One of the great joys in working at Wrigley Field is seeing the smiles of guests as they experience, maybe for the first time, the beautiful infield diamond, the green grass of the outfield, and the wonderful smells of the ballpark (grilled hotdogs and onions) that await them. We call it America’s pastime for a reason; in Chicago fans have been entering ballpark gates with amazement for 150 years now. For those who are bringing with them a senior, family member, friend, or child with accessibility needs, the smiles seem even wider because today ballparks are open for everyone to experience. And speaking of joy, another one of mine has been working with a great colleague, Chuck Young, former president of the Hadley School for the Blind. Chuck has taken much pride in overseeing the accessibility programs of Wrigley and Sloan Park in Mesa, Arizona. Let’s take a walk with Chuck as we open our arms to guests at the ballpark.

Your tickets to the game pave the way to a day of fun. If you have accessibility needs, it’s more important than ever to make the right choice. MLB teams are staffed with Fan and Guest Services personnel ready to answer questions about seating. They pride themselves in helping guests find the accommodations needed to enjoy a game. Before hitting that purchase button, you will want to know the basics – where is the wheelchair-accessible seating; can companions sit together; how close are the nearby elevators, restrooms, and concessions; is there parking for those with accessibility needs; and are there steps or ramps to navigate. If you do hit the purchase button and your ticket choice was not the best one for you, there’s always the possibility to make changes. Just ask.

When I think of going to a ballgame, what I truly want is to have some time to relax. If you have accessibility needs, that needs to be front and center on your pre-game planning efforts. Bottom line, allow some extra time. The ballpark parking lots and entrance gates will be very busy close to first pitch. Most ballparks open gates 90 minutes before game time, so the best approach might be to arrive early. This will enable you and your companion not to worry about being rushed and truly take advantage of ballpark personnel ready to assist you. Never say no to ride share services that will drop you off at the ballpark gate. When you are in the ballpark, it’s also a good idea to get acclimated to the new surroundings, grab some food and drink, and take in the pre-game festivities. Just relax.

There are numerous accessibility considerations, but let’s start with the most recurring one, mobility. Going to a ballgame means navigating distance. Whether you are in a wheelchair (ballparks have them at the gate for employees to assist you), power wheelchair, mobility scooter, walker, or cane, getting around is key. You need to take into account the realities of attending an event with thousands of others – concourse traffic can be heavy; restrooms may require long waits in line; elevators are crowded between innings; and ramps are often lengthy. Importantly though, ballpark personnel are there to help. Ballparks, such as Wrigley which was named “Best in services with guests with disabilities” in a 2024 MLB survey, train personnel to recognize instances when help is needed. Just speak up.

For guests with autism or sensory sensitivities, a ballpark can be challenging with crowd noise, music, flashing lights, and the suddenness of the cheering as part of the environment. You will find some helpful aids at most ballparks, including quiet or sensory rooms, sensory bags, noise-reducing headphones, and fidget items. Nowadays, ballpark personnel are trained in this area to at least recognize the issues and point the guests in the right direction. Guests are encouraged to bring with them headphones, favorite comfort items, and sunglasses and hats. The goal is to make every fan’s experience a welcoming one.

Often, guests have hearing and vision accessibility needs. Many ballparks provide accommodations for fans who are deaf, hard of hearing, blind, or low vision. You might find closed captioning or sign language interpretation if requested in advance, audio descriptions, and braille or large-print materials. Some other services include listening devices to hear “play by play” in real time and even captioning on scoreboards. Ballparks have come a long way in addressing these needs. You might be surprised what is indeed available.

There are an assortment of other accessibility needs as well. Guests with medical conditions are permitted to bring oxygen equipment, insulin supplies, EpiPens, CPAP-related equipment, feeding supplies, and prescription medication. And not everyone’ s diet can withstand two hotdogs and a 20-ounce beer. Food and beverage options at the ballpark can most often accommodate dietary restrictions of guests. In addition, accessible restrooms (family or gender neutral) are offered throughout the ballpark, and you may even find adult changing facilities and companion-related restrooms in some. If you need your service animal to come to the game with you, please check the team’s policy beforehand just in case.

I call ballparks my “happy place”, and that usually means something different for every fan. Your happy experience might include things outside the lines. If you have accessibility needs, just pace yourself. Take as much in as you can but don’t overdo it. Maybe watching batting practice, visiting the team store, or just snapping some fun photos is your version of a happy time. That’s okay, not everyone can be there for every pitch. Leave early if you want. There will always be a next time for ballpark personnel to welcome you.

Every disability is different, and every person’s needs are unique. Planning ahead, communicating with team personnel about your needs, taking advantage of a ballpark’s accessibility accommodations, and simply being flexible will make your day one to remember. Every fan cherishes “Take Me Out to the Ballgame” but in different ways. Let us open our arms to you.

Until next Monday,

your Baseball Bench Coach (with sincere gratitude to my wonderful co-author, Chuck Young)