Have You Covered the Bases for Dad and Father's Day?

Posted by Big League Tours on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 10:15 AM
Wouldn't Dad love a luxury baseball tour from Big League Tours this year?  It's a great vacation for the whole family, or the perfect father/son-daughter trip.  There are several MLB tours still available for the 2011 season.  Just click on a link below to see all the info.

Midwest Plus, July 20- 26, 2011

Chicago/Milwaukee, August 2- 6, 2011

Reds Road Trip, August 5 - 8, 2011

Big Apple, August 10- 14, 2011

Oktoberfest in Cincinnati, September 16 - 18, 2011

Escorted tours make great gifts for baseball fans. Check out the tours still available and give Dad a gift that he'll remember for a lifetime!!

Topics: stadium tours, Luxury baseball, Milwaukee, Miller Park, baseball games, baseball tours, Wrigley Field, big league tours, Brewers, Chicago, Baseball, Cubs

Visiting Baseball's Iconic Stadiums

Posted by Big League Tours on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 08:45 AM
April 25, 2011 - A recent article named 5 of MLB's baseball stadiums as the most iconic stadiums to visit: Wrigley Wrigley Field under the press boxField, Fenway Park, Camden Yards, AT&T Park, and Citi Field. The article by Fox News outlines the reasons for why you should visit each of the ballparks from the atmosphere, food selection, and unique features like the ivy-covered walls at Wrigley, the Green Monstah at Fenway, and views from the parks in Baltimore and San Francisco.

If you haven't made it to these parks, we would like to invite you to join us on one of our premier sports travel packages this year. We'll not only get you to the ballparks, but we also include several other extras like great seats, great hotels, player appearances, baseball stadium tours, and other trip specific features.

Check out the tour vacations at www.BigLeagueTours.com and book your package today!

Topics: Citi Field, San Francisco, sports travel and tours, Baltimore, baseball tours, baseball vacation package, Fenway Park, Wrigley Field, big league tours, Chicago, Green Monster, MLB road trips, Baseball, Cubs

Big League Tours on the Reds Caravan

Posted by Big League Tours on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 05:15 AM
January 28, 2011 - Pitchers and catchers can report to Spring Training in a little over two weeks which means that it won't be long until we have Major League Baseball! That also means that it's almost time for MLB road trips!

In December we announced a package that we're offering in partnership with the Cincinnati Dave Parker meeting with our group while on a private stadium tourReds Community Fund. It's a weekend in Chicago to see the Reds play the Cubs for three games at Wrigley Field. Baseball fans will enjoy the series at Wrigley from great, lower-level seats as well as great hotel accommodations in Chicago, meet & greets with an MLB player, transportation to the stadiums, and a Big League Tours host on the tour.

We'll be out promoting the baseball tour this weekend at a few of the stops for the Reds Caravan. We'll also have information about all of our baseball vacation packages. So whether you're thinking of taking family tours or group travel tours, stop by and chat with us about the 2011 baseball season and see which of our tour vacations are for you.

Topics: baseball tours, baseball vacation package, Wrigley Field, big league tours, sports vacation, Chicago, Reds, MLB road trips, Cubs

Catching the Game at U.S. Cellular Field

Posted by Big League Tours on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 02:45 AM
August 30 - The Tuesday night game of our Midwest 1 and 2 Tours was at U.S. Cellular Field between the Chicago White Sox and the Texas Rangers. After a sweltering Sunday afternoon game at Wrigley on Sunday, it was great to get a break from the heat on this night game. It's interesting to note how the fans on our MLB tours pick up on the difference between the fans at Wrigley and those at Josh Hamilton takes the plate during one of our group travel tours in Chicago.the Cell. Even though the Sox lost the game, it was interesting and the hometown fans were stoked about their team. The White Sox webpage has videos and the box score from the game.

Here's a photo that I took from our seats at the game. Not a bad view, huh? I can't reinforce enough how important it is for us to get you great seats for the games. Other sports travel companies won't get you this close. You'll likely be in group seats in the upper deck out by the foul pole. We've been told by our customers that they didn't dream they would sit this close on any travel package tours. We want you to be satisfied but it doesn't need to be a surprise!

Topics: White Sox, Rangers, sports travel and tours, Wrigley Field, MLB tours, Chicago, U.S. Cellular Field

Behind the Scenes Tour at Wrigley Field

Posted by Big League Tours on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 01:45 AM
July 23, 2010 - Whenever our schedules allow, we try to include baseball stadium tours on our sports vacation packages. They are a great way for fans to see the stadiums in depth and get closer to the game they love.

Cubs clubhouse - photo taken on a stadium tour on a Big League Tours baseball roadtripOne 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

Different Vantage Point at Wrigley

Posted by Big League Tours on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 01:30 AM
July 23, 2010 - I have had the good fortune to visit most of the Major League ballparks. Many of them quite a few times, especially the most popular parks and places our clients love to visit. If you've been on one of our tours, you know that we take your seat locations very seriously. It's something that's quite different about us from the other guys.

