FOR A professional baseball game where cotton candy sells faster than beer, kids are on the bases as much as the players and fans yell things like, "go gray team," rather than cursing the ump, swing over to the minor leagues.
The area sports three teams -- the Bowie Baysox, the Frederick Keys and the Woodbridge-based Potomac Cannons -- and each offers a refreshing look at our national pastime. In addition to seeing nine innings of baseball up close, you'll enjoy offbeat on-field contests between innings and plenty of sponsored giveaways. Pennant fever hasn't struck any of the local teams (they are solidly at the bottom of their divisions), but there's plenty of affordable family fun to keep anyone from noticing. Highlights of each area team follow.
BOWIE BAYSOX
Known for regularly shooting off some of the best post-game fireworks, the Bowie Baysox are celebrating 10 years as the AA affiliate of the Baltimore Orioles. Ticketed KidsPark activities, like a carousel, Titanic slide and face painting keep youngsters occupied, while many of the between-inning games and contests cater to grown-ups as much as kids.
Team slogan: "YOUR Hometown Team"
Team mascot: Louie, an amorphous green animal that looks like a cross between Sesame Street's Snuffleupagus and Barney.
Typical between-inning diversions: Adults race to put on frozen T-shirts; kids try to capture stuffed crawfish catapulted from a giant slingshot; and Bristles, the human toothbrush, spruces up home plate.
Stadium: Capacity at Prince George's Stadium tops 14,000, but it feels surprisingly intimate. Oversize barbecue sandwiches at the Black Angus Grille stand and the pub grub at the Diamond View restaurant put the food more in the realm of Camden Yards than a high school ballgame. And the parking is always free.
Ticket prices: Box seats: $12-$14, all ages. General admission: $8 adults; $5 youth, seniors and active military.
Weekly promotions: Mondays: With any cash register receipt showing a Country Crock purchase, receive four general admission tickets plus four hot dogs, small popcorns and small sodas, for $44 (a $58 value). Tuesdays: 2-for-1 admissions with a Safeway Club card. Monday through Thursdays: Little Leaguers age 12 and under in uniform receive free general admission tickets. Sundays: fans under 12 can run the bases after the game.
• Fireworks nights: June 21, 22; July 4, 6, 13, 25; Aug. 3, 8, 10, 15, 17, 18, 29.
• Giveaway games: July 12: floppy hats to the first 2,500 fans 21 and over; Aug. 2: Little League bats to the first 1,000 fans 12 and under; Aug 9: Cal Ripken bobbleheads to the first 2,000 fans 13 and over.
• Upcoming promotions: Sunday: Louie's Fifth Birthday Celebration; June 25: Dog Days of Summer (bring your canine to the game); July 22: University of Maryland Night; July 25: X-Games Night; Aug. 2: Scout Night Sleepover; Aug. 16: Tribute to Elvis Presley; Aug. 29: Fan Appreciation Night.
FREDERICK KEYS
You won't need the words to "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" at a Frederick Keys game, but you will need to master some vigorous key shaking -- the favored activity during the seventh-inning stretch for fans of the Orioles' Class A affiliate. Any time during a game kids flock to the Fun Zone's carousel, moon bounce, speed pitch and carnival games (tickets required), while adults searching for a real night out feast on a three-course buffet dinner at the Keys Cafe.
Team slogan: "Where EVERYONE plays"
Team mascot: Keyote, a Wile E. Coyote look-alike suited up in a Keys uniform.
Typical between-inning diversions: A son tosses softballs that mom tries to catch in oversize pants; sibling rivalry hits the field in a footrace of the bases; and the most spirited fan wins 100 lottery tickets and shares the wealth with his row.
Stadium: The Harry Grove Stadium dishes out better-than-average stadium fare, ranging from pulled pork sandwiches to funnel cakes, and rallies the crowds by dishing out classic rock tracks and '80s favorites (think Straycats and the Cure). Parking is free.
