Spring brings many exciting events to the calendar, but it also means that both the Saints and the Pelicans are on hiatus until the end of summer. If you find yourself suffering from sports withdrawal, never fear: the New Orleans Zephyrs offers great family fun for the sports enthusiasts and those simply looking for an entertaining day or night out.
If you think that going to a Zephyrs game means you get to watch and cheer on a fabulous baseball team, you would be right; but that would only be part of the story. First, you have to decide where you would like to sit in Zephyr Field, and you have many, many options. Of course, there are typical choices common in most baseball stadiums, including the lower or upper levels or suites; but only in New Orleans do you also have the choice of sitting in the picnic area, in the outfield on the levee (or da levee as it’s referred to by the Zephyrs) or even from a raft in the on-site swimming pool. While a standard ticket runs between $9 and $12 depending on the spectator’s age, there are many promotions and packages that make this good deal even better. As a parent with two children, one of my favorite packages is the Family Four Pack. For $44, you receive four tickets, four programs, four hot dogs and four sodas. If your gang is full of serious fanatics and wants to go to multiple games over the season, you might want to look into the ticket coupon books, which come with either five or 10 ticket coupons for any home games of the season. This option will save you around 25 percent of the face value of tickets. If you’re buying 20 or more tickets to a single game, make sure you check out the group prices; not only are tickets discounted, but your group will also be assigned a coordinator to help plan your experience, you’ll receive recognition on the video scoreboard and everyone will get a discount in the gift store, among other things.
Another fun way to catch a Zephyrs game is with your child’s own little league baseball team. The “Baseball Buddies” and the “Baseball All-Stars” packages offer the little guys or girls an autograph session with Zephyrs players by the dugout before the game, the chance to play catch on the field, to stand by their favorite players during the National Anthem and a souvenir baseball.
Another fun option for kids 12 and under is the “Kids Crew” which is a free club offering discounts and one free game ticket or the “All-Star” club membership, which costs $25 and comes with two free tickets to every Sunday home game, a T-shirt, a Zephyrs titanium necklace and other surprises, like running the bases after the games and autograph sessions. The Zephyrs also know how to make a birthday party special. What birthday kid wouldn’t love to see his name on the scoreboard and announced over the PA system? They even take care of the birthday cake!
The Zephyrs promotions calendar is so full it’s impossible to find a home game that doesn’t have some sort of special event. Throughout the entire season, every Friday night game is followed by an impressive fireworks show. Once a month, the Zephyrs also offer a “Peanut-free Ballpark” game for fans that are allergic to and cannot come into contact with peanuts. As an added bonus, they also offer a two-for-one ticket sale on these days. If your kids are Star Wars, Teenage Ninja Mutant Turtle, SpongeBob or Incredible Hulk fans, check the calendar for games with appearances from these characters. There are also “Baseball Bingo” game days where fans receive a bingo card and play the game based on the events of the baseball game on the field.
The famous Zephyrs mascots, Boudreaux and Clotile, would love to see you out at the ballpark. Their nutria family has expanded and now includes six additional junior nutria, so there are always mascots running, dancing and cheering in Zephyr Field. Zephyrs baseball gives us one more way to celebrate spring in New Orleans.
For a schedule of games and promotions as well as information regarding ticket prices, packages and parties, visit ZephyrsBaseball.com.
