Big League Tours Featured in MLB.com Article

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Fri, Jan 27, 2017 @ 06:52 AM

Big League Tours was featured in an article by Mark Newman on MLB.com entitled, "Ballpark Tours Offer Experiences of a Lifetime." Here's an excerpt:

Oakland Coliseum is on the itinerary of four of those 30 tours operated by Big League Tours, starting with the California Gold Tour on May 5-12. That five-ballpark trip begins at Petco Park in San Diego, then goes to Angel Stadium in Anaheim and Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, then heads up to the Bay Area to watch Mike Trout and the Angels play a day game at Oakland, capped off the next night with Reds vs. Giants at AT&T Park in San Francisco.

IMG_1431.jpgUltimate Baseball Road Trip packages offer at least one tour to each of the 30 MLB ballparks. Tour packages range from two stadiums over three nights up to seven stadiums over eight nights. You'll sit in premium seats, take behind-the-scenes stadium tours and meet with former big leaguers. Vida Blue, Bill "Spaceman" Lee, Dave Parker, Len Barker, Tom Browning and Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan are among past examples.

The experience carries over into the cities, too. Tour packages include first-class accommodations in the heart of these great baseball towns.

"We know that fans have their own bucket lists, some that include Wrigley Field, Fenway Park, the Hall of Fame, or visiting all 30 Major League ballparks," said Glenn Dunlap, president and founder of Big League Tours. "We offer the Ultimate Baseball Road Trip that enables fans to make their dreams come true."

Dunlap knows from experience, because in 2014 he and his son completed their own quest of seeing all 30 ballparks in use at that time. The trips are designed for fans of all ages.

"After looking for companies that offered baseball tours the way that I wanted them, I started to realize that they didn't exist," Dunlap said. "I kept thinking if you only visit each stadium once, you'd better do it right. Doing it right means sitting in great seats, taking behind-the-scenes stadium tours, meeting baseball insiders and staying right in the heart of MLB cities. Since nobody else was doing it that way, I began wondering if there were other people who wanted those same experiences."

Click here, http://m.mlb.com/news/article/214403304/ballpark-tours-offer-experiences-of-a-lifetime/, to see the whole article. 

 

Topics: bucket list, baseball tours, baseball stadiums

The Baseball Bucket List - Visiting Every Major League Baseball Stadium

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Tue, Dec 09, 2014 @ 02:15 PM

Founder And Son Complete Their Bucket List, Assist Others In Their Quest

(INDIANAPOLIS—December 9, 2014) -- It all started with the phrase, “Before I die, I want to…” It was an exercise that Big League Tours Founder, Glenn Dunlap, completed in a men’s group study at his church. “The goal of the exercise was to help develop personal priorities in different areas of your life.”

baseball bucket List,baseball stadium tour
Glenn Dunlap and son, Hiatt share
a moment together at Target Field
celebrating their 30th baseball stadium.


Something Dunlap always wanted to do was visit every Major League Baseball stadium. Since he couldn’t hit breaking balls, his chances of seeing ballparks from the dugout had already passed him by. So he searched for a tour company that would help him fulfill his bucket list dream as a fan. When he didn’t find what he was looking for, he decided to launch his own company.

“After looking for companies that offered baseball tours the way that I wanted them, I started to realize that they didn’t exist. I kept thinking if you only visit each stadium once, you’d better do it right. Doing it right means sitting in great seats, taking behind-the-scenes stadium tours, meeting baseball insiders, and staying right in the heart of the MLB cities. Since nobody else was doing it that way, I began wondering if there were other people who wanted those same experiences.”

As it turns out, there were. Now heading into their 10th season, Big League Tours has hosted travelers from all over the world. Some want to see a stadium from their childhood or follow their favorite team. Some have the bucket list dream of seeing all the stadiums. But whatever their motivation, all are seeking a fantastic baseball experience.

One such traveler is Sheryl Malone, who has been on 5 trips with Big League Tours, visiting 28 of the MLB stadiums, 19 of them with the company. A Cleveland native, Sheryl has watched Indians greats such as Larry Doby, Bob Feller, Bob Lemon, and Early Wynn. She credits her grandma with introducing her to baseball at a very young age, but it doesn’t take long to realize that Sheryl’s whole family was influenced by the game. Her dad was a big fan, taking the family to games whenever possible, her sister is a Dodgers season ticket holder, and her late brother worked for the California Angels and the Cleveland Indians.

