Give Me an Escape Route

As the father of a 3-year old boy who has meltdowns far too often than I’d like to admit, I understand the importance of having a back-up plan, and Major League Baseball teams are beginning to understand their importance as well. As more and more decisions regarding discretionary income and family entertainment choices are being made by moms (and dads), teams must make conscious efforts to ensure that parents are equipped to deal with a screaming toddler.

The Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox have done just that. At Charlotte Sports Park, the Rays created the Kids Clubhouse, an outdoor play area complete with overhead screening to protect from foul balls and provide a shady spot for kids to play, or where parents can get away with their kids for a break.

Photo Credit: Thomas Gearhart

Likewise, the Red Sox created Wally’s Clubhouse at Fenway Park after a parent, speaking candidly with team officials, told them she needed an “escape route” so that if her kid had a meltdown in the second inning, she had a place to go that was inside the park rather than having to leave altogether. Wally's Clubhouse is a large room away from the crowd with Legos, arts and crafts, and games for kids to play.

Photo Credit: Boston Red Sox

The prospect of wasting a day and a couple hundred dollars because you have to leave early after your kids have a meltdown just might be enough to persuade parents to choose to spend their money elsewhere on family entertainment. On the other hand, amenities like these might make that decision a little easier and in favor of baseball.