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Review from the Road: Reading Phillies

Family Fun Abounds in Baseballtown

July 11, 2014

I was sitting at work when my husband surprised me with a call saying we should take the kids to see the Reading Phillies that night. We have taken our 4-year-old son to probably almost a dozen games, but this would be the first for our 2.5-year-old daughter. But the weather was great, so we gave it a whirl and I'm so glad we did!

The fun started right away with a free happy half-hour in Phunland for Redners Kids Club Members, which is free to join. The Phunland kids play area includes a giant inflatable slide, a mini golf game, speed-pitch and the game where you use a mallet to try to ring the bell. A great way for the kids to burn off some energy and I can't even tell you how many times my son raced up that slide.

If you go on a night without the happy half-hour, you can buy tickets for Phunland games for $1 each or for $10 get a wristband that allows unlimited access.

Then, it was time for dinner and what else do you eat at a baseball game besides hot dogs? OK, my kids also had ice cream and a sno-cone and I had some popcorn in there, too. This is another thing I love about the R-Phils and Baseballtown though. The food prices are so reasonable - $2 for hot dogs, $2 for a sno-cone and my end-of-the-night popcorn was only $1.

We just had general admission tickets compared to reserve seats knowing that our kids wouldn't sit still for a whole game anyway. But every seat in First Energy Stadium has a great view and is close to the action (if you have older kids definitely have them bring a glove!).

Speaking of close, this is also a great park for player access and my son collected a handful of autographs on his baseball as players passed from the locker room to the field, and was proudly showing it off to his little sister all night.

As for our daughter, she wasn't into the players, but she did love the R-Phils Mascot group. Kids can meet each of the mascots for free autographs and photos, including the famous Crazy Hot Dog Vendor, at various times throughout the game.

Another great thing about the park that I appreciate as a potty-training mom is the number of bathrooms, including multiple family restrooms that include a changing table, and how clean they stay throughout the game.

And even after the game, the fun continued with a terrific fireworks display that had a finale where even I was as wide-eyed and impressed as my kids! The team does have fireworks after almost all of their remaining home games, and you can view the rest of their fun giveaways and promotions on the schedule.

The Reading Phillies have home games through August, so grab the family and enjoy a game at America's Classic Ballpark. Ticket prices range from $6-$11 and kids 4 and under don't require a ticket for general admission seating or to sit on your lap in reserved seating, so even bring your littlest Macaronis, I'm sure they'll have a blast!

 

Disclosure: My family received complimentary general admission tickets to facilitate this review. However, all opinions expressed are my own.