“I really like seeing the different architecture of the stadiums, what they have built up around them, with so many things to do,” Malone said. “I also love to meet all the people on the tours and to be with fans who really love the game. When you’re with a group of people with the same interests, you can root for different teams, but have great camaraderie.” Sheryl will celebrate her 30th stadium in Kansas City this summer with friends and family on a Big League Tour.

Fenway Park,baseball bucket List,baseball stadium tour
John Rosskopf (second from the left) and lifelong
buddies enjoy being on field at Fenway Park
while on their East Coast bucket list baseball tour.


John Rosskopf took his first trip with Big League Tours in 2014. John is a rabid baseball aficionado, having grown up watching his father pull weeds in the lawn at home with a San Francisco Giants game on and a transistor radio always close by his side. For the past twenty years, John has been attending San Francisco Giants games each year, both at Candlestick and AT&T Park, but didn't get the bug to see all the stadiums until he discovered Big League Tours with three golfing buddies.  

"We were all very impressed with the whole experience...not just the baseball, but the great cities you are exposed to during these tours,” shared John. “Big League Tours gets the best hotels in these fabulous baseball meccas, and you travel with people who love the game too."  

John had already been to the stadiums on the west coast, but the trip back east was definitely eye opening. "I never knew what a great time you could have in other peoples' parks with new found friends who love the game too. I definitely am going to take advantage of this great opportunity and see all the stadiums, as long as I am able to travel."

As for Dunlap, he and his son completed their 30th stadium together this summer. “It’s been an amazing 9 years of traveling together. We have a lifetime of memories that we’ll always carry with us. Completing our bucket list keeps us inspired to help others do the same.”

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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: bucket list

Big League Tours Releases 2013 Baseball Tour Packages

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Thu, Nov 29, 2012 @ 04:32 PM

Baseball Tour Operator Offers Its Largest Selection of Baseball Vacations

Luxury baseball tour provider, Big League Tours, begins its eighth year by announcing its largest selection of baseball tours offered to date. The official announcement came at aChris Welsh (center) with Doug Lawson (left) and Glenn Dunlap (right) at the launch party for the 2013 baseball tours launch party held at the company’s new headquarters outside of Indianapolis. Chris Welsh, former Major League pitcher and current Reds broadcaster, was on hand to assist company President and Founder Glenn Dunlap in introducing the luxury tour packages. In addition to its traditional Multi-City Tours, Big League Tours is offering shorter Destination Tours and Getaway Day Tours in 2013.

The Multi-City Tours include trips to some of the country’s greatest cities and visits to multiple baseball stadiums. Travelers will not only sit in the best seats and stay in great hotels, they will also enjoy other great features such as stadium tours, player meet and greets, and special stadium access. Highlights include the East Coast, Hall of Fame, Midwest and West Coast Tours. Details at www.bigleaguetours.com/2013-baseball-tours/multi-city-tours/

“Without a doubt, our most popular trips each year are the tours that include Yankee Stadium, Fenway Park, The Baseball Hall of Fame and Wrigley Field,” shared Glenn Dunlap, President and Founder of Big League Tours. “But, we have also seen an increase in demand for tours to the West Coast, so fans can see AT&T Park, Dodger Stadium and PETCO Park. We believe we have met that demand with a variety of tours including our Full West Coast, Southern California, and Baseball on the Bay Tours.”

The Destination Tours have been designed for travelers who would like to spend time in one city, enjoy some baseball games and events, and take advantage of custom tour options. Dunlap states, “Taking place on mostly long weekends, these tours will give our guests lots of flexibility and suit the needs for avid, as well as casual, baseball fans.” Highlights include tours to New York, San Francisco, Boston, Denver, and Chicago. Details at www.bigleaguetours.com/2013-baseball-tours/destination-tours/

For the first time, Big League Tours is offering Getaway Day Tours. Getaway Day Tours are one- day excursions in some of Big League Tours most popular baseball cities. As with all Big League Tours, guests will enjoy luxury accommodations and lower level infield seats for the game. The 2013 season will feature Getaway Day Tours in New York, Boston, Chicago, San Francisco, Denver, and Miami. Prices for the Getaway Day Tours start at $500 per person based on double occupancy. Details at www.bigleaguetours.com/2013-baseball-tours/getaway-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. 

