Family Travel and "Dot Dogs"

Posted by Bronte Eaker on Fri, Mar 08, 2024 @ 10:25 AM
 
IMG_7493The other day my toddler was adamantly asking for a “dot dog” (hot dog) for breakfast. I’m pretty sure it was just a vehicle for the ketchup he was actually interested in, but hey, they’re all beef so it’s fine, right? ;-)

It got me thinking about baseball season, summertime, and of course, having a hot dog at a game. Baseball travel has been a part of our family for a long time. (Two decades officially… many more unofficially.) And it’s already become one of our favorite activities with our son.

As I reflect on the journeys our family has embarked on, the moments spent traveling withIMG_0606-Nov-27-2023-03-27-08-2383-PM-2 my husband, parents, siblings, cousins, and grandpa hold a special place in my mind. The restaurants we've dined at, the sights we've explored, the sheer excitement of 15 year old me meeting Nick Jonas after a Reds game, and countless other cherished memories flood my mind.

The experiences we've had and the sights we've witnessed have truly been fantastic, but it's the moments in-between that truly make our trips unforgettable. Whether it's the hilarious stories shared at the airport, something unexpected on the bustling streets of NYC, or the waffle breakfast that kickstarts our day, these are the details that stay with us forever.

 IMG_9098When you stop to think about it, embarking on a journey with your beloved companions can serve as the "in-between" in the midst of a hectic life. Stepping away from the mundane routine to purposefully bond together makes life sweet!

When planning your travel for 2024, I urge you to take a trip that will leave a lasting impact. Savoring a "dot dog" with your loved ones, even if it's merely for the ketchup. Consider carving out some precious "in-between" moments to connect with those you hold dear, forging memories that will endure a lifetime.

Guest Feature: Eileen F.

Posted by Bronte Eaker on Mon, Nov 06, 2023 @ 11:13 AM

If you've been following us for some time, you've probably come across Eileen in our photos! She has been an avid traveler with us for many years, so celebrating her incredible achievement of visiting 30 stadiums this summer filled us with absolute joy! Let's hear what Eileen had to share about her extraordinary journey with us:

"Hi, my name is Eileen F. and I highly recommend Big League Tours!! I am from Boston and grewIMG_3300 up loving baseball and the Red Sox!  I just love the ambience of the stadiums. I decided I wanted to see all 30 stadiums. I looked online and Big League Tours popped up. I chose the East coast tour for my first tour in 2015. It absolutely met all my expectations!  The host was personable, knowledgeable and made you feel at ease. The accommodations were excellent, the seats were premium and the transportation in between stadiums was great. I met a couple from California on that tour and we decided to go on future tours together and we did except 1 year.

IMG_9120-1I continued my adventure with tours in 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2022 and 2023!! You also have extra time to sightsee in the city you are visiting. The great thing about Big League Tours is each tour you either get an experience with a key player, speaker or a tour of the stadium. I completed my 30th stadium May 2023 at Oakland Coliseum!! The host, Glenn, presented me with a ball and case. All the people on the tour signed the ball!!  I was ecstatic!! We also got a group picture that made it extra special!!
 
You will not be disappointed with Big League Tours!! I have so many great memories and will treasure them forever."

Eileen, thank you for choosing Big League Tours all of these seasons and letting us be a small part of your accomplishment! We are grateful for you. Congratulations!! 

Guest Feature: Bob D.

Posted by Bronte Eaker on Tue, Oct 24, 2023 @ 03:24 PM

At Big League Tours, there's nothing we love more than celebrating our guests' incredible achievement of visiting all 30 MLB stadiums. It was an absolute honor to celebrate with Bob this summer. Let's dive into his unforgettable journey with us:

"My first Big League Tour was the Southwest Tour in July 2021, which started in Phoenix, then Denver, then Arlington and finished in Houston. Our tour host did a fantastic job. Hotels were centrally located and travel between cities was seamless. Prior to that, I had been to 18 of the current Major League stadiums. Living in New Jersey allowed me to see most of the stadiums in the Northeast over the years. (As a side note I have also been to 10 stadiums that no longer exist.)
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With 8 stadiums to go, my next tour was a partial West Coast Tour in June 2022 which took San Francisco and Seattle off the list. Tour leader Tia was excellent, and Glenn joined us in Seattle. Once again hotel and travel were first class.

