Randall on Baseball

Rick Randall is a Stanwood resident whose passions include his wife and children... and baseball. Beginning with his first Little League baseball game, Randall has been immersed in the sport on all levels. He shares his thoughts with other fan-atics on his blog and in his column in North County Outlook.

Being a north Snohomish County resident, a father of young children and a big baseball fan definitely has its challenges. How do you get in enough live baseball action to satisfy your sporting hunger without sacrificing family time?

It makes the most sense from a time and money standpoint to go to an Aquasox game and take in some quality minor league action with the Mariners short season affiliate in the Northwest League. The family-friendly atmosphere of Everett Municipal Stadium and the kid-oriented entertainment can't be beat for the cost if you have a baseball loving family. If you haven't been, make plans to go. Your kids will love it, and someday down the road you can look back and say, "I saw so-and-so play when he was just 20. I knew he was gonna be a star."

But sometimes kids want - no, demand - a trip to see the big league team and the big league ballplayers. They want to see Ichiro or Felix or Gutierrez or maybe even Jose Lopez. Bottom line is, they want some big league baseball. Unfortunately, that also comes with big league prices-and what can turn into about four innings of baseball.

I have found that the best way to get the whole family to enjoy the game is to make the entire experience, from the drive down to the drive home and everything in-between, one big day trip.

The best way to make this work is to choose a Sunday game, which usually has a 1:05 p.m. start.

Tip number one: Get your tickets beforehand. The Mariners' team site (www.mariners.com) has multiple ticket options, including a link to Stub Hub, where you can usually find some steals.

OK, once you have your tickets, pile the kids, the snacks, the blankets, the change of clothes, the baby wipes (don't forget the tickets) and all of the other essentials into your vehicle of choice and, tip number two, head down towards Seattle early - well before the game starts. We always try to leave our house around 9:30 in the morning, which makes for less hassle, less traffic, fewer headaches.

Choose a nice short stop destination on your way down to Safeco Field. Maybe it's a late breakfast or early lunch at one of the family's favorite restaurants, maybe a stop at one of the great outdoorsy places along the way, or maybe even Ride the Ducks of Seattle if you make it down early enough (and are courageous enough).

The main point here is my tip number three: make it about more than the game.

Finally, choose another stop after the game as a treat to the kids for making it through the game - ice cream, a movie, pizza, a park or a beach - use your own discretion here, but this is again about making the trip about more than the game itself.

You may have to squeeze in a nap or two (for the kids and maybe yourself), and this is more expensive than just a baseball game, but it also gives the family more time together to be a family.

So go watch the Mariners with the family, and make it a day trip. You can watch some baseball, but you can also build some memories and family traditions.