###

About Big League Tours

Big League Tours helps fans of all ages experience baseball from a new perspective- from inside the game. Unlike other tour companies, Big League Tours not only takes care of the buses and games for a baseball tour, but also provides all the extras to turn tours into true sports vacations loaded with unique baseball-related events. For more information, contact Big League Tours at www.bigleaguetours.com.

Topics: multi-city baseball tour, east coast baseball tour, bucket list, baseball vacation, baseball tour

Oakland Coliseum - West Coast Baseball Tour Part VI

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Mon, Jul 30, 2012 @ 10:45 AM

Oakland Coliseum, or O.co as it's referred to, is rarely on anyone's must see Coliseumlist unless you're either a diehard A's fan or visiting all 30 stadiums on your quest to complete your bucket list. 

Local fans will tell you that visiting the Coliseum before the addition of "Mount Davis" was much more enjoyable. They're referring to the offices, suites and seating all along the outfield fence and visible in this picture. It gets its name from former Raiders owner, Al Davis, who had this addition made for the football season.

The complaint is that the ginormous wall cuts off the view that was once enjoyed of the community and the rolling hills in the distance. I personally hadn't visited the ballpark prior to the remodel so can't speak from experience. 

I will say, though, that A's fans are great. They're not there for gimmicks or ulterior motives. It's about baseball. This made visiting the Coliseum fun even though I didn't have a dog in the hunt, so to speak. Everyone was into the game and having a great time. Maybe it's because they were thumping the Red Sox? Whatever the reason, our group had a great time in Oakland. 

Here's the Game Summary on MLB.com

Topics: bucket list, A's, MLB road trips, Oakland, Coliseum

Baseball Tour of the East Coast Ballparks up to 20% off

Posted by Doug Lawson on Tue, Apr 24, 2012 @ 11:52 AM

Big Discounts on the East Coast Tour

Join Big League Tours and Sports Illustrated writer Will Carroll on our extensive Touch 'em All Out East luxury baseball tour.  The tour will visit all the great East Coast ballparks and make a stop at the Baseball Hall of Fame.  While on the tour, guests will enjoy 4 star accommodations, stadium tours, lower level seats, the BLT exclusive MLB Player Experience, and time on their own to explore. 

In order to fill this tour, Big League Tours is making this special offer to our fans:

  • Once 10 people book the Full East Coast Tour, everyone gets a 10% discount

  • Then for every person that signs up, we'll give another 1% discount until we reach 20%.

It takes 10 people to sign up for this offer to be a go - so sign up today and spread the word! And remember, every person who books the tour, up to the 20th person, means deeper discounts for everyone!!   This offer ends April 27th, 2012.

Click the link below to get all the info:
East Coast Tour Special

Then just click on the "Purchase this Tour" button to book your luxury baseball vacation package.

Citizens Bank Park

Topics: baseball vacations, Luxury baseball, sports travel and tours, bucket list, baseball travel, Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium, hall of fame

8 Things I Love About Our Baseball Tours (and Can't Wait For!!)

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Thu, Jan 19, 2012 @ 11:30 AM

As we're putting our finishing touches on the 2012 Baseball Tours (and as the snow flies outside my window...), I was thinking about all the things I love about taking our tours and thought I'd share the list with you:

8) Family Time - I love going to games with my family. In fact, that's largely what got me into the business. Sometimes I'll travel with one family member, make it a guys trip, or take the whole clan. It doesn't really matter to me. Quality time with my family at the park is always a great time.

7) Food - So I like to eat. Nothing's as good as Dad and daughter with me at Yankee Stadiumexploring new restaurants around the country and trying out new cuisine. We have found some great places this way. If you are a foodie, too, let us know and we'll help you find something that suits your tastes.

6) New Stadiums - Most baseball fans have at least one stadium on their bucket list - if not all 30! I'm no different. I have just a couple left on my bucket list so I'll be completing it soon. It's always a treat to make it to a new stadium.

5) My Team - My team is the Cincinnati Reds. If I'm not at the ballpark for one of our tours, I'm typically watching or listening to their games. It's great to see them play at home or on the road.