In September, I took a day trip to Cincinnati. My next tour was the Southeast Tour in May 2023, starting in Miami, on to Tampa, then Atlanta. As I have come to expect, Nathan, the tour host did an awesome job, and as always, hotel and travel were carefully planed.

For my final two stadiums, I was on a partial Midwest Tour in July 2023. I went to games at both Chicago stadiums, (even though I had already visited both) then Milwaukee, St. Louis (prior visit) and then number 30, Kansas City. The big guy himself, Glenn, was our tour host. Hotels and travel were great, as always. 
IMG_1344The attention to detail is what separates Big League Tours from other tours. The tour hosts are knowledgeable and fun to be with. I really enjoyed my time in Chicago. The Palmer House hotel was in a great location and just a beautiful property, and meeting with Ron Kittle was thoroughly enjoyable.

The main reason I would recommend Big league Tours is the personal attention paid to clients to help them enjoy the experience. That and the excellent seat locations in each ballpark! 
I would like to mention that traveling with a group of people who meet as strangers with a shared interest become friends by the end of the tour."

Congratulations, Bob! We will always be grateful that you chose Big League Tours and allowed us to be a small part of achieving your bucket list dream!

Guest Feature: Cecil & Pat N.

Posted by Bronte Eaker on Mon, Oct 16, 2023 @ 08:37 PM

We love getting to share the experiences of our guests who have completed their goal of visiting all 30 MLB stadiums! Cecil and Pat N. completed their baseball bucket list this past summer. Here’s what they had to say about traveling with Big League Tours: 

“Cecil and I started traveling with Big League Tours in 2018 with the East Coast tour, visiting Nash4 Boston's Fenway Park, the Baseball Hall of Fame, the Yankees at Yankee Stadium, the Mets’ at Citi Field/Shay Stadium, and the Baltimore Orioles at Camden Yards.  In 2019 we did the Midwest tour to watch the Chicago Cubs and the White Sox and the Milwaukee Brewers; in 2021 we participated in the West Coast tour; in 2022 we went on the Mideast tour to visit Cincinnati Reds, Detroit Tigers, Cleveland Guardians, Pittsburg Pirates, and Toronto Blue Jays; in 2023 we did the Southeast tour visiting Washington Nationals, Tampa Bay Rays and Atlanta Braves and later the Midwest tour visiting Minnesota Twins, Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago White Sox, St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals.  We visited a couple stadiums on our own over the years due to our own schedules, to make all 30 stadiums.

Nash2What makes Big League Tours different from other travel experiences is the ultimate convenience in going from one stadium to the next, not having to book the excellent seats at each stadium and great hotels in which to stay that Big League Tours provides, and getting to meet and talk with several outstanding baseball representatives on the tours, such as Ron Kittle.  Each tour director that escorted us had a wonderful sense of humor, was an outstanding planner seeing after all his charges, and going out of the way to make each trip memorable for everyone.

Nash3Some of our favorite experiences were visiting the Baseball Hall of Fame, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, and catching a foul ball in Milwaukee, and Truist Park in Atlanta.

The main reason that we would recommend Big League Tours is that they are a very professional outfit that coordinates everything perfectly and are extremely helpful always.” 

Congratulations, Cecil and Pat! We’re honored to be a small part of your accomplishment. Thank you for choosing Big League Tours! 

 

Guest Feature: Larry & Robin B.

Posted by Bronte Eaker on Mon, Oct 09, 2023 @ 08:20 PM

At Big League Tours, we’re honored to be a part of our guests accomplishing a major goal. Just last month, Larry and Robin B. completed their “quest” of visiting all 30 MLB stadiums! Check out what they had to say about their experience here: 

IMG-6614“We had been working on our quest to visit all 30 MLB stadiums for a few years.  We decided the best way to see the Mideast stadiums was on a tour. We seriously looked at two companies and decided to go with Big League Tours.  We went on the Mideast Tour in June 2022.

It was so nice to just show up in Cincinnati and have everything taken care of!  We stayed in nice hotels within walking distance of all the stadiums.  Our seats were all field level behind home plate! Our tour host, Nathan, wasIMG-1481 friendly, patient, calm, and, organized.  This tour really spoiled us going forward attending games!

