2010 Baseball Trip Feature - Midwest 1

Posted by Big League Tours on Tue, Nov 22, 2011 @ 06:15 PM
December 16, 2009 - As interesting as it is to visit the historic ballparks throughout the big leagues, it's always Miller Parkexciting to check out a new baseball stadium. 2009 offered us two new parks in New York City with Citi Field and Yankee Stadium. 2010 will bring us an open air ballpark in a town that's grown accustomed to a dome.

We'll begin our tour in Minneapolis for a game at the new Target Field. From Minneapolis, we'll head to Milwaukee for a game at Miller Park and some tailgating with the great Brewers fans who really know how to party. After we've had our fill of sausages, we'll head to Chicago for some Windy City baseball.

Once there, we'll head to Wrigley Field to see the classic rivalry of the Cardinals and Cubs. You'll then have a free day to explore the city - take in a museum, shop till you drop, or hang out at your favorite places to eat (cheeburger cheeburger, anyone?). We'll wrap up this trip by visiting US Cellular to see Josh Hamilton and his Rangers take on the White Sox.

To see more about this and other MLB Tours being offered by Big League Tours, visit our website now to get all the details.

Topics: Citi Field, Milwaukee, Miller Park, New York, baseball stadiums, Wrigley Field, big league tours, MLB tours, Brewers, Chicago, Yankee Stadium, Target Field, Minneapolis

Midwest Baseball Tour Begins With Historic Event - A Perfect Game!!!

Posted by Big League Tours on Tue, Nov 22, 2011 @ 04:15 PM
July 24, 2009 - At Big League Tours, we like to think that all of the baseball road trips that we create will be memorable. And they are. However, the tour that we've just started might be one of the most memorable of all of our small group tours so far. The reason being? Admittedly, something completely out of our control...

This MLB road trip began yesterday like many of our tours, at the first of a few stadiums that we'll visit in a long weekend. This time we began at U.S. Cellular Field, home of the Chicago White Sox, for an afternoon game between the Sox and the Rays.

The Sox got on the board in a big way during the bottom of the second inning when Josh Fields hit a grand slam off of Scott Kazmir. After Buehrle polished off the Rays in the top of the third, my son pointed out that no Rays had reached base. Then after we thought about it, we realized that he had a perfect game going.

You could since the electricity building in the crowd after every out. When the Sox were set to take the field for the ninth inning, the crowd stood and chanted, "Buehrle...Buehrle...Buehrle..." until he charged onto the field and The Cell erupted with excitement.

If you've followed sports at all the last 24 hours, you've seen the catch that Dewayne Wise made to rob Gabe Kaplar of a home run. Click here to see the box scores and video clips of the game. What an unbelievable way to protect the perfecto. Needless to say, when the Sox recorded the final out sealing only the 18th perfect game in MLB history, the celebration began. The photo above shows Buehrle's teammates mobbing him after the game.

So with a grand slam and perfect game, this sports vacation package is off to a great start!

Topics: White Sox, Rays, baseball road trips, baseball stadiums, big league tours, sports vacation, Chicago, U.S. Cellular Field

Cubs vs. Cardinals - Look to the Cookie...?

Posted by Big League Tours on Mon, Nov 21, 2011 @ 06:00 AM

Like many people in my generation, I grew up a huge Seinfeld fan. Still to this day I can't help but pause and watch an episode whenever I see it's on. One of my favorite episodes is when Jerry and Elaine spend the whole show in a New York bakery trying to pick something up for a dinner party. While waiting, Jerry eats the imfamous "black and white" cookie. Here's the clip:


Jerry believes that the black and white cookie is the symbol of racial harmony. That all things are good with the cookie. That we need to "look to the cookie."

I couldn't help think of this episode recently. As we travel from stadium to stadium on our baseball travel tours, we gather things from each team, especially when the baseball teams are passing things out at the gate. So what made me think of this was when I was wearing a St. Louis Cardinals t-shirt and drinking from a Chicago Cubs cup. Taboo? Maybe.

If you haven't seen the end of the Seinfeld show, Jerry's unifying cookie ends up causing him, shall we say, to lose his groceries. My concern, of course, was that my Cubs/Cardinals combination would have a similar effect on me. Luckily, I didn't feel any ill effects. However, I'm sure that some of you would have problems donning your rival team's gear, or drinking from their cups, or displaying their bobbleheads - even if they were something you gathered for free on a group travel tour.