4) New Cities and Sites - One of the best parts of travel is getting to see new cities. Every place has its own culture, feel, and vibe. And whether it's the first time or fiftieth, there are always new things to see and do.

3) Seeing Families Connect - I knew that starting a baseball travel business would allow me to travel with my family and experience things together. What I didn't expect was how much I would appreciate and enjoy seeing our guests connecting. Hearing a grandpa tell his grandkids about players, stadiums, and games from a different era has been great. Added bonus! (And tell me those kids won't remember that forever..?)

2) Meeting New Ballplayers - We arrange player meet & greets on all of our tours which is always a guest favorite (and mine, too!). Talking shop with Big Leaguers and getting their take and perspective from inside the game is very interesting.

1) Fenway Park - What can I say? Fenway is my favorite park in all of baseball. I love the neighborhood, the atmosphere, the age and smell of the park, the Green Monster, wood seats and 100 years of history and nostalgia. It's hard to match that experience anywhere else!

That gives you a few hints about my plans for the summer and what I'll be doing on our ballpark tours. How about you? What do you like about baseball road trips? What do you look forward to the most? Drop us a note so we can share it and potentially incorporate it into our tours!

Topics: baseball road trips, bucket list, Fenway Park, MLB tours, family tours

Announcing Our 2012 Baseball Tours

Posted by Glenn Dunlap on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 10:15 PM
Everyone at Big League Tours is excited to present our 2012 baseball vacation packages. We used the info we collected from our “bucket list” survey, as well as, customer comments and experiences to put together our baseball tours. We think this is one of the most varied and extensive seasons we have ever offered. We will be adding a College World Series package soon, so keep an eye on our website and your email for info on that tour.  

We hope you will join us in the Big Leagues on a Big League Tour in 2012. Please click on the links below to see the tours. As always, call or email with any questions.
 
EARLY BOOKING PROMOTION
Book between now and Dec. 23, 2012, and you will receive one free extra hotel night per room. That means you can go to your first destination a day early, or stay a day afteryour tour, and Big League Tours will pick up the room. Some restrictions apply.
 
Hall of Fame Tour 1- includes Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field
May 14- 19, 2012

 
Big Apple Tour- includes Yankee Stadium and Citi Field
May 16- 20, 2012

 
Hall of Fame Tour 2- includes Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and Fenway Park
June 4- 8, 2012

 
East Coast Tour – Touch ‘Em All Out East!!- includes Nationals Ballpark, Camden Yards, Citizens Bank Park, Citi Field, Yankee Stadium, The Hall of Fame, and Fenway Park
June 21- 28, 2012

 
Hall of Fame Tour 3- includes Yankee Stadium, Citi Field and Fenway Park
June 24- 28, 2012

 
Texas Swing Tour - Includes Rangers Ballpark and Minute Maid Park
June 22- 27, 2012

 
West Coast Tour – Touch ‘Em All Out West!! – includes Safeco Field, AT&T Ballpark, The Coliseum, Dodger Stadium, Angels Stadium, Petco Park and Chase Field
June 29- July 8, 2012

 
Baseball on the Bay with Seattle- includes Safeco Field, AT&T Ballpark, and The Coliseum
June 29- July 3, 2012

 
Southern California Tour with Arizona- includes Dodger Stadium, Angels Stadium, Petco Park and Chase Field
July 4- 8, 2012

 
Midwest Tour 1- includes Target Field, Wrigley Field, Miller Park, US Cellular Field, and Busch Stadium
June 29- July 5, 2012
 

Chicago/ Milwaukee- includes Wrigley Field, Miller Park, and US Cellular Field
June 30- July 4, 2012

 
Hall of Fame Tour 4- includes Fenway Park, Yankee Stadium and Citi Field
July 16- 21, 2012

 
Midwest Tour 2- includes Great American Ballpark, Comerica Park, Progressive Field and PNC Park
July 19- 23, 2012

Topics: bucket list, baseball tours, group tours, family tours, MLB road trips

The Bucket List Winners Are...

