FamilyFun, April 1999The Wide World of Sports AdventuresPLAY BALL! Springtime has finally arrived and with it comes crowded baseball stadiums, Saturday morning soccer fields bustling with kids, and the thump, thump, thumping of a basketball being dribbled on many driveways in America. Whether your family wants to attend a sporting event, play the game, or delve into its history, there's a slew of entertaining sports-related jaunts for all ages. Indeed, to travel with a sports destination in mind is one of the best ways to bond with your kids. You easily transcend the parent/child barrier by rooting for the same team or by cheering for your son or daughter as they take the field. And best of all, many of these events are right at your doorstep. We've tackled three of warm weather's most popular sports-baseball, basketball, and soccer-and listed the most engaging happenings of the year. So go out, grab your bats, balls, and gloves, and have some fun!
McGwire, Sosa and YouWhat parent can resist singing "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" during the seventh inning stretch or catching a bag of peanuts from a vendor in the stands, who often has a better arm than most Major League pitchers? It's no wonder baseball is considered America's national pastime-it's one of the most relaxing enjoyable sports to watch. Anyone who's ever seen a ball walloped over the centerfield fence will attest that the sport is also exciting. Far away from the Major, Minor, or Spring Training ballfields, kids can practice their swings at some of the best batting cages in America or visit the house where Babe Ruth lived. With such a rich history, the choices for baseball buffs are numerous.
The House that Ruth LeftSo they haven't won a World Series since 1918, the last year Babe Ruth played for the team. Boston Red Sox fans still have one of the country's most storied stadiums in the country. Built in 1912, Fenway Park is located in Kenmore Square, in the heart of Boston. On game days, from April to October, families can tour the park and see where the Babe played, along with other Red Sox greats like Ted Williams and Carl Yazstremski. You can enter the dugouts, peek into the scoreboard, even touch the 37-foot-high left field wall, The Green Monster, an enduring symbol from yesteryear. Cost of the tour is $5. Call 617-267-1700.
Front and CenterHere's a novelty that will soon catch on. At Toronto's Skydome Hotel, you can watch an entire baseball game from your hotel window. 70 of the 348 rooms overlook the playing field of the Toronto Blue Jays. Sure, there's no one selling hot dogs here, but if Junior gets bored, he can run to the hotel's Kids Room, where free popcorn, movies, games, and crafts await. Prices of rooms start at $222. Call the hotel at 800/341-1161 and book well in advance for their 81 home games in 1999.
Mark Your CalendarEvery Major League baseball team comes out with their schedule in the spring. Make sure to call your favorite team to find out when they have fun family dates like player autograph day, glove day, and bat day. Here are ten of the best: (Find out in the spring. Need good regional diversity.)
Say Hi to Sammy for MeMake your children's dreams come true and introduce them to their favorite idols during Spring Training. February and March is a fine time to meet professional baseball players in their gregarious pre-season state, signing autographs and greeting fans before and after the games. Most baseball lovers know about the Grapefruit League, spring training in Florida, but few parents realize the long distance between stadiums around the state. In Arizona's Cactus League, there are seven professional teams practicing within an hour's drive from your hotel room in Mesa. All of the stadiums, like the Giants stadium in Scottsdale and the Angels stadium in Tempe, are intimate, single-tier parks with the best seats just a few feet from the baseline. Stay where the Cubs players reside, at the Dobson Ranch Inn (602/831-7000). Next door is Golfland/Sunsplash, Arizona's largest family theme park with three miniature golf courses, a 15,000-square foot castle, and a large water park. Call the Cactus League Baseball Association at 602-827-4700 for ticket and schedule information. Tickets can be purchased from Ticketmaster at 602/784-4444. Here are the seven teams that play in the Greater Phoenix Area:
Not Quite Ready for Prime TimeMaybe you're not familiar with their names yet, but every future Hall of Famer starts their career in the minors. Minor League parks are a great opportunity for young kids to get hooked on the game in a far more relaxed atmosphere than a major league ballpark (you won't fine any loud drunks here, only diehard fans). Try these three sites:
Build It and They Will ComeIn the classic movie, Field of Dreams, an Iowa farmer plows his fields to build a diamond so that the 1919 Chicago White Sox can come back as ghosts and play. The 91-year-old Dyersville, Iowa, farm where the movie was filmed in 1988 is now open to the public. Bring bats, balls, and gloves to this small town in the northeastern corner of the state and pretend you're playing a game with "Shoeless" Joe Jackson and other members of the 1919 club who, in real life, were tossed out of baseball for throwing the 1919 World Series. Admission is free and, depending on the weather, the field is open year-round. Call 319-875-8404.
