If you have die-hard baseball fans in your house, this is the most wonderful time of the year.  While Dodgers Stadium is the obvious choice for a game, there is another option. The Quakes are a minor league team based in Rancho Cucamonga where you can see future (and rehabbing current) major league stars. The intimacy of sitting behind home plate, the joy of meeting mascots and the inexpensive ticket prices make seeing the Quakes a home run.

photo credit: LeTania Kirkland

The (Home)Rundown
The Quakes are the farm team of the beloved LA Dodgers and play at Loan Mart Stadium. Here kids can watch young hopefuls (and rehabbing stars—Yasiel Puig played several rehab games here this spring, and Carl Crawford did a short stint this summer) play in the minor leagues with the hopes of moving on up one day.  Games are played against other California teams from Lake Elsinore to San Jose. There is music pumping and the team’s mascots, Tremor and Aftershock, keep the innings rolling. These lively “Rallysaurus” buds dance across the stadium, walk through the aisles offering up high fives and they even cool kids down with a high powered water gun (for the willing).

photo credit: LeTania Kirkland

Play Zone
Even the greatest baseball fan can get antsy, and this stadium has the answer with their play zone. Along the third base line, there is a bounce house, air activated floating baseball tee and a pitching game for kids. If they tire of that, this is also a perfect place for the kids to hang out with their gloves and hope for a foul ball. Be ready.

photo credit: LeTania Kirkland

Grub
You’ll find the standard baseball fare here but with lower price points than their major league counterparts. Dodger Dogs, fries, nachos and beyond—it’s all here. Plus, like any good ball game, vendors are walking up and down the aisles with staples like peanuts and popcorn as well as more recent additions like Dippin’ Dots. If a classic cold treat is what you’re after, you can find soft serve ice cream along with other treats downstairs at the Sweet Spot.

photo credit: LeTania Kirkland

Inter-Inning Activities and Other Extras
Besides watching the game and dancing along to the music, there are other activities to keep kids interested. Fans are chosen at random to participate in activities like limbo, memory games and baseball trivia, with prizes to boot. It’s also a great idea to check out the Quakes promotions page on their website. There are free bobble head giveaways, fireworks and $1 family feast nights.  And if that wasn’t enough, it is a Quakes tradition to let the kids run the bases after each and every game. Get those little legs pumping.

photo credit: LeTania Kirkland

Tickets and Parking
Tickets range from $9-$13 (this can’t be beat). And in this stadium there truly is not a bad seat in the house. If shade is important to you on a day game (they are rare) be sure to ask for Club Seats in the shade. Parking is abundant, a very short walk to the stadium and only $4.

photo credit: LeTania Kirkland

So, go root, root, root for the other home team.  Kids will have a blast and you’ll save some bucks!

Quakes Baseball
Loan Mart Stadium
8408 Rochester Ave.
Rancho Cucamonga
909-481-5000
Online: milb.com/index.jsp?sid=t526

Have you caught a minor league game?  We’d love to hear your favorite baseball story in the comment section.

—LeTania Kirkland

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