Posted by Big League Tours on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 04:45 PM

November 11, 2011 - Thanks to everyone for taking our survey and letting us know what is on your baseball bucket list. We will be using the info to put together our baseball vacation packages for 2012 and look forward to releasing our schedule very soon.Green Monster at Fenway Park

Here are 10 of the top baseball destinations as selected by you.
1.  Fenway Park                                                
2.  Yankee Stadium
3.  Baseball Hall of Fame
4.  Miller Park
5.  Wrigley Field
6.  Oriole Park at Camden Yards
7.  Target Field
8.  Citi Field
9.  AT&T Ballpark
10.  Busch Stadium

Have another favorite or stadium that's still on your bucket list to visit? Drop us a comment and let us know. We'd love to hear from you!

Topics: Citi Field, Miller Park, bucket list, baseball vacation package, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, AT&T Park, Busch Stadium, Yankee Stadium, Target Field, hall of fame, Baseball, Oriole Park, Camden Yards

Here's an Eternal Baseball Trip

Posted by Big League Tours on Sun, Nov 20, 2011 @ 12:30 PM

Follow Your Favorite Team... Into the Afterlife?
November 11, 2008 - There are many die hard baseball fans out there, but I have neFamily tours remember loved ones. ver seen anything like this.  Eternal Image makes unique caskets and urns for their customers.  Clint Mytych, CEO and only 27, of Eternal Image is determined to change the funeral industry with an array of new ways to celebrate the person who has passed. 

Whether it is an urn for your favorite pet or you were a huge Phillies fan and you would like to dedicate your urn to the team, with the permission of Major League Baseball fans can now take it to the next level.

The MLB urns are made from aluminum, sits on top of a wooden shaped base and topped with a clear dome and baseball can be displayed.  Then the logo of the persons favorite team is displayed on the side as well as their name. There is soon to be a casket that focuses on your favorite team as well.  The casket will resemble a wooden bat and will be lined in the persons favorite teams colors.

Are you this big of a fan?  Join us on one of our sports vacations and maybe you'll catch that commemorative baseball that can be displayed on your urn.  Or maybe during one of our baseball stadium tours you could get a bat signed by a special player for that wooden bat casket. If your not ready to take your favorite team to the afterlife just enjoy them now with Big League Tours.

Topics: baseball trips, bucket list, baseball games, Phillies

Mother and Daughter Travel East Coast Baseball Tour

Posted by Big League Tours on Sun, Nov 20, 2011 @ 07:30 AM
Group Tours Brings Families Together
September 8, 2008 - Baseball isn't just for the guys anymore. Two of the most loyal and die hard fans to travel with us were a mother Sports Travel and daughter duo from Texas. Betty and Suzanne decided that they wanted to attend a game at "the house that Ruth built" before the Yankees moved into the new Yankee Stadium. Betty was researching trips and their options and came across our East Coast 1 trip including Fenway Park, Cooperstown, and Yankee Stadium. Things that drew them in were guaranteed stops at three of baseball's most sought after sites. Betty and Suzanne are pictured here with Bill "Spaceman" Lee. Lee, a former pitcher for the Boston Red Sox, joined our guests on a private, escorted tour of Fenway Park. 
 
"The Best part of the trip was getting to make memories with my mom!" states Suzanne. She says that getting to see live baseball in both of these historic places was unforgettable. She recalls the first game at Fenway Park and her mom's reaction. "I wish everyone could have seen her face as she sat down with her scorecard and pencil twenty rows directly behind home plate at Fenway Park. My 63 year old mom was giggling like a 15 year old, and I was doing the same!" I can agree with Suzanne with this statement because I had the opportunity to sit next to them at the Boston game. It has been a great experience working with Big League Tours, but nothing tops seeing the looks on our guests' faces when they sit in their seats and begin to experience what we work so hard to achieve.

Suzanne and Betty achieved their goal of seeing the Yankees play at Yankee Sports Travel PackagesStadium before then end of this year.  They even got to see a Yankee Stadium first where Johnny Damon hit a walk-off game-winning single in the bottom or the ninth. It was the first time a Yankee had ever gone 6-for-6 at Yankee Stadium. Suzanne said, "My mom and I had a wonderful time together. We very rarely get girl time together and thoroughly enjoyed the trip! I'll always remember this time together with her. One of the guys on the tour with us took the trip with his college-age son. He said that it made his heart glad to see a mother and daughter spending time together like this at our age. It gave him hope that he and his son would continue to stay close as they get older, too."

Topics: Red Sox, bucket list, baseball tours, Fenway Park, Yankees, Yankee Stadium