See the LegendsSince the inception of the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939, Cooperstown, New York, has held a certain aura for Americans as a place where myths are propagated and legends immortalized. The allure of Babe Ruth trotting slowly around the bases after hitting a home run or Lou Gehrig's voice cracking with emotion on the day the Yankees retired his number will forever be embraced by generation after generation of baseball fans who venture here. Ruth's locker can be found here along with Hank Aaron's bat which was used to break the "Sultan of Swing's" lifetime home run record. There's also an exhibition devoted to the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. During World War II, Philip Wrigley, the chewing-gum king, wanted desperately to keep up the interest in baseball while the men were away. He had tryouts for four teams which quickly grew to eight because of the league's increasing popularity. The women had to be at their feminine best. One batter was supposedly called back to the dugout because she forgot to wear her lipstick. One of the best times to make the pilgrimage to Cooperstown is during the annual induction and Hall of Fame Game weekend (book well in advance). You might find Ted Williams walking down Main Street or Willie Mays enjoying a shake at the local diner (hint: Check out the back terrace of the Otesaga Hotel, 60 Lake Street, where many of the greats stay; 800/678-8946). An affordable alternative to the Otesaga Hotel is the Inn at Cooperstown, 16 Chestnut Street; 607/547-5756. Rates per double occupancy start at $89 and include a continental breakfast. The Kansas City Royals meet the Texas Rangers on July 26 in this year's Hall of Fame Game. Call 607-547-7200 for more information. Overlooked, but just as important is the Negro League Baseball Museum, which opened in 1994 in Kansas City, Missouri. In the Grandstand Theater, actor James Earl Jones narrates a 15-minute film that tells the story of Josh Gibson, Satchel Paige, and other great African-American players who never had the chance to play in the Major Leagues until Jackie Robinson broke Baseball's color barrier in 1947. You can find Paige's large glove and Gibson's uniform here, along with bronze statues of all the Negro League players who made it into the Baseball Hall of Fame. Call 816-221-1920.
Just Can't Get Enough of the BabeThe second most popular baseball site after Cooperstown is not the House that Ruth Built (Yankee Stadium), but the one he was born in on February 6, 1895. Here, in the city of Baltimore, at 216 Emory Street, Ruth learned to eat a half-dozen hot dogs at a sitting. You can touch his baseball caps, boyhood bat, and gloves, in this small three-story red brick apartment house before venturing two blocks east to Camden Yards, home of the Baltimore Orioles. Ruth's father once owned a saloon in the same spot that is now Camden Yards' centerfield. Call 410-727-1539.
For the Serious History BuffIn the living museum town of Westville, Georgia, fans can relish the days of baseball yore by donning color bibs and square wool hats and playing a game of baseball a la 1850s. Vintage-styled baseballs are used (McGwire would be lucky to hit one of these balls out of the infield) and white oak bats are hand-carved by Westville's own craftsmen. The game is played on the first Sunday of every month from April through September. Admission is $8 for adults and $4 for children 5 to 18. Call 912-838-6310.
