Nothing beats a day at the ballpark! We love to wear our navy and orange threads and enjoy a game at Ford Field as much as the next fan, but have you seen those ballpark prices lately? Yikes!
Cheering for your local minor league team is a great way to make game day more affordable. Not only are ticket and concession prices significantly marked down from the big leagues, but minor league teams take family fun seriously.
At these ballparks near metro Detroit, you’ll find tons of game day fun for kids, from inflatables and mascot meet-and-greets to theme nights, firework displays, cool freebies and yummy food and drink deals on game day.
Check out this guide to minor league baseball teams near Detroit and discover your new favorite team. Don’t worry — there’s no shame in jumping on the bandwagon. Play ball!
United Shore Professional Baseball League
Since 2016, the United Shore Professional Baseball League has brought exciting minor league gameplay to the metro Detroit area. These four teams feature rising stars and top level college ball players from around the country.
On Thursday-Sunday, catch these minor league teams going head to head at Jimmy John’s Field in Utica. For more ballpark fun, sign your kids up for the USPBL Kids Club. Members receive perks like free tickets and merch, opportunities for autographs, on-field games and more.
Be sure to check out the USPBL calendar to discover games with awesome themes, fireworks shows and giveaways.
Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers
- Home Plate: Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road, Utica
- Tickets: $12-$35
Eastside Diamond Hoppers
- Home Plate: Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road, Utica
- Tickets: $12-$35
Utica Unicorns
- Home Plate: Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road, Utica
- Tickets: $12-$35
Westside Woolly Mammoths
- Home Plate: Jimmy John’s Field, 7171 Auburn Road, Utica
- Tickets: $12-$35
More Minor League Baseball Teams Near Metro Detroit
Lansing Lugnuts
- Home Plate: Jackson Field, 505 E Michigan Ave., Lansing
- Tickets: $12-$22
About an hour and a half west of Detroit, the Lansing Lugnuts are the fan favorites. The Lugnuts have been an affiliate team of the Oakland A’s since 2021, which means you can watch future MLB stars rise up the ranks at Jackson Field.
A brightly colored apartment complex, Outfield Ball Park Lofts, frames the outfield. Since the building is labeled with distance markers, families can make a game out of watching how far each homerun ball flies — and watching to see if it lands on someone’s front porch!
Game Day Deals and Grad Slam Events
Sunday Capital City Market Kids Day
Every Sunday home game is for the kids! There will be kid-friendly entertainment throughout the game, and kids can run the bases at the end of the game.
The fun continues with an “Extra Inning” at Capital City Market, a neighborhood grocery store in downtown Lansing. Show your ticket for free ice cream, plus 25% off your entire purchase.
Tacos and Tallboys
Chow down on two tacos and a tallboy beer for just $10 (or two tacos for $5). On Tuesdays, the Lugnuts will suit up in turquoise and marigold as the Lansing Locos. ¡Vamos Locos!
Dog Days of Summer
Ever wish you could bring your furry friend to the ballpark? At Jackson Field, dogs are welcome every Wednesday!
Coors Light Thirsty Thursday
Grown ups can score some major savings on Thursdays when domestic beers are $3 and craft drinks are just $5.
Toledo Mud Hens
- Home Plate: Fifth Third Field, 406 Washington St., Toledo, Ohio
- Tickets: $13-$18
Travel just across the Ohio border to cheer on the mighty Toledo Mud Hens!
In addition to thrilling games and family activities, you’ll find mouthwatering food and drink options at the Mud Hens’ concession stands. Try “BacHen” and blooming onion burgers, or a slice of Toledo-based Marco’s Pizza. Plus, the park’s sweet shop, Farr Out Funnels, is named for M*A*S*H star Jamie Farr, the world’s most famous Mud Hens fan.
Game Day Deals and Grad Slam Events
Sunday Family Day
Hensville Parks turns into a giant inflatable playground on Sundays! Make your way through the obstacle course, jump in the bounce house, play inflatable games or try your skills at the speed pitch.
Kids can also get player autographs and run the bases after every Sunday home game.
Hens and Hounds
Every Tuesday, the Mud Hens take the field as the Toledo Mud Hounds — and your family pets are invited to join the fun! All proceeds from dog tickets are donated to Lucas County Canine Care and Control.
Post-game Fireworks
Dazzling fireworks displays are usually on Friday-Sunday games, as well as on July 2-4, 2024. Check the teams’ promotions calendar to find a night with post-game fireworks.
West Michigan Whitecaps
- Home Plate: LMCU Ballpark, 4500 W River Dr. NE, Comstock Park
- Tickets: $11-$20
LMCU Ballpark is the furthest stadium from Detroit on this list, but we promise the fun of a West Michigan Whitecaps game is worth the drive!
Check out just a few of the exciting theme nights and great family deals at LMCU Ballpark. Play on the Hometown Playground (and waterpark!) or discover games with Dueling Pianos, bobblehead giveaways and more.
Game Day Deals and Grad Slam Events
Family Sunday
The first 1,000 kids in the ballpark eat free on Sundays! Kids can also enjoy pre-game catch and autographs on the field, and run the bases after the game.
Post-game Fireworks
Stick around after select games for an impressive firework show that your family can enjoy from the comfort of your seats. Check the team’s promotion calendar to find the next post-game firework show.
Michigan Army National Guard Thrifty Thursday
Score some major savings on Thrift Thursdays. Hot dogs, sodas and beers are just three bucks! Plus, active college students and active military can get half-off tickets.
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