6 Things to Bring to a Baseball Game

Adults might remember that time as a kid when you brought your Little League glove to a Major League Baseball game with hopes of catching a foul ball or snagging a player autograph. Times have changed, at least a little.

You can still bring your glove to baseball games if you want. However, at today’s MLB games, kids and parents alike might bring a variety of items into stadiums, which in recent decades have been designed more for the experiences for kids and families.

You may be surprised by what items clubs allow into their stadiums, at least in special sections, some of which may even have grass berm seating. For instance in 1972, who could have envisioned the number of options we have in purchasing a portable chair?

In this article, we will explore the best things to bring to a baseball game, including modern versions of old favorites like binoculars, to things that some people don’t even know are allowed inside stadiums.

Summary

• Shade umbrellas or canopies protect from the sun’s harmful rays and make watching  baseball games more enjoyable
• Binoculars or sunglasses help see action that might be too far away, or protect your sensitive eyeballs from harmful sun rays. Plus you can look cool.
• A video camera is a better option for games with older players who move much faster than their youth counterparts.
• Wearing a jersey to a game is the ultimate show of team spirit.
• See very bottom for a cool list of Honorable Mentions!

Why to Bring Items to Baseball Games

Anyone who has sat through games at more than a single MLB stadium knows that the experiences can be quite different. Some have shading, some have hardly at all; some are open and prone to high winds; others are more enclosed. Etc.

In fact, even attending multiple games in the same stadium, one could learn that your perception of the excursion can be painted by where and how you sat to watch the action.

A lot of baseball fans don’t mind sitting in the “cheap seats,” which typically are located far up high, far from home plate, or beyond the outfield fences. These fans like the feel of sitting among the blue-collar crowd much like baseball fans were before the advent of night games.

Eventually, many fans establish their favorite places to sit at the stadium, and find ways to choose tickets located in that area, whether it’s in the uber-comfy box seats, hard wood of the bleachers, or open family area familiar to many minor league baseball fans.

Depending on where the seats are located, and on that stadium’s rules for what is allowed into the venue, savvy fans learn their fun experience can be even better with a little more shade, some cooling item, or at least some special sunglasses.

So without further ado, here are some recommendations for what to bring to a baseball game, broken into categories according to what is most important to you: comfort, vision of the game, or remembrance.

Our List: What Things to Bring to Baseball Games

For Comfort at Baseball Games

1. Shade Umbrellas

In the grassy berm areas of minor league stadiums, and even in some areas of MLB venues, you can bring in shade umbrellas to protect from the scorching sun.

And certainly, shade umbrellas are recommended for baseball games from the college level on down to tee ball.

Fans should look closely at new designs aimed specifically at blocking sunlight instead of rain, as modern advances may impress you greatly. Don’t underestimate the value of shade during daytime baseball games!

You Might Want:

• Something not bulky or too long when folded up
• No pointy tops or anything sharp!
• Strap to secure while in crowds at night

1 Thing We Recommend

• Try to find a shade umbrella with some kind of a ventilation feature, for at least a little breeze underneath to help keep cool

2. Canopies

If venues have any open areas free of seats, especially in regions that get very hot over the summer, think about investing in canopies for family excursions to baseball games.

These can be particularly of interest to parents of all star and travel teams in youth baseball or fastpitch softball, where adults may have to sit through multiple games in a single day.

Guess we could add sunscreen to this list … but maybe not, if you have a good canopy.

You Might Want:

• A cover (with wheels preferably) to help with transport
• A feature to allow air flow through covered area
• To inspect user reviews carefully and look for comments on durability; these things can get quite beat up in travels

1 Thing We Recommend

• Consider a canopy with a removable side panel, to block the sun sideways during early morning or pre-dusk games (trust us)

To See Baseball Games Better

3. Binoculars

As noted at the beginning of this article, binoculars are an age-old thing to bring into baseball games, especially once technology advanced and they became smaller and more affordable.