I've heard customers of our competitors say that they sat four rows from the top at Yankee Stadium and were clear out by the foul pole. Never on one of our tours. You'll sit in lower level seats, most of the time between the bases, sometimes just outside. Our goal is for you to walk into the ballpark, be amazed at the sites, and love your seats. My favorite reaction is to hear our customers walk out of the stadium and say, "Those were fantastic seats!"

Admittedly, seat location is one of the reasons that I started this biz. I don't want to be four View from just under the press box at Wrigleyrows from the moon at Yankee Stadium and don't think you do either. All that said, I've now started buying tickets for myself in varied locations when I'm on our MLB road trips. I'm enjoying checking out the different baseball stadiums from different vantage points. I'll do this expecially if it's a park that I've been to many times or one where we are seeing multiple games at the same stadium on one of our MLB tours.

Case in point, here's a shot that I took from my seats at Wrigley on a recent visit. I have to admit, I really enjoyed these seats. As you can see, it's a great view of the ballpark. You can see all of the action from here. It's in the shade, which was really important on a Sunday afternoon game when the temps were in the 90's. And, if you've ever been to Wrigley you'll appreciate this, there wasn't anybody walking in front of us during the game!

I'll definitely sit in these seats again. There just below the announcers booth so if they were good enough for Harry all those years, they have to be good.

Topics: baseball tours, baseball stadiums, Wrigley Field, MLB tours, Yankee Stadium

How Does This Keep Happening??

Posted by Big League Tours on Wed, Nov 23, 2011 @ 01:15 AM
July 23, 2010 - I think it was Woody Allen who said that, "90% of life is just showing up." That certainly seems to be the case for my son. As we walked of the "El" and into Wrigley Field for the Sunday afternoon game between the Cubs and Cardinals, he was stopped by a young woman who asked if he would be interested in watching batting practice from the field. She was wearing a shirt that said Chevy on it so I asked if I had to buy a car or something to make it happen. After all, things like that just aren't free, are they?? She assured me that I didn't and gave everyone in our group passes to get down to that section with him.

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

Updates to the Friendly Confines

Posted by Big League Tours on Tue, Nov 22, 2011 @ 09:15 PM

February 10, 2010 - Fans who have taken baseball travel tours to Chicago, know that Cubs fans love their Wrigley Field - and they should. It doesn't get much better than being in Wrigleyville on game day. From the minute that you step off the "L", you are in the heart of the action. Vendors line the streets selling t-shirts, to peanuts, to water, to tickets. Throngs of people mill around outside the stadium, many of whom are walking to or from the famous Wrigley Field sign that greets you on the corner of Clark and Addison, pictured here during a night game.

As you would expect with any venue built in 1914, there are constant renovations and repairs taking place. One of the coolest changes taking place this year is that we'll be able to watch players working on their swings in the batting cage under the right field bleachers through a one way glass.

Big League Tours is offering a couple of ways to get to Wrigley this year. We have travel package tours that will get you there including our Midwest 1 and  Midwest 2 tours. And for those of you located in Central Indiana, we're offering day trips for the first time this year where we'll leave Indianapolis, head to Chicago, Cincinnati or St. Louis for games and come back after the game. We have a few options to see the Cubbies so check out the tours and join us, won't you?

Topics: baseball vacations, St. Louis, Wrigley Field, big league tours, Chicago, Cubs, Cincinnati

2010 Baseball Trip Feature - Midwest 2

Posted by Big League Tours on Tue, Nov 22, 2011 @ 06:30 PM
December 16, 2009 - Our Midwest 2 baseball vacation package begins in Chicago. Our group will meet at our hotel on the Magnificent Mile in Chicago and begin the tour by heading out to Wrigley Field for the great rivalry of the Cardinals vs. the Cubs for what will likely be a Sunday afternoon game.

On Monday, you'll have the opportunity to see the sites in Chicago - shop till you drop, take escorted tours of the architecture or skyline of the city, or take some family tours of the great museums. The next day will venture to US Cellular Field to see Josh Hamilton and the Rangers take on Ozzie's White Sox.

Wednesday we'll depart for St. Louis and Busch Stadium to see the Cardinals in their home venue. We'll stay in the heart of the city that evening and then leave for Kansas City in the morning. While in KC we'll see a game at Kaufmann Stadium and visit the Negro League Museum for a look into some of the rich history of baseball.

This premier sports travel package promises to be a great time. For more details on this baseball tour and our other sports vacations, visit BigLeagueTours.com.

Topics: St. Louis, Rangers, Wrigley Field, big league tours, Chicago, U.S. Cellular Field, Cardinals, Cubs

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