What age was your kid's first baseball game?

[Anonymous]

DH and I were chatting about how excited we are to one day take our kid to a Nats game. I asked him what age he thought that would be, and neither of us had any idea. So, what age was your kids' first professional baseball game? Any advice? Regrets?

[Anonymous]

Two. Probably a mistake. She didn't want to sit still for too long, but loved the nachos. I'd go on one of the days where kids have the chance to be on the field and run bases or see fireworks. It's tough to stay the whole time with the pace of baseball, so plan to arrive late or leave early.

[Anonymous]

My DD is 22 years old and has never been to a baseball game. She has zero interest. Our 14 and 11 yr olds have also never been, for the same reason.

I think our son (25) went to one or two, in college.

[Anonymous]

First Keys game at around 3.5 when he started tee ball. It didn’t cost much, was easy to get there and we sat right behind home plate. Very relaxed. He didn’t last the whole game, but that was fine.

First Nats game at 6 when he became a Nats fan and watched games on TV and understood the game. He was attentive throughout the whole game and loved it. We sat above the bullpen and he loved watching the pitchers warm up as well.

[Anonymous]

I took DD at 3-4 months. It was DC summer, so we bought cheap seats and spent time at the picnic tables (I can't remember which section they are behind) because they were shadier. Mainly went because I like the ballpark atmosphere and food. Now we try to go to one game each season, DD likes the food and there's a cute kid's play area now that she's big enough.

[Anonymous]

We took our son a couple of times when he was in the 4-6 month range. We didn't go last summer and probably won't be taking him this summer either. He is a toddler and will not be sitting still for a game any time soon. We are going to the game tonight so I may check out the kids' play area to see if we could do a game or two this summer.

[Anonymous]

19 mo. She napped in the carrier with her Banz on for most of the time.

[Anonymous]

We took our oldest to a Nats game when he was 3 months old and it was great, but he's 4 now and I probably would wait another year or so before taking him. Also, the game we took him to was Jordan Zimmermann's no hitter, so it was a short (but exciting!) game.

[Anonymous]

It can be very hot. Many seats are not shaded. If you are stuck on the concourse with your child who can't sit in the seat, why even go to the game?

My oldest is turning 5 this summer and I've thought maybe it'd be fun with her. But our 2 year old? No. I don't need to pay entry fees for them to run around like crazy people.

It's also much louder than you realize in there. Not good for very little babies.

[Anonymous]

We took our DD a lot whe she was under 1. We went one time at 2 (work event - family day at Nats Park) and it was a disaster. Now at 4 we have started going again but usually only get there 1/2 the game. But DD has fun! We are planning on more games this summer and minor league (Bowie Baysox which we very geared towards LOS). Basically I’d say skip years 1-3.

[Anonymous]

He was 4 and we left midway through. Bowie Baysox has a smaller field and usually some sort of mascot/kids activity to go along with it.

[Anonymous]

5-6 months old. Day game, seats in the shade, headphones for baby, walked around with him in the carrier when he got fussy. It was fun. Went again when he was almost 2 (22 months or so). It was ok but we just switched off who was walking around/at the playground with him so neither of us saw much of the game bu he had fun. Haven’t had the desire to go back w him since then. He’s 4 now and still doesn’t care about actually watching the game, he still would think it’s too loud and hot and would complain a lot.

[Anonymous]

DS was 4, we went to a Cubs game with for Fathers Day. We went knowing that we would watch a little baseball, buy ice cream and hot dogs, and leave early. And that was OK. Now at 6, almost 7, he is playing baseball and starting to enjoy going to games to watch the game, although the ice cream and hot dogs are still very important to him.

[Anonymous]

Take a three or four year old to a Bethesda Big Train game. It's summer college players, and quite entertaining. Plenty of run around space for little ones and a lot less expensive than the Nationals(for tickets and regreshments)!

[Anonymous]

My baseball-loving son went to his first Nats game right when he turned 7 (he’s 9 now). Older kid went when she was 9 but she hates baseball so attends very infrequently. My BIL works for the Nats in a fairly visible capacity so he’s taken my kids around the media box to see the inner workings of it all.