Invented for public consumption in the first quarter of the 19th century, binoculars developed pretty much alongside baseball, which was codified in the middle of that century. Major League Baseball began play in 1876.

As baseball grew in popularity, so too did the size of its venues. By the early 20th century, large stadiums with levels of seating reaching high into the atmosphere surfaced, pushing cheap seats further and further away from home plate. Driving the need to help eyes see play from a long distance.

You Might Want:

• Cover with strap for ease in carrying

1 Thing We Recommend

• Rubber or padded eyecups (the part of binoculars that touch your face and eyes) for extended-period comfort

4. Sunglasses

On top of making you just look super cool, sunglasses can be a savior for baseball fans under the punishing heat and wicked glare of outdoor baseball games.

In fact, for day games, sunglasses are pretty much a must. There has been too much scientific evidence in recent decades about the true damages of ultraviolet rays (UV rays) and infrared rays (IR rays) to our bodies ~ especially the eyes.

We suggest bringing at least one pair to day games, and even if you don’t want to wear them you can share with someone else and possibly save wear on the eyes. (Note: if you have glaucoma, sunglasses are a requirement when staying outdoors for any extended period of time).

You Might Want:

• Go for the most durable, like a pair of sunglasses you know will get beaten around
• Get a neck strap to let the sunglasses dangle down your chest if there is cloud cover
• The bigger the lens, the better?

1 Thing We Recommend

• Wrap-around style, with thick arms nearest the hinges, as sunlight hitting your face from the side or straight overhead can be quite annoying

To Remember Baseball Games Better

5. Video Camera

This might be more appropriate for watching kids’ baseball games, but capturing decent video can be done at school and pro games, too. A quality video camera can capture and memorialize important moments and games forever in digital format.

Smartphone video apps might be acceptable for Little League action, but as they get older you’ll want better quality to capture faster action. Why take a chance for that awesome triple to come out blurry?

Good video cameras have more options for lighting, and especially for controlling the movement (stability) we all struggle with without a tripod. Who brings a tripod to a baseball game?

You Might Want:

• Make durability not the top priority, but definitely within the top 5
• Think comfort and pay attention to where your hand will hold the camera; is there a strap, or padding, or something ergonomic?
• A tripod, if you’re really serious

1 Thing We Recommend

• Look closely for at least 1080p/Full HD output resolution (even better is 4K, or if you have the bucks, 8K)

6. Jersey

What better way to remember an important game or series that you attended by wearing a real-looking baseball jersey? Wearing one to a baseball game shows true team dedication; and then for a long time afterward you can wear the thing all over to continuously rub it in to your arch-rivals.

Diehard fans will probably go with the MLB authentic ones (or MiLB for minor league teams), which are indeed exact replicas of what the pros wear on the field. However, for the budget conscious, there are many, many options out there to show your team colors or support a favorite player.

You Might Want:

• White or lighter jerseys if you attend day games, to cool in the sun (in black jerseys under the sun you will get very hot)
• Consider cotton over the nylon material of pro jerseys, as the pro ones can get a bit hot
• When browsing, see if the garment is safe for bleach ~ in case you drop mustard on it during a big game moment

1 Thing We Recommend

• Don’t overdo it with price, unless you plan to wear the jersey a lot

Honorable Mentions

• Sunscreen (minimum 50 spf)
• Jug/canteen for water/fluids
• Big hat
• Mist sprayer
• Small portable fan
• Pennant
• Homemade sign
• Beach ball
• Paper airplane kit

Final Words

A lot of people ask us how does someone get into baseball? and among the many things we tell them is, go see games! And, while there, get into it!

A great way to enjoy and get into baseball games is to bring the right things that help you better relax and enjoy, but also make those seated near you envious.

Just research and know the rules of the venue you plan to visit, as rule for what is allowed inside differ for Citi Field vs. Yankee Stadium, or the close-in-proximity stadiums for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Angels.