Time to write! Here goes...
Time to write! Here goes...
Topics: baseball road trips, baseball trips, MLB tours, sports vacation
One tough ticket is a stadium tour at Wrigley Field. They don't typically offer tours when the team is in town, which is troublesome for us since we're typically there to see a game. However, it worked out for us on our latest of small group tours that we were able to get tickets.
People love Wrigley for its charm, the history, the ivy, the easy-going Cubs fans, and that your team has a better than average shot of winning when there... (Okay, sorry Cubs fans...)
Going behind-the-scenes only makes things more interesting for a fan. For instance, here's a shot from the Cubs clubhouse. In the days of over-sized everything in sports - from paychecks to hat sizes to forearms and biceps and to clubhouses - this is obviously one modest facility. No room for double lockers (or four for Mr. Bonds and his recliner). It's similar to the clubhouse at the old Yankee Stadium.
Pretty interesting to see their digs, isn't it?
Topics: stadium tours, baseball stadiums, Wrigley Field, sports vacation, group tours, Yankee Stadium, Cubs
Since it was a Sunday, and hotter than blue blazes, I didn't think either team would take batting practice. As it turns out, the Cardinals did. (This might have proven beneficial as they went on to crush the Cubs that day and Sir Albert hit three dingers himself...) A few of the Cardinals were also kind enough to visit the on-field section and sign autographs for the kids on the field. My son received signatures from Tony LaRussa, Mark McGwire, and Albert Pujols. He was pretty stoked about starting his day at the ballpark on the field.
There are never any assurance of events like this happening when you show up at the baseball stadium, but we've found that showing up early, whether it's on one of our baseball vacation packages or just one of our family tours, is key to being in the right place at the right time. It doesn't hurt to have on team gear and demonstrate that you are a true fan, either.
Feel free to share with us the cool things that have happened to you when at the ballpark! Many times those are the things that make your sports vacations truly memorable.
Topics: baseball stadiums, baseball vacation package, Wrigley Field, sports vacation, family tours, Cardinals, Cubs
Overview
The iconic road trip seems to be reserved for young people, heading out with a few buddies and nary a care in the world. But first road trips can occur at any age and can last from a couple of days to an entire summer. Planning any trip requires a little care and consideration, but in the case of a first road trip, it is especially important to be thorough and leave leeway for the unexpected.
- Step 1 - Purchase roadside service insurance.
- Step 2 - Bring your car in for a once-over.
- Step 3 - Keep a small kit of safety supplies with you.
- Step 4 - Buy a paper map.
- Step 5 - Make a list of places you want to see and prepare a realistic time line.
- Step 6 - Plan overnight stays.
- Step 7 - Record a hefty playlist for your MP3 player.
- Step 8 - Keep a small cooler stocked with beverages and a couple of snacks.
- Step 9 - Allow time for the unexpected.
Topics: baseball road trips, baseball vacation package, big league tours, sports vacation, family tours
2010 Baseball Trip Feature - East Coast 1
We'll begin in Baltimore, making the hotel there our home base for a few days. We'll have a kickoff reception at the hotel on Saturday night. On Sunday morning, we'll head to Nationals Park for an afternoon game between the Cincinnati Reds and the Nationals. Monday, we'll drive up to Philadelphia to see the Padres and Phillies. Tuesday, we'll take a stadium tour of Orioles Park and see the Yankees and Orioles play.
On Wednesday, we'll board the motor coach and head up to New York City, our home base for the next three nights. We'll go to Citi Field to see the Mets host the Padres. Thursday, you'll have the day on your own to shop 5th Avenue, take escorted tours of the city's sites, or to stroll through Central Park.
Friday we'll tour Yankee Stadium and see the Yankees play the Astros. Saturday we'll trek up to Cooperstown for the day at the National Baseball Hall of Fame. We'll grab dinner in Cooperstown and then head to Boston. Sunday, we'll take in the Phillies and Red Sox and, if the schedule allows, we'll take a stadium tour of Fenway Park.
