Baseball is America’s favorite pastime and it’s a great family outing, but visiting a minor league team has certain advantages too, especially when you have young children – they’re often not as crowded as major league games, they’re cheaper, the players are often more accessible, and the teams often cater to families.
Whether you prefer the Major or Minor League teams, be sure to check out Baseball Fan Clubs for Kids, where you’ll find information about signing up for fan clubs and receiving FREE tickets to baseball games.
Here are all the local minor league teams and the special events they offer that might be of interest to families:
The Fifth Third Ballpark in Geneva is the home the the Kane County Cougars, an affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks. The Kane County Cougars have sent over 100 players to the Major Leagues, including Rookie of the Year award winners, World Series Champions, and Olympians, so you may just see a future superstar at a game. Families will love the KidZone with inflatables, games, and a swingset, and mascot Ozzie Cougar.
The Cougars regularly have special performers, like the Jesse White Tumblers, pre-game concerts, special pricing offers, and post-game fireworks.
- May 22 – Star Wars Night
- May 24 – Sunday Funday & recycling clothing drive
- June 5 – Harry Potter Night & bobblehead giveaway
- June 19 – Princess & Pirate Night
- June 20 – Jimmy Buffet Tribute Night
- June 21 – Sunday Funday
- July 9 – Chicago Sports Night
- July 10 – Frozen Night
- July 21 – Bark in the Park
- July 23 – Professional Wrestling Night
- July 31 – Superhero Night
- August 1 – Country Night
- August 2 – Martial Arts Day & Sunday Funday
- August 15 – Elvis Night
- August 16 – Back to School Day & Sunday Funday
- August 21 – Peanut Free Night & Stand Up To Cancer Night
- August 23 – Spirit & Cheer Day & Sunday Funday
- August 30 – Sunday Funday
- September 1 – Bark in the Park
- September 5 – Star Wars Night
- September 6 – Sunday Funday & Quick Change performance
The Schaumburg Boomers are a professional team in the Frontier League and play at the Schaumburg Baseball Stadium in Schaumburg. Coop the Boomer, a Grand Prairie Chicken, is their mascot and keeps the crowds having fun. Little ones will love Coop’s Kids Corner where they can play games and jump on inflatables. The Boomers often have post-game fireworks, and opportunity for kids to run the bases after the game, and special discounts on food and tickets.
See my post about our experience at a Schaumburg Boomers game in 2012.
- May 27 – Kids Day
- May 30 – Princess Night
- June 5 – Harry Potter Night
- June 7 – Bark in the Park
- July 3 – Independence Day Celebration & fireworks
- July 4 – 4th of July Celebration & fireworks
- July 5 – Family Sunday
- July 10 – Superhero Night
- July 12 – Family Sunday
- July 24 – Jimmy Buffet Night
- July 25 – Country Night
- July 26 – Squirt Gun Day
- August 7 – Star Wars Day
- August 8 – Post-game marshmallow fight
- August 9 – Scavenger Hunt & Family Sunday
- August 12 – Grandkids Day Out
- August 21 – Disney Night
- August 22 – Field of Screams
- August 23 – Bark in the Park, Family Sunday, & post-game autographs
- August 30 – Family Sunday
- September 3 – Fan Appreciation Night
Major League players Dylan Axelrod, Andrew Werner, and 21 others were once members of the Windy City Thunderbolts, a professional minor league team in the Frontier League. Official mascot Boomer (not to be confused with the Schaumburg Boomers) and the Windy City Thunderbolts team call the Standard Bank Stadium in Crestwood home. Kids who attend the game can visit the Dino Jump Kids Zone to enjoy a Jump-n-Fun and tee-ball, there are often special discounts, and lots of games are followed by fireworks.
- May 28 – Blitz Pro Wrestling
- May 30 – Crestwood Community Night
- May 31 – Standard Bank Family Day
- June 7 – Standard Bank Family Day
- June 11 – Blitz Pro Wrestling
- June 13 – Beatles Night
- June 14 – Standard Bank Family Day
- June 25 – Blitz Pro Wrestling
- June 27 – Princess Night
- June 28 – Standard Bank Family Day
- July 9 – Blitz Pro Wrestling
- July 11 – Christmas in July
- July 12 – Standard Bank Family Day
- July 21 – Big Splash Day
- July 22 – Big Splash Day
- July 23 – Blitz Pro Wrestling
- August 1 – Superhero Night & Camp Out Night
- August 2 – Standard Bank Family Day
- August 6 – Blitz Pro Wrestling
- August 15 – Elvis Night
- August 16 – Standard Bank Family Day
- August 27 – Blitz Pro Wrestling
- August 29 – Super Mega Post Game Fireworks Spectacular
- August 30 – Fan Appreciation Day & Standard Bank Family Day
The Joliet Slammers are a professional Minor League team in the Frontier League that plays in Silver Cross Field in Joliet. Mascots Spikes and JL Bird entertain the crowd, and when the kids get antsy they can visit the Kids Zone. Fireworks, kids run the bases, & discounts are offered several times throughout the season.
- May 22 – Princess Night
- May 24 – Family Sunday & Military Appreciation Night
- June 2 – Teacher Appreciation Night & Anti-Bullying Night
- June 4 – 60s Night
- June 5 – Star Wars Night
- June 6 – Salute to the ‘85 Bears
- June 7 – Family Sunday & Bark in the Park
- June 11 – Mardi Gras Night
- June 18 – Motor City Night
- June 19 – 90s Night
- June 21 – Family Sunday
- June 26 – Superhero Night
- June 28 – Family Sunday & Pet Night
- June 30 – Faith Night
- July 2 – Independence Day Celebration & Fireworks
- July 9 – Country Music Night
- July 10 – Lego Night
- July 11 – Jackhammer Night
- July 12 – Hispanic Heritage Night
- July 24 – Back to the Future
- July 25 – Christmas in July
- July 26 – Family Sunday & Mascot Mania
- July 31 – Happy Birthday Harry Potter
- August 1 – Augustober Fest
- August 2 – Kids Run the Show, Police & Fire Night, & Family Sunday
- August 7 – Princess Night
- August 8 – Happy 100th Birthday Milano
- August 9 – Family Sunday & Bark in the Park
- August 20 – One Hit Wonders
- August 27 – Classic Rock Night
- September 4 – Halloween
- September 5 – Breast Cancer Awareness – Save the Cans recycling
- September 6 – Family Sunday & Fan Appreciation
The Gary SouthShore Railcats play at U.S. Steel Yard in Gary, and are a member of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball. Rusty and Rascal are the team’s mascots and the Railcats offer weekly specials, performances, firework displays, and regular giveaways.
- May 30 – Kids t-shirt giveaway
- May 31 – Bark in the Park
- June 13 – 30th anniversary of Back to the Future
- June 14 – North Shore Health Center Health Fair
- June 16 – Sport Your Colors Day
- June 27 – INFEAT Autism Night & pre-game 5K
- July 13 – Youth & Senior Day
- August 20 – Bark in the Park
- August 29 – Clunker Car Night
- September 6 – Photo with a Railcat Day
- September 7 – Fan Appreciation Day
A version of this post originally appeared on MommyNearest.com.
