Visiting an MLB ballpark: tickets, choosing seats, food and ballpark etiquette

Choosing a game

• Weekday games are often easier to get into than weekend games, and day games on a weekday can be quieter.
• Promotional nights may offer giveaways, fireworks or themed events. Teams publish these on their official schedules.
• Rivalry games and weekends are livelier but busier.
• Check the weather. Rain delays happen at open-air parks, while some stadiums have roofs.

Buying tickets

• The team's official site or app is the safest starting point. Most tickets are now digital and stored on your phone.
• Official resale platforms linked from the team's site can be useful for sold-out games.
• Avoid buying from strangers outside the park, where fake tickets are a risk.
• Prices vary by game, opponent and day, so it is worth comparing a few dates.

Choosing seats

• Behind home plate gives the best view of pitches and the strike zone.
• Along the first and third base lines puts you close to the action, but watch for foul balls.
• Outfield bleachers are lively and good for catching home run balls, though further from the plate.
• Upper deck seats are usually the cheapest and give a good view of how plays develop.
• Sun and shade. For day games, check which sections fall in shade. A sunburn over three hours is common.
• Protective netting now extends along much of the lower seating, but stay alert when the ball is in play.

Getting in

• Check the bag policy. Many ballparks limit bag sizes or require clear bags. Read the team's guidelines before you leave.
• Arrive early. Gates often open well before first pitch, and watching batting practice is a highlight for many fans.
• Plan transport. Many parks are reached easily by public transport, and parking can be slow afterwards.

Food and drink

• Every ballpark has local specialities alongside hot dogs, peanuts and crackers. Walking the concourse to see what is on offer is part of the fun.
• Many parks allow you to bring some food and a sealed or empty water bottle. Rules vary, so check first.
• Most stadiums are cashless, so bring a card or phone payment.
• Alcohol sales usually stop at a set point late in the game, and identification is checked.

Ballpark etiquette

• Wait for a break to move. Ushers often hold you at the top of the aisle until the current batter's plate appearance ends. Avoid walking to your seat in the middle of a pitch sequence.
• Stand for the national anthems. Remove your hat as a sign of respect.
• Join the seventh-inning stretch. Fans stand and sing Take Me Out to the Ball Game midway through the seventh inning.
• Foul balls. It is fine to try to catch one, but do not reach into the field of play. Many fans give a caught ball to a nearby child.
• Do not block views. Stand for big moments, then sit back down.
• Be kind to visiting fans. Good-natured rivalry is part of baseball, but keep it friendly.

Making the most of it

• Learn the scoreboard. It shows balls, strikes, outs and the pitch clock.
• Keep score with a scorecard if you want something to do between pitches.
• Stay to the end. Late-inning comebacks are a big part of the sport's charm.