The Factory TourHillerich & Bradsby recently moved their factory back to Louisville, close to where "Bud" Hillerich created the first Louisville Slugger at his father's woodworking shop in 1884. Since that time, almost every baseball great has held an adaptation of this bat on his shoulder, waiting to clobber a ball over the centerfield fence. Famous bats on the plant walls include the one Hank Aaron used to hit homers 698, 699, and 700 and the 1927 Louisville Slugger Babe Ruth came to the plate with to hit 21 home runs. Ruth carved 21 notches on the top of the bat, one for each round-tripper. A miniature 16-inch bat is given to each child as they leave. Admission is free. Call 502-585-5226.
Teach Your Son to be a SouthpawFrom August 22-26, All-American Baseball Camps will be using Cooperstown, New York, for its annual fathers and child baseball league. In this four-day session, boys and girls aged 6 to 13 will learn to improve their hitting, throwing, and catching with special help from instructors and dad. Cost is $895 and includes accommodation and food. Call 732-615-9749.
Improve Your SwingGone are the days when batting cages spit out fastball after fastball. At Fielder's Choice in Brecksville, Ohio (216-838-5138), batters can try their luck in six cages, going against one of the few machines in the country that can throw both curveballs and fastballs in the same at bat. Manhattan's massive Chelsea Piers (212-336-6666) features batting cages in their 90,000-square foot fieldhouse. They also have basketball courts, soccer fields, a driving range, two outdoor rolling rinks, two indoor ice rinks, and a bowling alley. Batters get ten pitches for a dollar.
Farewell to MichaelCan basketball survive without it's all-time best player, Michael Jordan? Come on. Have you seen the lines outside his Chicago restaurant? The Bulls (and the NBA) might be hurting in 1999, but basketball will flourish. Kids are showing their moves at every playground in the country, the fledgling Women's National Basketball Association (WNBA) is quickly gaining popularity, and the Harlem Globetrotters just played their 20,000th career basketball team, more than any other professional sports team in America. Can you whistle "Sweet Georgia Brown"?
See the Pros at Their BestIn sweltering summer days when the city can feel like the Sahara without an oasis in sight, why not pop off the streets and into an air-conditioned arena to catch a WNBA game. At New York's Madison Square Garden, for example, you can watch Rebecca Lobo, Theresa Witherspoon, and other great professionals play for the New York Liberties. They'll take you back to a time when basketball was a graceful sport. Elbows are rarely exchanged and the outside shot is just as important as the slam-dunk. Plus, fans are far less raucous (and far more sober) than at NBA games. After every home game (approximately 16), players sign autographs for the fans. For more information, contact the WNBA at 212-688-9622. Here are the WNBA's 12 teams and phone numbers for tickets and schedule:
Catch 'em if You CanThey dribble under opponent's legs, swish half-court shots, slam-dunk, and make us laugh. What more can you ask from the Harlem Globetrotters, who are now entering their 73rd consecutive year. Led by coach "Geese" Ausbie, arguably the most hilarious Globetrotter of them all, you can expect the chuckles to keep coming at a good clip. Does that pail contain water or confetti? Don't get too close or you might find out. For a schedule of the Harlem Globetrotters, visit their website at www.harlemglobetrotters.com or call 602-258-0000. In early April, they'll be playing in Ontario, Indiana, New York, Virginia, Tennessee, and Mississippi.
Table for Two, with Hang TimeYou have a better chance of being hit by lightning than seeing Michael at his restaurant. But hey, you can always pose with a statue of him outside the United Center, where the Bulls play. The food is surprisingly good and affordable (the kid's menu ranges from $1.50-$4.95). Try the chicken gumbo with large chunks of meat or choose the immense grilled chicken sandwich on herb focaccia. Now that Michael's retired, maybe he'll become the next Julia Child. The restaurant is located in downtown Chicago, on 500 North LaSalle. Call 312-644-3865.