When it came time to visit the Southeast stadiums, we decided once again to go with Big League Tours in May 2023.  Once again, Nathan was our tour host and we had a flawless experience!  (We even won Nathan’s baseball trivia contest!)

On both tours we enjoyed meeting and talking baseball with other fans.

We completed our Quest in September 2023 at Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia.

We so enjoyed our trips with Big League Tours, we have signed up for what we are calling our 'Extra Innings Tour' to New York, Boston, and Cooperstown in May 2024. Big League Tours was a fun and important part of our Quest!”
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Larry and Robin, thank you for letting us be apart of your baseball adventure! It’s our pleasure to meet folks like you and help make your dreams a reality. Congratulations! 

Tour Feature: Midwest Tours 2023

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Tue, Jan 03, 2023 @ 09:30 AM

We may be partial, but we think the Midwest is best! Here, you’ll find some of the newest ballparks in Major League Baseball, each with its own distinct personality. Our flexible Midwest Tours allow you to hit them all or visit just a few.

Wrigley-groupThe Midwest July Tour starts in Minneapolis at Target Field, where a Twins “homerun celebration” and walleye on a stick are things you just have to experience. (Minnesotans are serious about their acclaimed “state fair food”!)

Next, we slide down to Chicago for a game at historic Wrigley Field. The ivy walls, The Friendly Confines, Wrigleyville and Chicago dogs… need we say more?

After Wrigley, we’ll venture to American Family Field in Milwaukee for an afternoon game. Along with the award-winning Brewers, fans enjoy delicious brats and brews, a fun family atmosphere, and a crowd that has a great time whether they win or lose.

Guests have an extended time to take in Windy City views, shopping, architectural tours and some of the Midwest’s finest food before the Cubs take on the White Sox at Guaranteed Rate Field.

Busch Stadium-aboveThe following day takes us to Busch Stadium in St. Louis for one of the best fan experiences in baseball! Even if you’re not a Cardinals enthusiast, the fan-friendly atmosphere and skyline backdrop of the Gateway Arch will draw you in. Another must-see is Ballpark Village, an adjacent complex where fans enjoy shopping, good eats, and the Cardinals Hall of Fame Museum.

The final stop on this tour is Kansas City’s Kauffman Stadium, where fans experience Royals baseball, varietal craft beer, and some of the best BBQ in the country. Fans of all ages enjoy the one-of-a-kind Water Spectacular, an unforgettable fountain display that you have to see to believe. Give yourself time to see the Negro League Museum before heading out of town. 

This tour has it all--premium seats, great hotels, and all the Big League Tours extras. Choose an extended Midwest Tour with multiple games and cities; or select a shorter version of the tour to fit your budget and bucket list. Book now to hold your spot!

Midwest July
July 21 – White Sox @ Twins
July 22 – Cardinals @ Cubs
July 23 – Braves @ Brewers
July 24 – Free Day
July 25 – Cubs @ White Sox
July 26 – Free Day
July 27 – Cubs @ Cardinals
July 28 – Twins @ Royals

About Big League Tours

Big League Tours helps fans get closer to the game by securing lower level seats, arranging stadium tours and player experiences, and providing first-class hotel accommodations. Flexible itineraries allow fans to experience the best of the best in the greatest baseball cities across the nation. Unlike other tour companies, Big League Tours not only takes care of the buses and games for a baseball tour, but also provides extras that turn tours into true sports vacations, loaded with unique baseball-related events. For more information, contact Big League Tours at www.bigleaguetours.com.

Topics: Royals, White Sox, Wrigley Field, Brewers, Busch Stadium, Cardinals, Twins, Cubs

Tour Feature: East Coast Tours 2023

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Mon, Jan 02, 2023 @ 04:07 PM

Season after season, our stadium-packed East Coast Tours are always our most popular! Fans are immersed in America’s favorite pastime starting at Nationals Park in Washington DC. An extra day allows historical site seeing in our stunning nation’s capital.

Next, experience the retro feel of Baltimore’s Camden Yards. The first of the exclusively single-use baseball stadiums, its exceptional design has been a blueprint for stadiums across the nation and is clearly a favorite with our fans.

