ROUNDUP

Fun for Baseball-Loving Families

Pack up the kids’ gloves and hit a home run with these must-do activities.

By Steve Lemig

Rocky Mountain Vibes minor league athletes entertain ball fans at their home field in Colorado Springs.

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rom batting cages and major league games to touring America’s only ballpark history museum, Denver and the Front Range have plenty to keep baseball-loving families busy this summer.

TREAT THE FAMILY TO A GAME Coors Field

2001 Blake St., Denver Coors Field resumed full capacity in late June, meaning this season's games will feel much like those in memory. Bring a blanket for the family to hang out in the Rockpile, the stadium’s outfield picnic area. When the littles get the wiggles, head to Dinger’s playground or check out the tee-ball batting cage behind sections 105 to 109; free for kids age six and under. Unable to make a game? Call and ask about a family tour of the stadium. $7 to $140 game tickets; $12 adult, $9 child (age 12 and under) tours. mlb.com/rockies

The Rocky Mountain Vibes

UCHealth Park, 4385 Tutt Blvd., Colorado Springs Catch the Rocky Mountain vibe with this minor league team, the Vibes, who play in the Pioneer Baseball League. Sitting at 6,531 feet above sea level, UCHealth Park is the highest pro ballpark in North America. Kids 12 and under can join the Mini Mallows Kid’s Club for perks like running the bases and posing for a family photo on the field after a Sunday game. $5 to $10 game tickets; $20 Mini Mallows Kid’s Club. milb.com/rocky-mountain

CATCH A PIECE OF HISTORY National Ballpark Museum

1940 Blake St., Denver Just a baseball’s throw away from Coors Field, the National Ballpark Museum is the only one in America dedicated to the 14 original ballparks built from 1909 to 1923. Inside, you’ll find one-of-a-kind relics like colorful stadium seats, team pennants, jerseys, and new this year: huge stadium signs from two of America’s oldest ballparks. $10 adult, $5 senior, free age 16 and under. ballparkmuseum.com

GO TO BAT WITH A VIEW Gateway Park Fun Center

4800 N. 28th St., Boulder Gateway Park is home to Boulder’s only outdoor batting cages and has one of the best views of the Front Range. Choose from a variety of pitch speeds for both softball and baseball, and find go-kart racing and miniature golf, too. $2 per token (20 batting cage pitches). gatewayfunpark.com

Cornerstone Park

5098 S. Windermere, Littleton Just south of Denver, Cornerstone Park features nine outdoor batting cages and three lighted baseball fields. There’s a snack stand, playgrounds, a splash park, and picnic tables. $1.75 to $2 for 16 pitches, $25 to $40 per hour cage rental. ssprd.org/batting-cages-atcornerstone-park

Aurora Sports Park

19300 E. Colfax Ave., Aurora Find the beautifully manicured 220-acre Aurora Sports Park just 12 miles east of Denver’s downtown. Take your pick of 12 baseball fields, 27 multi-use fields, four playgrounds, seven picnic shelters, and five concession stands. Free drop-in use. auroragov.org

PARTY LIKE A WORLD CHAMP

Consider a baseball themed party in the backyard. Frost cookies and cupcakes to look like baseballs, or arrange blueberries or melon balls with pretzel sticks for a baseball and bat combo. Play a simple game with a Wiffle ball and bat with your guests. Purchase a new ball for all the guests to autograph as a memory for the birthday child.

Steve Lemig is an Arvada-based writer, father, and founder of wilderdad.com.