Then again, this might be the very reason stadiums don't sell cookies with their team's logo on one side and their opponent's logo on the other. We may not be ready to "look to the cookie..."

Topics: St. Louis, baseball tours, baseball stadiums, baseball travel, Chicago, Cardinals, Cubs

Father and Son Take Midwest Baseball Trip

Posted by Big League Tours on Sun, Nov 20, 2011 @ 07:00 AM
Baseball Vacation Makes Lifelong Memories
August 27, 2008 - Many people have a love or bond for baseball, but there is nothing better than sharing that bond with your dad. Kris D. and his son, Chase, joined Big League Tours on the Midwest 1 trip in Chicago and Milwaukee. The trip caught Kris' eye since it wasn't a very long journey from their home in Aurora, Indiana, a town near Cincinnati.Family Tours Chase on Big Screen at U.S. Cellular Field

This trip was a gift from Kris to his son. Kris felt the gift was perfect because they both share a love for baseball and would someday like to see all the baseball stadiums together. Chase, age 9, was thrilled to get the trip and couldn't wait to take it. His grandfather even got him jerseys for each team that they were going to see on the trip. This only added to the anticipation and excitement that both Kris and Chase were already experiencing. 

They enjoyed all aspects of the trip but especially enjoyed the meet and greet with Ron Kittle at U.S. Cellular, where they were able to hear stories from Kittle's career and able to interact with him. Later that evening, Chase appeared on the big screen at U.S. Cellular where he hit a home run in the fan zone area! That's him swinging away in the picture. He was given an array of things including a shirt, hat, and tickets to the walking dinosaur exhibit in Chicago. Kris says, "My son and I were already close, but this has made memories that will last a lifetime. Thank you."

Topics: baseball trips, baseball stadiums, baseball vacation package, testimonials, Chicago, U.S. Cellular Field

Fireworks Bonanza at US Cellular Field

Posted by Big League Tours on Sat, Nov 19, 2011 @ 09:30 PM
Family Tours Enjoy Fireworks
August 25, 2008 - When starting out at U.S. Cellular on Midwest 1 everyone was pumped and ready for the festivities and games to begin.  For an added bonus the White Sox put on a firework show and added some music for a great effect. It was a wonderful display probably one of the best I had ever seen up until that point in my life.  Small Group Tours and Sports PackagesThey had big boomers and small shooting fireworks that lasted for a very long time.  They did a wonderful job timing the fireworks with the music and just did a fantastic job. 

On Midwest 2 the next place to give us a firework show was Pittsburgh and I have to say this was my favorite of all times.  Not only did they have a firework show for all their fans, but they had REO Speedwagon come in and play.  All the lights went down in the stadium and off to the right the fireworks started going off.  Then the next thing you know REO Speedwagon is on stage playing in front of you in the infield.  They put on an amazing show and just when we thought it was over the fireworks started again and then back to REO.  This back and forth went on for over an hour.  So, not only did the fans get to see a MLB game but they also got to see a live concert and firework show.  This was one of the best things i have ever seen a stadium do for their fans I was absolutely blown away. 

The next night in Cincinnati they had a firework show also.  It was no concert and firework show, but they did an amazing job.  These were some of the biggest boomers that I had ever seen or heard.  They were such a loud boom they made you shake and jump right out of your seat.  Midwest 1 and 2 had many great aspects, but nothing better than fireworks in the summer while enjoying Americas favorite past time.

Topics: White Sox, baseball trips, MLB tours, Chicago, U.S. Cellular Field

Midwest 1 Tour - Wrigley Field

Posted by Big League Tours on Sat, Nov 19, 2011 @ 05:30 PM
Visiting One of MLB's Best - Wrigley Field
August 10, 2008 - One of the most common requests for baseball trips is to offer a baseball vacation package that includes Wrigley Field. And for good reason. Although it's crumbling around you (literally) as you watch the game, it's still a fantastic place for baseball. This was the first time that my wife and daughters had joined one of our group tours to Wrigley and they loved it.Baseball stadium tours that include Wrigley Field.

