger Ron Kittle.  Then, you'll have lower level seats for the A's vs. White Sox at 7:10PM.

On Saturday, we will travel to Miller Park for the Phillies @ Brewers at 6:15PM.  You will have time before the game to check out all the tailgaters and the great food available inside the ballpark.

Our last day in Chicago will take us to historic Wrigley Field for Pirates @ Cubs 1:20PM.  We will get to Wrigley early so you can explore Wrigleyville and the pre-game action around the stadium.  As always, you will sit close to the field in the hard-to-get, lower level seats.

We have selected one of the finest hotels for our guests. Our tour hotel is the historic Palmer House Hilton in downtown Chicago.  You will love this beautiful, luxury hotel and its proximity to many of the attractions.

BOOK THIS TOUR BEFORE MAY 5 AND GET $125 OFF PER PERSON!!

Click the link for all the info- CHICAGO MILWAUKEE TOUR INFO

We've made some changes to our Big Apple Tour 2 and New York Destination Tour 4 in August. It was necessary for us to move the start date of both tours to Aug. 20 based on the game times for the Yankees and Mets. Other game details, schedules, and pricing have also changed. If you are interested in these tours, please click on the links below to get all the new info.

Big Apple Tour 2 NEW INFO

New York Destination Tour 4 NEW INFO

If you would like an updated brochure for either of these tours, just click the brochure button on the webpages.

Please call or email with any questions.

We are thrilled to announce that 1986 World Series MVP Ray Knight will be joining us on our East Coast and Atlantic Beltway Tours as the Big League Tours Player Experience.  Ray played in 13 MLB seasons including 3 with the NY Mets where he won the World Series.  (Who could forget Ray's famous romp home when Bill Buckner made the error at first that allowed him to score in Game 6?)   Ray was an NL All Star in 1980 and 1982, and served as the Reds manager over the 1996-97 seasons.  This year is Ray’s sixth season as co-host of Nats Xtra on the Washington Nationals TV network.  Ray will join us before the Nationals game on June 25.  We can’t wait to meet him and hear about his playing days, as well as, his insights on the game today. 

Limited space is available on the East Coast and Atlantic Beltway Tours.  Please let us know right away if you are interested in purchasing one of these tours.  Here are the links to the tour webpages:

EAST COAST TOUR

ATLANTIC BELTWAY TOUR

Please call or email with any questions.

We are pleased to announce that '83 AL Rookie of the Year, and White Sox Legend, Ron Kittle will be joining our group in Chicago on our Midwest Tour 1.  Ron will be giving a behind the scenes tour of US Cellular Field as part of our Big League Player Experience.  Ron tells great stories about his years in the Majors (ask him about the guy in the stands at Yankee Stadium), and he will spend time signing autographs and taking pictures with our guests as well.  The Big League Player Experience, as well as, lower level seats, sensible itineraries, and luxury accommodations all add up to a baseball vacation that is unrivaled.  If you would like to join us, just click the link below to go the the Midwest Tour 1 web page and then click Purchase This Tour.

Midwest Tour 1

We've had some fans ask us to give them an idea of the itineraries on our luxury baseball tours. Some want to know how much free time they will have, others are interested in the game times, travel times, etc. Since we are offering a special $200 off the  West Coast Tour right now, I thought I would give a quick "thumbnail" version of our itinerary for the West Coast Tour.

June 11- Guests check into the San Diego Hilton Gaslamp Quarter. Meet with the BLT Tour Host around 4:30PM. The group will travel to Petco Park for the 7:10PM Braves/Padres game.

June 12- Short drive to check into the Anaheim Marriott. The bulk of the day free before going to Dodger Stadium for the D'backs/Dodgers, 7:10PM

June 13- Free day in So.Cal. We can help with Knott's Berry or Disneyland tickets, etc.

June 14- Possible stadium tour before the Yankees/Angels game, 7:05PM.

June 15- Fly to San Fran in the AM. Check into the San Fran Hilton. Rest of the day free to explore.  We can help with attraction tickets like Alcatraz, etc.

June 16- Early game with Mariners/A's at 1:05PM. Evening free in San Fran.

June 17- Possible stadium tour of AT&T Park before Padres/Giants, 7:15PM

There will be a Big League Tours Player Experience on the one of the days as well. Player and time TBA.  This is going to be a great tour.  I hope you will join us.

If you would like to book your West Coast Tour- CLICK HERE.

Please let me know if you have any questions.

We are looking forward to a great 2013 baseball tour season.  Pitchers and catchers for all

the MLB teams are reporting to camp this week, with position players soon to follow.  Opening Day is just around the corner, and our tour groups will start traveling the US enjoying the great game we all love.  As interest builds in the MLB season, and our baseball tours, I thought I would take the opportunity to answer the 3 most frequently asked questions about Big League Tours.  Here they are:

1. Is transportation to/from the tour included?  No, it isn't.  Our guests come from all over the country, so it's not possible for us to project those costs.  But, we are happy to help you book your travel to/from the tour as an additional, no-cost service.  Just give us a call and we will help find the best travel deal for you.

2. What about rainouts?  Unfortunately, we can't predict the weather, but you might be interested to know that in all the years Big League Tours has been in business, we have only experienced 2 rainouts.  In the event that a game is rained out, you will receive a rain check from the home team like all the other fans at the game.

3. When will I get my travel packet?  For those guests that have booked our tours, we mail a packet that has all the final tour information around 3-4 weeks before the first day of the tour.  In that packet will be detailed times, hotel info, Big League Tours Player Experience info, tour transportation info etc.  We also send updates to our guests via email to keep everyone informed.

We hope you will join us on a luxury baseball tour this season.  Here's a link to our 2013 Tours:

2013 Big League Tours Schedule

Our West Coast Tour special continues through next week.  We are offering specials on our Full West Coast Tour, Southern California Tour, and Baseball on the Bay Tour.  Here are the links to our West Coast Tours.

2013 West Coast Tour

2013 Southern California Tour

2013 Baseball on the Bay Tour

Please feel free to call or email with any questions.