Ticket prices: Box seats: $9-$11 all ages. General admission: $8 adults; $5 youth, seniors and active military.
Weekly promotions: Sundays: 2-for-1 admissions with a Safeway Club card. Tuesdays: 2-for-1 admission with a coupon from the local newspaper. Thursdays: With any cash register receipt showing a Country Crock purchase, receive four general admission tickets, four small popcorns and small sodas, four Fun Zone tickets and four souvenirs for $24 (a $63 value). Monday through Thursdays: Little Leaguers 12 and under in uniform receive free general admission tickets. Sundays: fans under 12 can run the bases after the game.
• Fireworks nights: June 30; July 2, 11, 26; Aug. 1, 3, 15, 22, 30, 31.
• Giveaway games: June 28: team photo magnets to the first 2,000 fans; July 12: cooler bags to the first 1,000 fans 18 and over; baseball caps to the first 1,000 fans 18 and over; Aug. 2: bats to the first 1,000 fans 12 and under; Aug. 4: CD holders to the first 1,000 fans 12 and under; Aug. 16: floppy hats to the first 1,000 fans 18 and over; Aug. 18: Keyote bobbleheads to the first 1,000 fans 12 and under.
• Upcoming promotions: July 1: NASCAR Night; July 13: Scout Family Sleepover; Aug. 6: Keyote's 10th Birthday Celebration; Sept. 2: Budweiser Pregame Tailgate Party.
POTOMAC CANNONS
Currently the St. Louis Cardinals' Class A affiliate, the Potomac Cannons have spent nearly 20 years in Prince William County, turning out some powerhouse players like Barry Bonds, Andy Petitte and Bernie Williams. While the ballpark doesn't have an amusement area, a steady dose of wacky games and an active mascot keep kids of all ages entertained.
Team slogan: "Real Baseball. Real Close."
Team mascot: Big Shot, a chubby cannon-faced baseball player caricature.
Typical between-inning diversions: After spinning around a baseball bat 10 times, two kids don potato sacks and attempt to hop back to the finish line; a young fan tries to beat Big Shot in a race around the bases; and a family gets upgraded to a comfy couch along the foul line.
Stadium: G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium is the centerpiece of a larger recreational facility and parking is $3 per car. Friendly servers take food and drink orders from fans in the box seats while everyone else walks downstairs to fetch typical stadium food like hot dogs, burgers and pizza.
Ticket prices: Reserved seats: $7-$10, all ages. General admission: $6 adults; $5 youth and seniors.
Weekly promotions: Tuesdays: 2-for-1 admission with a Giant Food Bonus Card on reserved and general admission tickets. Wednesdays: 2-for-1 admission with a Safeway Club Card on reserved and general admission tickets. Fridays and Sundays: fans 12 and under can run the bases after the game.
• Fireworks nights: July 4, 6, 20; Aug. 3, 24.
• Giveaway games: All items distributed to the first 1,000 paid ticket holders. July 5: Spirit Stick Giveaway and International Night; July 7: Collector's Series Baseball Giveaway; Aug. 2: Famous Former Cannon Bobblehead Giveaway; Aug. 4: Collector's Series Baseball Giveaway.
• Upcoming promotions: July 19: Wrestling Night; July 21: Austin Powers Night; Aug. 23: Blues Brothers Night; Aug. 25: Back-to-School Night; Aug. 29: Fan Appreciation Night.
For more information about the region's minor league baseball, contact the teams directly.
BOWIE BAYSOX -- Prince George's Stadium, 4101 NE Crain Highway, Bowie, 301/464-4865; www.baysox.com.
FREDERICK KEYS -- Harry Grove Stadium, New Design Road, Frederick, 301/662-0013; www.frederickkeys.com.
POTOMAC CANNONS -- G. Richard Pfitzner Stadium, County Complex Court, Woodbridge, 703/590-2311; www.potomaccannons.com.
