When Hank Aaron chased down Babe Ruth’s home run record in 1974, some longtime Braves fans couldn’t have imagined the Hammer eclipsing the Bambino.
Imagine those same devotees wrapping their heads around the contemporary ballpark experience. The low-fi days of simply buying some peanuts and Cracker Jack while hunkering down for a little on-field competition no longer exist.
Game day at Turner Field remains a happening for all five senses. In a society obsessed with instant gratification and a myriad of options, the Braves front office obliges. The 2014 season is stacked with a line-up of edible choices, technology and special events.
Opening day
On April 8, exactly 40 years to the day of Aaron’s record-breaking 715th home run, the Braves take the field for their home opener vs. the Mets. Aaron, who turned 80 in February, will receive appropriate props during a special pregame ceremony.
Kristian Bush of Sugarland will perform a free pregame concert in Fan Plaza. Before the first pitch, Bush will also sing the National Anthem.
Grub and libations
In the midst of Fan Plaza with a killer view of center field sits the multi-level Chop House, the park’s signature sit-down eatery and libation station. Fans take advantage of last year’s renovations — new furniture, lighting and more — and sit down to a full-on dining experience in the middle of a ballgame. Pub grub, such as burgers, wraps, pizza and salads, abounds. Some grown-ups get medieval and sink their teeth into smoked turkey legs, while younger ones nosh on mini-turkey corn dogs and other pint-size portions. Fans can raise drinks in the Upper Chop House full service bar and others soak up the view from highest level, the Top of the Chop.
This year, Atlanta-based SweetWater Brewing Company lays claim to the beer island found in the center of Fan Plaza. Don’t be surprised to find many of its craft creations, including 420, Blue and IPA.
Some may call hops and barley the lifeblood of the baseball fan. For others, it’s soda. Those guests can spring for a refillable souvenir cup and the Braves will periodically release different designs throughout the season. The first one to drop features the 2014 schedule. Others immortalize Bobby Cox, Greg Maddux and Tom Glavine, who all enter the Hall of Fame this summer.
More than 100 concession locations live at Turner Field. Old-school ballpark hot dogs still sizzle, but fans can gorge on a wide range of edibles, from foodie delights to simple pleasures. Larger-than-life local Chef Kevin Rathbun shills a steak sandwich at Section 205. An H&F Burger can be had near Sections 104, 150 and 151. Crab cake sammies and steak skewers come from Dantanna’s at Section 218. Other choices include more down-to-earth eats, from quickie Mexican at La Taqueria (Section 321) to Waffle House (Section 128).
Pack a homer: Ballpark food and drink prices aren’t for every budget. Some fans opt to bring their own. Food and non-alcoholic beverages are fair game as long as they come in non-glass and non-aluminum containers. You can pack it all in a soft-sided cooler, but remove the plastic liner.
Technology
Paper tickets may one day be gone like the dead ball era. Some fans buy and manage their tickets with their computer or smartphone, and then use the mobile tickets feature with Braves FanPass or iPhone's Passbook. Those looking to learn the ropes can take a tutorial at www.braves.com/fanpass.
This season marks the first time a guest can simply show his or her ticket QR code on their smartphone to enter the park. Want to give your ticket to someone else? Do it electronically.
The 2014 At The Ballpark app comes with new bells and whistles. Arguably the most attractive: Buy a general admission seat online at www.braves.com/tickets and use the app after the game starts to score a guaranteed seat upgrade.
Special events
The 2014 season includes way too many special events to mention. Consider our top three draft picks:
1. Live music
Ever since the first strains of “Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” music and baseball have been eternal bedfellows. Postgame concerts on deck this season include R&B/funk/disco outfit Kool & The Gang (May 3) and Bieber doppelgänger Austin Mahone (June 3).
2. Kiddie fun
Kid-centric stuff drops all season. After any Sunday game, children 14 and younger can run the bases. Fireworks explode after each Friday night game and on July 4. On July 5, Mother & Son Day offers ticket packages including discounted admission, a commemorative T-shirt and access to a pre-game mother-son parade on the field. More family-friendly events are listed here: http://atlanta.braves.mlb.com/schedule/promotions.jsp?c_id=atl
3. Free things
The ballpark tradition of giveaways continues freely. On certain days, fans who arrive early may receive gratis goods including magnetic schedules (April 11-12) and Hall of Fame posters (July 27). Former players sign autographs for free on Alumni Sundays, a pregame event each Sunday in Fan Plaza. Fans can also try their luck getting autographs from current Braves players and members of the visiting team. Head toward the outfield side of each dugout two hours before the game starts. Under the watchful eye of ushers, players often emerge from the dugouts and sign for the fans in the stands nearby.
Going retro
In the age of selfies and photo bombs, the Braves know we love looking at our own faces. So the organization goes retro with six Braves branded photo booths located throughout the park. They can be found at spots including the Family Zone in Fan Plaza, at Section 126, and at Aisles 231 and 427.
Players will be wearing alternate caps and jerseys during batting practice. The nostalgic cap features the lower case “a” worn back in the day by Braves such as Aaron.
If you’re hankering for more Hank, keep an eye out for the patch on each player’s game uniform. The design honors Aaron’s 715th home run and a massive decal of the same design can be seen on the outfield wall.
On April 10, a limited number of 40th anniversary Hank Aaron bobbleheads will be given away to the first 20,000 fans. Other bobbleheads promotions this season include Andrelton Simmons (May 22), Greg Maddux (June 17) and Bobby Cox (Sept. 1).
If you go
Ticket prices and packages vary. (Go to braves.com/tickets.)
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