Summer is nearly upon us and you may be feeling that end of term panic all parents feel when confronted with the idea of entertaining young kids every. stinking. day. All day. Thanks a lot school, way to force my own kids upon me.
When there’s only so much storytime you can take and your kids have wrestled the iPad from its hiding spot for the umpteenth time, that is the time for something new, interesting and OUTDOORS.
Enter the Indianapolis Indians. And enter my all time favorite summer club: The Knot Hole Club.
In case you’re not a baseball fan or you’ve lived under a {notice I didn’t say ‘on’} deck for the last 20 years, Victory Field downtown is home to the Indianapolis Indians, the farm team for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Lawn seats at Victory Field are affordable {$8 for adults} and they are chock full of kids whose attention spans are right on par with that of your kids.
This means that not only are you going to get the opportunity to expose your little ones to America’s pastime, by you can keep them learning with a downloadable worksheet or just watch as they learn to interact with their peers. Some of my favorite memories from last summer involved watching my son and daughter form a 6 inning-long friendship based entirely around playing catch.
REMEMBER THE TIME: The Indy’s Child Insiders got a sneak peek of the 2016 Indians season at Victory Field?
You can bring your own food in, you can sit on a blanket, and unless it’s a really crowded day there is space for your kids to wander without getting in anyone’s way or out of your eye-line.
I personally recommend hitting up the Friday games to see the post-game fireworks with your kids. It’s a great way to start the weekend.
Of course Sundays are almost the greatest thing since sliced bread: All kids ages 14 and under are eligible for the special Sunday Kids Eat Free promo. As in a hot dog, water and bag of chips all for the grand total of FREE are included with paid admission.
Best of all with membership in the Knot Hole Club your kids get a t-shirt and lawn seats to every home game this season for the sweet price of $17 {good for ages 14 and under}. This also gives them to the chance to shout “Play Ball!” at the start of any game they attend and run the bases every Sunday home game. My son got to be the “Play Ball” kid last year, and let me tell you, nothing for the rest of the summer was more important to him than that moment!
Here’s a quick look at some upcoming promotions fantastic for the family:
- May 20: Friday Fireworks + Boy Scout Overnight
- May 21: Marvel Superhero Night – Ironman
- May 31: Youth Clinic. Kids may bring a glove to the ballpark and learn baseball skills from the pros at a pregame clinic.
- June 10: Friday Fireworks + Girl Scout Overnight
- June 12: PBS Kids Day at the Ballpark. Join WFYI Public Media at Victory Field and meet some favorite characters including: Super Why, Alpha Pig and Woofster!
- June 25: Marvel Superhero Night – The Hulk
Also, new this year are the 2-for-1 Tuesdays when Central Indiana McAlister’s Deli locations will have vouchers good for two-for-one admission to any Tuesday home game.
Indians games are more than baseball, it’s a chance at bonding, at unplugging, at playing catch with your kids and teaching them the love of the in-park hot dog. In my opinion, it offers the most affordable and memorable family fun you can have in Indy this upcoming season. Summer in our family isn’t summer until we’ve cooled off in the misters at Victory Field.
MORE INFO: The Indianapolis Indians 2016 season runs thru September 3, 2016. Game times vary by week and tickets are available for each game beginning at $8/pp. Check out all the different events and promos going on at IndyIndians.com. Advanced ticket purchase is recommended but not required. Victory Field is located at 501 W. Maryland Street in downtown Indianapolis. Call {317} 269-3545 or visit IndyIndians.com for additional details.
[luis]