Next stop…find Philly! Our hotel is near Reading Terminal Market, where more than 80 diverse merchants offer food, shopping and something for everyone. Our guests can walk to the actual Liberty Bell or take selfies with the 19-foot Liberty Bell replica at bustling Citizens Ball Park!

yankee_stadiumThere’s nothing quite like baseball in New York. Love ‘em or hate ‘em, the Yankees do it big, and you feel it at the home of the winningest franchise in history. Comfortable seating, high-end eating and a free one-of-a-kind in-park museum make Yankees Stadium a remarkable experience.

Prefer the Mets? Citi Field echoes the spirit of the great Jackie Robinson and boasts an intimate but open concourse where fans can mingle with a “Taste of the City” and enjoy the home of the “homerun apple”.

Next we’ll take a beautiful drive to the Baseball Hall of Fame in scenic Cooperstown. Get lost in the nostalgia of baseball’s rich history and be inspired by the legends and who made it. Enthusiasts agree that this hidden treasure is an unforgettable, moving experience for fans of all ages.

Finally… it’s Fenway. The vintage charm of MLB’s oldest stadium makes this an essential game experience for every baseball fan. (A Fenway Frank and a walk down Jersey Street makes us tear up every time!) Our fans love the stadium tour, which includes a wealth of Red Sox history and watching batting practice from the historic Green Monster.

Choose one of our Full East Coast Tours or select a “mini” version to fit your schedule and bucket list.

East Coast June
IMG_5778 2June 21 – Cardinals @ Nationals
June 22 – Free Day
June 23 – Mariners @ Orioles
June 24 – Mets @ Phillies
June 25 – Rangers @ Yankees
June 26 – Brewers @ Mets
June 27 – Hall of Fame
June 28 – Marlins @ Red Sox

East Coast August
August 2 – Brewers @ Nationals
August 3 – Free Day
August 4 – Mets @ Orioles
August 5 – Royals @ Phillies
August 6 – Astros @ Yankees
August 7 – Cubs @ Mets
August 8 – Hall of Fame
August 9 – Royals @ Red Sox

About Big League Tours

Big League Tours helps fans get closer to the game by securing lower level seats, arranging stadium tours and player experiences, and providing first-class hotel accommodations. Flexible itineraries allow fans to experience the best of the best in the greatest baseball cities across the nation. Unlike other tour companies, Big League Tours not only takes care of the buses and games for a baseball tour, but also provides extras that turn tours into true sports vacations, loaded with unique baseball-related events. For more information, contact Big League Tours at www.bigleaguetours.com.

Topics: Nationals, Red Sox, Orioles, Phillies, baseball hall of fame, Fenway Park, Yankees, Yankee Stadium, Cooperstown, Mets

Tour Feature: West Coast Tours 2023

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Tue, Nov 22, 2022 @ 01:16 PM

IMG_3802Ever dream of seeing every Major League Baseball stadium on the Pacific Coast? We sure have! The stadium experiences, post-card views and city adventures make our West Coast Tour a best-selling favorite.

We start in the heart of Seattle, where, along with Mariners baseball, fans experience The Space Needle, Pike Place, and the best coffee and donuts in the country!

In San Francisco, Oracle Park makes quite an impression, with its modern amenities and waterfront views. The delicious varietal fare makes this stadium a foodie favorite (get the Ghirardelli Sundae!!). We'll head across the Bay and catch an A's game at the Coliseum, too. 

In beautiful San Diego, fans have a free day to enjoy coastal views, the Gas Lamp District and award-winning Southwest eateries before seeing the Padres at award-winning Petco Park.

Iconic Dodgers stadium is next on the bucket list, with its rich history and nostalgic, all-American feel. (Yankees and Dodgers…does it get better than this?) Next, fans enjoy a free day in scenic Anaheim. Some take a Disneyland adventure, while others enjoy food, shopping or unwinding on the beach. This tour wraps up at “Big A”, Angel Stadium, where “dancing fountains” give the 4th oldest ballpark in the country a unique atmosphere of its own.

Our options make it easy. Choose this full West Coast Tour to see these 6 ballparks and cities, or pick one of our mini tours, like the Southern Cal, Bay Area, or California Gold.