The Cubs loved it, too. The game was originally scheduled to be played in the afternoon but was moved to an evening game so that it could be covered on ESPN's Sunday Night Baseball. After the sun went down and the winds picked up, I don't think there was an unsold sweatshirt or long-sleeved shirt left in any vending booth in the ballpark. I know that our family came home from this baseball vacation all decked out in Cubs gear!

Some of our group headed out to Wrigley early in the day but here's a picture of part of our group outside the ballpark. The Cubs went on to beat the Cardinals pretty handily by a score of 6-2. Click here to check out the box score from the game.

Topics: baseball road trips, baseball travel, Wrigley Field, Chicago, Cubs

MW1 Baseball Tour Ends With The Cubs

Posted by Big League Tours on Sat, Nov 19, 2011 @ 03:00 PM
Baseball Trip Takes Us To Wrigley Field
August 20, 2008 - Sunday was the last day of Midwest 1 and what better way to end it with heading out to Wrigley Field.  This was the game I had personallyBaseball Travel Tours been looking forward to for the whole MLB road trip.  On this day the Cubs took on the St. Louis Cardinals and being a Cardinals Fan anyone who knows the two teams know they have somewhat of a rivalry. 

So, I came to the game decked out in my Cardinals gear ready to see a great game.  Wrigley Field is one of the oldest stadiums left so the atmosphere and the feeling of being there is like no other.  Everyone who comes is ready to have a great time and enjoy some of America's favorite past time.  Unfortunately for me, the Cardinals did not have such a great game, but it was a great to see Ryan Dempster's 13th win this season.  The Cubs won the game 6-2 and ended up winning the series 2-1.  To see the official stats click here.

Topics: baseball tours, Wrigley Field, Chicago, MLB road trips, Cubs

Midwest 1 Baseball Tour - Chicago and Milwaukee, Part II

Posted by Big League Tours on Sat, Nov 19, 2011 @ 02:00 PM
Big League Tours Offers Sports Packages In the Midwest
August 9, 2008 - Midwest 1 kicked off on Friday August 8th at U.S. Cellular where our guests were able to have a one on one experience with Ron Kittle.  Kittle played left field and designated hitter for the White Sox in 1982-86, 1989, and 1991. Mlb Tours White Sox World Series Gear

He also played for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and the Baltimore Orioles.  Kittle took the group into the Jim Beam Suite and talked a little ball with everyone.  He told stories from his career as well as his experiences with other players, best moments, and what he's doing now.  Big League Tour guests were able to ask questions of Kittle and just chat with a Major League Player, guests also able to get autographs signed and pitcures taken.  Kittle currently works for the Chicago White Sox, but in his free time he is building benches out of baseball bats and baseballs.  Check out his website and see what he has to offer.

After speaking with Kittle we were able to head into the stadium to see the Red Sox take on the White Sox. Buehrle pitched a a great game for the White Sox allowing them to win the game.  Buehrle was impressed with the amount of Red Sox fans that made their way into U.S. Cellular, but he soon quieted them with his impressive pitching.  For official stats of the game please click here.

Topics: stadium tours, White Sox, baseball tours, Chicago, U.S. Cellular Field, MLB road trips

Midwest 1 Baseball Tour - Chicago and Milwaukee

Posted by Big League Tours on Sat, Nov 19, 2011 @ 01:30 PM
Group Travel Tours by the Lake
August 8, 2008 - Each year, this is one of my favorite sports packages that we offer. We get to incorporate White Sox, Brewers and Cubs games all while staying in the heart of the Windy City.

Player experiences are part of our MLB ToursThis year, our package tour began at U.S. Cellular Field with our Big League Player Experience with Ron Kittle. Ron was the American League rookie of the year in 1983 and was a noted power hitter throughout his career. This Player Experience was held inside the ballpark before the gates opened up and in the Jim Beam club section. The fans traveling with us were able to listen to Ron share some stories about his career, ask him questions about the game, and watch the White Sox take batting practice from seats with a perfect view.

The game featured Mark Buerle pitching against Jon Lester and the World Champion Boston Red Sox. We had great seats as a group on the third base line between the dugout and home plate - an awesome place to watch a game. The White Sox were pleased to walk away with a victory with a 5-3 score. We headed back to the hotel with plans to head to Miller Park on Saturday.

Topics: Milwaukee, White Sox, baseball trips, baseball vacation package, Brewers, Chicago, U.S. Cellular Field, Cubs