The History BuffNot nearly as rich in history as baseball, basketball still has two museums that families will enjoy:
Play Horse with Mom or DadKirk Speraw, Head Basketball Coach at the University of Central Florida, offers a basketball weekend for families every summer in mid-June. Situated in Orlando, parents participate alongside their children (ages 6-17) and learn the fundamentals of basketball. Cost is $50 for parents and $40 for children, including accommodations on campus. Call 407-823-5808.
Soccer Popularity is SkyrocketingLook across the landscape of America and you're bound to find a game of soccer being played in the city, suburbs, or farmlands. This is especially true on Saturday mornings when your kids are playing in youth soccer games. Indeed, a survey conducted by the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association found soccer to be the hottest sport in the country based on image and expected growth from participation. On a professional level, Major League Soccer is relatively new, but is also increasing in popularity. In 1999, women's soccer will be the rage when America plays host to the Women's World Cup. The American team, which won a gold medal in the 1996 Olympics, are expected to do just as well in the World Cup. Even if you don't make it to a pro game, high quality soccer is bound to be happening at a college near you, usually for free. So give your blossoming soccer stars a treat and take them to see a game.
The WomenThe Women's World Cup is the biggest single sporting event for women in the world. From June 19 to the final on July 10, in the Rose Bowl, you can see the globe's best women soccer players at seven American cities. The American team and their star, Mia Hamm, are accessible to the public, signing autographs after each game. The eight venues are Boston (Foxboro Stadium), Chicago (Soldier Field), Los Angeles (Rose Bowl), New York/New Jersey (Giants Stadium), Portland (Civic Stadium), San Francisco/San Jose (Spartan and Stanford Stadium), and Washington, D.C. (Jack Kent Cooke Stadium). For information on tickets and schedule, call 800-992-8457.
The MenIf you want to see players with blinding speed and incredible athletic skills, go to the nearest Major League Soccer game. If your children want to meet the players, contact your local team and find out where they practice. These sessions are usually open to the public. Currently, D.C. United, L.A. Galaxy, and the Chicago Fire are the three best teams in the MLS. The league's finest players will meet head-to-head in the annual MLS All-Star Game. Held July 17, 1999, in San Diego, California, this is an excellent opportunity to see Cobi Jones, Tad Ramos, and all the other great MLS players. For more information on the All-Star Game, call Major League Soccer at 212-687-1400. Here are the twelve teams in the MLS and their contact numbers:
The AmateurCollegiate soccer is a fun way for families to meet future professionals and see the game on a much more intimate scale. Any nearby college will do, but two ACC teams are perennial powerhouses. The women's team at the University of North Carolina (919-962-0466) has won 14 of the last 16 NCAA championships and The University of Virginia's men's team (804-982-5000) is consistently rated in the Top 10. It's easy to get tickets for games at their small arenas and just as easy to meet the players after the event.
The Know it AllNot far from Cooperstown's Baseball Hall of Fame is The National Soccer Hall of Fame in Oneonta, New York. And believe it or not, it's bigger than Babe Ruth's locker. You can see Pele's jersey and a ball signed by him when he played for the New York Cosmos, archives from the 1994 World Cup held in America, and the world's oldest soccer ball (1855). You can also see highlights of the most exciting World Cup and MLS games on video stations throughout the Museum. Admission is $7.50 for adults and $3.50 for children 12 and under. Call 607-432-3351.
The WebsiteVisit www.tin.it/rete/en, an international soccer site with over one million pages, ten thousand video clips, and seven different languages. It will keep you up to date on every soccer game played in the world that day and give the standings of all the leagues in the world. It also has an extensive soccer bookstore.
The Factory Tour"How does that little ball get in the whistle?" is the question children will inevitably ask upon entering the American Whistle in Columbus, Ohio. Answer: "The little solid cork ball is squeezed and then shot by air compression through a clear plastic tube into each already-assembled whistle," says Karen Axelrod, co-author of Watch it Made in the U.S.A. As the only metal-whistle manufacturer in the country, this is the place that supplies soccer refs with their annoying toys. Cost of the tour is $3 per person. Call 614-846-2918.
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