When you’re in Wichita—or any city that offers it—you’ve got to check out a Minor League baseball game! Our first game was the Wichita Wingnuts, a professional baseball team based in Wichita and a member of the Central Division of the American Association of Independent Professional Baseball (not affiliated with Major League Baseball). Minor League games are great because you can watch skilled baseball players on the diamond for a fraction of the price that you would pay for a Major League game. Plus, because it’s a smaller stadium, you can get closer to the action. When we were there, they were known as the Wichita Wranglers and were a feeder team for the Kansas City Royals…but I’m sure the Wingnuts are just as fun to watch! I decided to spend the big bucks and for $10 a ticket we got to sit in the front row right next to the dugout and watch the players on the field up close and personal. Neither my kids or I had ever had an opportunity to sit that close at any sports event and it was quite a thrill. At the end of the game, the players came over and signed the kids tickets which was just super exciting. Better yet, the kids struck up a conversation with one of the players, Adam Greenburg (who later went on to play a few games in the major leagues) who then proceeded to give my boys his game used bat-which even had his initials carved into the handle. We still have that bat and it's a cherished souvenir. After the game the stadium came alive with a great fireworks show that capped the end of a fantastic evening.
