Batter Up! Barbecue and Baseball are Back in Full Swing!

One of Our favorite things about summer is the multitude of baseball games throughout the season, because more baseball games means more tailgating!

Location

Location, location, location. This is an extremely important element of the whole tailgating experience. You want to make certain your tailgating spot is close enough to the stadium to where everyone can quickly pack up and get to the game (and so that even the most inebriated person can eventually make it into the game).

As a local Atlanta Braves fan, my favorite place to tailgate is in the Blue Lot at Turner Stadium. There is a small area there that some could call a park, as it has some grass, trees and a few picnic tables. It’s a perfect place to set up drinking games like Beer Pong or to just sit and relax in the shade while grilling up some food. Which leads me to probably the most important part of tailgating…

Food

Food! Okay, so maybe it’s not the most important aspect of tailgating, but it’s our personal favorite. Nothing says summertime and Baseball like pulling out the barbecue and chowing down. When it comes to the barbecue out though, we usually leave that to someone else and focus on the easy part – eating. Now begins the special segment where we list out favorite’s side for the most awesome tailgate ever:

• Spicy Cheddar Sausage – Fresh jalapeño bits in the cheese for an extra kick!
• Ribs – St. Louis Style and falls off the bone.
• Potato Salad – We like ours mustard-based with red potatoes.
• Chips & Dip – Personal favorite dip to make? 
• Brisket – No explanation needed!
• Fried Okra – Maybe this is just a southern thing, but regardless, they are a necessity.

Drinks

Beverages are a necessary aspect to any tailgate, whether they be alcoholic or non-alcoholic. I tend to go for the alcoholic kind, specifically beer, and to be even more specific, good beer.

Of course, the most important drink to keep handy is water! When it’s a hot summer day and you’re spending hours outside, there is nothing more important than staying hydrated.

Games

Even though it is enjoyable enough to just sit, relax and drink with your friends before a game, it is even more fun to play a few games! If you have access to a flat table, pong is a very popular tailgating game to get the competitive spirit going.

For a more family friendly game, some other great options for tailgate entertainment is a good old fashioned game of corn hole or even just throwing around a frisbee!

Event Security

If you’re hosting a private tailgate and want to keep out any unwanted guests, wristbands are a great way to do so. To help keep the litter to a minimum at your tailgate, use Tab-Free Tyvek Wristbands since the tab covering the adhesive part of the band doesn’t detach!

To let your guests know the date, time and location of the tailgate, create a custom event ticket to distribute beforehand. Our customizable Baseball Tickets are perfect for fun and festive tailgate invitations!

No matter which team you’re rooting for this season or how you choose to tailgate, Dickey’s hopes you have a great baseball season! What are your favorite tailgating rituals? Share with us!