Take Kids Out to the Ball Game

The Ball Park at Harbor Yard in Bridgeport, home of the Bridgeport Bluefish, is an easy drive from Ridgefield that offers a simple, inexpensive, kid-friendly Summer day trip.

The stadium is built so that many of the seats are in the shade on hot summer days. Tickets are easily purchased on game day right at gate and are only $9. Parking is right across the street for $4.

Located right off Route 95 with easy access from the Merritt Parkway (exit 49S to Route 25), getting to a Bridgeport Bluefish game is a breeze from Ridgefield. When we visited the stadium for Family Fun Day earlier this month, we took Route 33 through Wilton to the Merritt. It took about a half an hour door to door.

Family Fun Day consisted of allowing children on the baseball field before the game to get autographs signed by team members and again after the game to run the bases. 

Team mascot Petey the Bluefish also signed autographs, high fived fans and danced around, to children's delight. My two boys, six-year-old Noah and Charlie, 3, were thrilled to meet Petey.

Noah and Charlie also spent time in the "Kids Zone" entertainment area, which includes a bounce house, a pirate ship with slides and a whiffle ball hitting zone. They ate lots of popcorn, Cracker Jacks, cotton candy and ice cream while occasionally watching the game.

After the game, when kids were allowed to run the bases, they were greeted and high fived by Petey the Bluefish. Petey was quite a hit with Noah. Charlie was still a little cautious.

For more family fun during the winter, the Bridgeport Sound Tigers of the American Hockey League play right next door to the Bluefish at the Arena at Harbor Yard. The Sound Tigers are an affiliate of the New York Islanders.