The hotel is provided Sunday night after the Red Sox game as part of the package. You also have the option of coming into Baltimore early or staying later in Boston so let us customize your sports vacations for you.
This premier sports travel package promises to be a great time. For more details on this baseball tour and our other MLB Tours, visit BigLeagueTours.com.
Topics: stadium tours, Citi Field, Orioles, sports travel and tours, New York, Baltimore, Fenway Park, big league tours, MLB tours, sports vacation, Yankees, Nationals Park, Reds, hall of fame, Cooperstown, Mets, Oriole Park
October 7, 2009 - My daughter has always enjoyed seeing the moon at night. As we sat in the New Yankee Stadium on one of our package tours earlier this summer, the clouds broke and the moon shone brightly. I decided to take a picture of it to share later with my 2-year-old. What I realized just after I snapped the shot is that the jumbotron added a pretty funny effect.
I think the young lady on the screen had just noticed herself but it appears she's pointing right at the moon. I hadn't thought of this photo until just now as I'm watching the Yankees and the Twins in the first game of the ALDS.
Do you have some photos from your baseball stadium tours, funny or otherwise, that you'd like to share with other baseball fans? We have the perfect place for you to do so, in our photo gallery at Big League Tours. Check out the Gallery and share your photos from your sports vacations.
Topics: baseball tours, big league tours, sports vacation, Yankees, Yankee Stadium, Twins
Midwest Baseball Tour Begins With Historic Event - A Perfect Game!!!
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
MLB Road Trips Kick Off with East Coast 1 Tour
This is my favorite time of year. The baseball season is now in full swing, the weather gets to be a little more predictable, and teams are already jockeying within their divisions - a perfect timefor a baseball road trip!
Today our East Coast 1 Tour began in New York City with a stadium tour of the Yankees' new home. What an impressive place! The tour starts in their museum that's inside the stadium. The museum has autographed baseballs from many of the Yankees players throughout history, stories about the different eras of the team, and interesting information about the stadium.
Here's a picture of one of my favorite items from the tour. As a catcher growing up in the 70's, I idolized catchers in the big leagues. Thurman Munson was one of the guys I loved to watch. We learned last year when we were in the Yankees clubhouse on one of our group tours that the Yankees had preserved Munson's locker since the day he died. No one had used it since. His locker was moved in tact to the new Yankee Stadium and is what you see pictured to the left.
Whether you are a Yankee fan or not, this baseball stadium needs to be on your "must see" list for one of your upcoming sports vacations. The team is such a storied franchise and they've presented their history well in the new venue.
Topics: baseball road trips, New York, sports vacation, Yankees, group tours, Yankee Stadium
A Few Tips For Being Prepared On A Big League Tours Trip
Some tips for travelers heading on a tour with Big League Tours in '09:
- Make a list of everything you want to take on the sports vacation
- Pack rain gear; rain coat, umbrella etc.
- Pack a set of warm clothes
- Bring a mitt if you plan on being in the outfield during batting practice
- Bring a baseball, hat, etc. we have meet and greets with players and alumni on most of our baseball vacation packages and they are always willing to sign memorabilia
- Check and make sure your bag or book bag will be allowed in the stadium
- Don't forget your camera
These are just a few reminders for what to bring while on sports vacations with Big League Tours. We're always willing to answer questions so if your not sure about something ask us! If you haven't booked a trip with us yet check out our website. We look forward to meeting you for the first time or seeing you again in 2009!
Topics: group travel, sports travel and tours, baseball tours, big league tours, sports vacation
Many people feel the Yanks have plainly overbid. The Yankees are also planning to bid on A.J. Burnett and Derek Lowe. Are the Brewers still in the running for Sabathia or will they lose him to the Yankees? Either way, CC is a lot of fun to watch in action. So whichever team he chooses, make sure that they are on one of your baseball road trips for 2009!
Topics: baseball road trips, big league tours, MLB tours, sports vacation, Yankees, Brewers