West Coast May/June
IMG_3812May 29 – Yankees @ Mariners
May 30 – Pirates @ Giants
May 31 – Braves @ A’s
June 1 – Free Day
June 2 – Cubs @ Padres
June 3 – Free Day
June 4 – Yankees @ Dodgers
June 5 – Free Day
June 6 – Cubs @ Angels

About Big League Tours
Big League Tours helps fans get closer to the game by securing lower level seats, arranging stadium tours and player experiences, and providing first-class hotel accommodations. Flexible itineraries allow fans to experience the best of the best in the greatest baseball cities across the nation. Unlike other tour companies, Big League Tours not only takes care of the buses and games for a baseball tour, but also provides extras that turn tours into true sports vacations, loaded with unique baseball-related events. For more information, contact Big League Tours at www.bigleaguetours.com.

Topics: Mariners, Dodgers, Giants, A's, Angels, Padres

Tour Feature: Southeast Tour 2023

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Mon, Nov 21, 2022 @ 01:08 PM

Image from iOS (14)May is a great time to put on your flip-flops and enjoy the sunshine (and baseball) of the south! Our Southeast Tour starts in Miami, where guests take in a night game surrounded by the colorful Miami skyline at Loan Depot Park. Did you say Cuban food? We suggest long-time Miami favorites, Versailles or La Carreta, or check out a relative newcomer, Café La Trova (pictured), for fantastic food, drinks, and music. When they’re local favorites, you know they’re good!

Next, guests can unwind right by the water in beautiful St. Petersburg. We’ve added a free day, so you can enjoy the sunny views, shopping and growing food scene before taking in a game at Tropicana Field.

The Southeast Tour winds up in Atlanta, with the unique, all-American experience of Braves baseball. The youngest of the MLB stadiums, Truist Park provides a great atmosphere for a game, and the sights, sounds and tastes of Atlanta never disappoint.

The_Battery_at_SunTrust_Park

Southeast May
May 18 – Nationals @ Marlins
May 19 – Free Day
May 20 – Brewers @ Rays
May 21 – Free Day
May 22 – Dodgers @ Braves

About Big League Tours
Big League Tours helps fans get closer to the game by securing lower level seats, arranging stadium tours and player experiences, and providing first-class hotel accommodations. Flexible itineraries allow fans to experience the best of the best in the greatest baseball cities across the nation. Unlike other tour companies, Big League Tours not only takes care of the buses and games for a baseball tour, but also provides extras that turn tours into true sports vacations, loaded with unique baseball-related events. For more information, contact Big League Tours at www.bigleaguetours.com.

Topics: Marlins, Rays, Braves

Tour Feature: Mideast Tours

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Mon, Sep 05, 2022 @ 12:08 PM

Year in, year out, the Mideast Tour gets rave reviews from Big League Tours' guests. It actually kind of surprises most travelers. While it doesn’t contain an older, iconic stadium like Fenway or Wrigley, it has some great stadiums and cities that our guests always enjoy.

Guests at PNCThe obvious choice for most baseball fans is PNC Park in Pittsburgh (group tour on field to the right). It’s next to the river and has a view of the city’s bridges and skyline in the background. It also has the Primanti Brothers sandwiches and Yuengling beer, which will make any ball game better!

As Reds fans, (hey, there’s always next year…) we're likely not completely impartial, but we happen to love Great American Ball Park. The concourses are wide open and provide a site line of the field as you move around the park. Don’t forget to get some Graeter’s ice cream. Black raspberry chocolate chip always hits the spot.

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Cleveland is home of Progressive Field (pic on the left from our stadium tour), the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame, and a growing food scene. Comerica Park is a really nice ballpark and one of the few places to get a fried bologna sandwich (that’s a positive, right…?).

And Toronto. Oh my goodness…have you been to Toronto? We love going there! It’s really cosmopolitan and has so much to offer.

So, jump on the Mideast Tour this year. You’ll enjoy the cities, stadiums, food, and more!

About Big League Tours
Big League Tours helps fans get closer to the game by securing lower level seats, arranging stadium tours and player experiences, and providing first-class hotel accommodations. Flexible itineraries allow fans to experience the best of the best in the greatest baseball cities across the nation. Unlike other tour companies, Big League Tours not only takes care of the buses and games for a baseball tour, but also provides extras that turn tours into true sports vacations, loaded with unique baseball-related events. For more information, contact Big League Tours at www.bigleaguetours.com.

Topics: Toronto, PNC Park, MLB tours, Great American Ball Park