Do you think bringing an 8-month old to a baseball game is okay?

[laurajetter]

DH and I got 4 free tickets from our work to an Orioles game at the end of the month. We have a 7-month old (will be 8-months by the game) who we would like to bring along, but wanted opinions on the feasability of doing so. If we were only going to be gone a couple of hours, I'd leave him with one of our families to babysit, but between traveling, getting there a little early, the actual game, and coming back, I think it will be too long to leave him with someone.

I am not a huge sports fan, but I do enjoy going to a baseball game every now and then. Because of this, I don't mind if I need to get up to walk him around or to find a place to feed him, I won't care if I miss part of the game. And if bad comes to worse, we can always leave early.

So, knowing all this, do you think it worth a try or is 8 months too young to even attempt bringing to a game?

 

[nuke]

Mine went to his first White Sox game at 9 months. I don't see anything wrong with it.

 

[mickeyboat]

I would not have enjoyed the game if I had taken my girls when they were that age. They were pretty fussy babies.

But if yours is more agreeable, then by all means, take him. Are your seats in a shaded section? The sun and heat might be my only concern.

Denae

 

[binny]

as long as he's not fussy and bothering anyone else I dont see why it would be a problem. We take our kids to a lot of things like that but we take themout if theyre fussy. Sounds like thats what you would do too.


Go and have fun!

 

[pooh4evr]

DD# 1 went to her first St Louis Blues Hockey game at 3 weeks, and her first Cardinal game at 3 months (first high school basketball game for my sister at 10 days!) We take our girls everywhere the 2 yr old was upset this morning because we did not have tickets to opening day for the new Stadium- she wants to see Albert Pujols!

 

[MouseWorshipin]

Why not? 90% of the people in the stands now aren't sports fans, they just go for something to do. They won't care.

Back in the day that sports fans went to see ball games, it might have made a difference. Now he'll blend in with the little girls having tea parties (I honestly saw this 3 years ago at an Indians game.)

I miss the days when people went to ball games to watch the game, but they are gone.

 

[RadioNate]

As long as there is shade or some other kind of sun protection I don't see why not. Just make sure he has a good hat and doesn't get over heated.

 

[skuttle]

I don't see a problem with it if you think your child will be okay with it. Do you think the loud cheering would upset him? Around that age, we took our DS to a celebration at Tiger Stadium after LSU won the national championship. DS was fine until the crowd started cheering...that really frightened him and we had to bring him back under the stadium.

 

[Louise-Montreal]

I think my daughter was younger whne we took her, but I found the noise bothered her. She was frightened by it. Just something to think about- maybe since your baby will be older the noise won't bother him.

Hope this helps,
Louise

 

[MrsKreamer]

My only concern would be the baby getting hit by a fly ball. The last time I went to a baseball game I got hit by a baseball on the way to the bathroom. It hurt like nothing else, and I had a horrible bruise for about 2 weeks. Luckily it only hit my thigh, as I was about 6 mos pregnant at the time.

 

[va32h]

My kids were fine at ballgames at that age. Once they could crawl and walk, but were still too young to to enjoy the game - that was a nightmare. But I think 8 months would be fine.

Just get seats in a shady section.

 

[AnaheimGirl]

DD# 1 went to her first St Louis Blues Hockey game at 3 weeks...

Hey! my dd1 was also 3 weeks old when she attended her first NHL game! (Colorado Avalanche, though!)

She had attended about 20 NHL games by the time she was 8 months old. Like others said, the only things I'd worry about with a baseball game are the heat/sun, and the possibility of being hit by a ball. If you're down low in the infield, those foul tips can come flying at you pretty fast and hard. If you're out in the outfield, there will be enough time and enough other people trying to catch the ball that I wouldn't worry about it at all.

Have fun!

 

[Beth76]

As far as appropriateness? I think it's fine. I personally wouldn't do it because my children (at that age) were wiggly worms and I wouldn't have enjoyed it at all. My younger son is 21 months and I just took him to the Incredibles on Ice show. He sat down for a few minutes and the rest of the time I had to walk around with him.

Make sure to keep in mind everything you would need to bring with you. Babies can require a lot of stuff.

 

[Ava83]

Ava went to her first ballgame at 23 months and LOVED it. I would have took her sooner if I had tickets. She thinks baseball is the best. I think with it still being April and the weather should be good its no big deal (heat or anything) Its never to early to start them on technique

 

[ADisneygirl]

Let me offer an opposite opinion from the majority here. Think about the seating. These stadium seats are tight and right on top of each other. Are you going to be able to sit between family members or are you going to be next to a stranger? Let me tell you that I love babies -- had 2 of them myself. But last summer at a Yankees game a lady and her husband brought their little baby with them and sat next to my 15 y.o son. The baby was squirming around on Mom's lap. After a few minutes of reaching, squealing, hair grabbing, crying and other normal type baby stuff, my son had had enough. I switched seats with him and then I got to experience it. Only so many times you can smile graciously and nod when a parent apologizes for their cute baby grabbing your hair again.

Needless to say, I didn't get much enjoyment out of that game. And I am one of the few who do go to see the game. Plus, what about all the beer drinking that goes on at those games? I can't tell you how many times I've been sloshed with someone's drink by accident. What if your seat is next to a big fat beer drinking, swearing guy? lol . Not a good environment for a baby IMO.

 

[momof2inPA]

Is it a night game, when everyone will be drunk, or a day game, when half the people will be drunk?

 

[bsnyder]

My oldest went to his first Atlanta Braves game at 8 weeks old. He slept through most of it, until a Dale Murphy grand slam homerun got the crowd roaring!

I think it depends on the child. At 8 weeks, I knew my oldest would mostly sleep. And at 8 months, he would have sat placidly on my lap and not bothered the people sitting right next to me. My younger son - totally different story. He was an unhappy baby, and a very wiggly infant, and by 8 months, he would have wanted to be on the floor crawling around. I wouldn't have taken him to a game at that age.

 

[justhat]

I'd go. We went to a Phillies game last year when our daughter was 15 months old, but with friends who also had kids, a 3yo and 11 month old. All 3 kids were fine and lathered in sunblock, but I will add that our seats were right out under the sun, no shade at all. It was in June so much hotter than your game will be, but we definitely hadn't planned on that direct sun and ended up buying a large t shirt for my daughter to wear to cover more of her body since she was only wearing shorts and a normal size tee. After awhile we'd just take turns going to stand in the stadium with the kids to keep them shaded. The 11 month old slept most of the game and didn't seem to mind being there are all.

 

[azgal81]

I would take your baby as long as your kid doesn't bother me cry in my ear all game, kick me, etc I could care less if you bring them to the game. If it's during the day make sure they have a hat and lots of sunscreen and keep your eye out for fly balls at all times.

 

[TerryKitten]

DS went to his first OSU Football game at 7 months and has been going ever since. I didn't take him to the game that was a downpour, but then it gave me an excuse from sitting in the rain too . He was startled by the crowds, but he got used to it, and fell asleep. Everyone was loud, so no one cared him being loud.