Many Visits 2007 to the present

Madison is lucky enough to have a minor league baseball team, and a popular one at that.  They are called the Madison Mallards and the head mascot is Maynard G. Mallard.  We get to at least one or two games a year.  In 2015 and 16 and 17 we got the 7-Game Ticket Package which included a brat/burger before the game.  Some days you will find a petting zoo outside the gates.

New for 2015, the Maynard Zip Line. $3.00 for two times. Here are a couple kids having fun.

Every home game begins with the National Anthem, then Maynard going down the zip line.

Due to the team’s success, they had money for extensive renovations and spared no expense to make the game fun for attendees of all ages.  They won the Northwoods League Championships in 2013, way to go!  Also made it to the Championships in 2015! They made it to the first playoff game in 2016, which we attended.  They didn’t win but they had their best season ever, an average of 6,500 fans coming to each game.We are glad to have been a part of it!

Before the game begins, they have a “First Pitch”. This is when a person from a featured group(s) of the night get to pitch the ball, then they receive the ball as a memento. Al had the honor of participating in this on 6-28-2014.  He represented the Autism Society of South Central Wisconsin.

Sometimes they have guest celebrities. In June 2015  Hacksaw Jim Duggan and Road Warrior Animal made an appearance.  Learn more about how wrestlers train on this great site, Sports Fitness Advisor. There were many fans waiting in line for a photo and autograph.

There is something new for the fans every year. In 2015 was the debut of the Pizza Bus. Inside is a wood fire oven to cook your pizza to perfection. Yum!

The Mallards also produce a series of bobbleheads each year, these are from 2016.  We attended the playoff game in 2016 and managed to pick up Maynard in the pizza bus and Dancing Rick, part of the entertainment at many games the last 2 years. In 2017 at a sale I picked up the Big Dog bobblehead.

Many fun rituals are part of the atmosphere at a Mallards game. Concession people go through the stands selling beer and snacks to the fans.  One guy was especially memorable in reciting his offering in 2010.  The last item on his list was beef sticks.  When he said that, everyone around him said it too, funny! See for yourself, the “Beef Stick Guy”.

 Here are more funny concession guys that we saw in 2014 and 15. Here they are like ducks in a row before a game. The one on the right hawks beer and is so funny!

Another ritual is the singing of “Sweet Caroline” in the stands near the end of the game.

We always have a good time when we go and sometimes catch special moments of fans near us.  The girl just caught the ball and gave her aunt a high 5.

You never know what you are going to see there, they have lots of little breaks to amuse the kids. Once they paraded out a pig, in honor of all the bacon offerings on the Mallard’s food menu.

On July 9, 2016, hilarity ensued when these inflated characters entertained the audience with skits and dancing.

Kids don’t have all the fun here, here are most of the games played during game breaks by the adults.  All were from 8-4-15.

In this game, the kids run with fruit costumes on. Funny!

Of course, the game itself is fun to watch. Many games continue until night, even with summer’s long days.

Sometimes, the games even conclude with fireworks.

Take a good look at the Duck Blind, because it is going to be renovated for the 2017 season. Here it is in 2009.

 Here it is now.

If you love baseball or just a fun night out in the summer, coming to a Madison Mallards baseball game is economical and fun for the whole family!

The sun sets on another great Mallards season, see you next year!

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