Opening day will be more than hits, runs and errors for Braves fans. Country music star Rodney Atkins will hold a pregame concert at 5:30 p.m. in the Fan Plaza, then sing the national anthem. Pre-game ceremonies on the field begin at 6:20 p.m., which will include a flyover of vintage aircraft and former third baseman Chipper Jones throwing the ceremonial first pitch. The seventh-inning stretch will feature Atlanta Opera singer Tim Miller singing “God Bless America,” followed by Miss America 2013 Mallory Hagan leading the crowd in “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.”
The gates will open 2 ½ hours before game time.
“Take Me Out to the Ballgame,” that Tin Pan Alley ditty written in 1908 and still sung during the seventh-inning stretch at Turner Field and other major league ballparks, would probably demand some different couplets if written in 2013. Ballparks these days make a play to keep fans entertained and engaged for all nine innings and to be family friendly.
With the Braves home opener set for 7:10 p.m. on Monday, the first of 81 regular-season games at Turner Field, here’s a fan-experience primer with an emphasis on changes for this season.
FOOD-DRINK
- H&F Burger, purveying chef Linton Hopkins' hand-crafted burgers from Holeman & Finch Public House, will open in Fan Plaza and behind Section 102. It's the first time the gourmet burger (a double-patty cheeseburger topped with house-made ketchup, mustard and pickles, and served on a freshly baked pan de mie bun) will be available outside of Hopkins' restaurant. The Braves also are offering the burgers as part of a package deal: For $32 each, 24 ticket holders get an outfield seat near the H&F Burger stand and a fast pass to access the front of the line (www.braves.com/hfburger).
- The Chop House, the restaurant and bar located in right-center field with indoor/outdoor seating, underwent an offseason renovation, including new lighting fixtures, furniture, graphics and a bobblehead wall featuring more than 250 bobbleheads. The menu has been tweaked as well, with new items including smoked pulled pork nachos, a smoked cheddar sausage grinder and new hamburger choices including a McCann Burger similar to the ones served up in Fan Plaza.
- Also new this season, Dantanna's will sell crab cake sandwiches and sesame steak skewers at its grill cart located on the Terrace Level, Section 216.
- Yicketty Yogurt & More, self-serve yogurt and slushie stands offering multiple flavorings and toppings, opens at Sections 206 and 316.
- All You Can Eat Seats: On the Club Level, group customers get a wristband giving them access to buffet tables set up with hamburgers, hot dogs, chicken tenders, coleslaw, baked beans, chips, cookies, sodas, bottled water and beer. Tickets start at $50 for Super Value games.
- Bring your own food: Turner Field does allow guest to carry in their own food and drink, with restrictions: Aluminum or glass containers, alcohol, ice chests and hard-sided coolers are prohibited.
FOR THE YOUNGEST FANS
- The Taco Mac Family Zone, located in Fan Plaza, is a free, interactive, baseball-themed attraction for young fans, where kids can throw and hit, climb about a focal point tree house, slide down the "buffalo slide" and play at video stations.
- After every Sunday home game, kids 14 and under can run the Turner Field bases.
- Kids can run off energy during games at Coca-Cola Sky Field, a family-friendly area high above left field that features a birds-eye view of the playing field and an excellent Atlanta skyline vista (with giant-sized Adirondack chairs to clamber on).
- Kids of all ages can test their plate or mound ability using different pay machines at Scout's Alley, a field-level attraction.
- Homer, the Braves' baseball-headed mascot, moves through the stands during the game, happy to meet and take photographs with young fans.
SPECIAL EVENTS
- Bark in the Park: Bring Fido by buying a special ticket to Sunday afternoon games on May 5 (vs. the New York Mets) and Sept. 15 (vs. the San Diego Padres).
- Military Appreciation Day: The Braves will salute service members during a May 18 celebration before facing the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- Dragon-Con Night: Costumed revelers from the giant Atlanta pop culture celebration will participate in an on-field parade and enjoy live entertainment on Fan Plaza before the game vs. the Cleveland Indians on Aug. 29.
BOBBLEHEADS
- The Braves will hand out Freddie Freeman bobbleheads on May 30, B.J. Upton bobblers on June 20 and a Dale Murphy version on July 11 (as part of a career celebration of the two-time National League Most Valuable Player; details below). For all three giveaways, the figures go to the first 20,000 fans through the gates.
HONORING TWO BRAVES GREATS
- The Braves will retire Chipper Jones' jersey and induct the third baseman into the team's Hall of Fame on June 28. Jones' No. 10 jersey will be retired during an on-field ceremony before that evening's game against the Arizona Diamondbacks. The retired numbers are moving from their original location near Sky Field to walls on the first and third base side below club level. The induction will come during an afternoon ceremony at the Atlanta Marriott Marquis.
- July 11 will be Dale Murphy Night, celebrating the outfielder's career with a ceremony preceding that night's game against the Cincinnati Reds.
AUTOGRAPHS
- Early birds sometimes catch players for autographs. While the main gates open 2 1/2 hours before first pitch, guests are restricted to the main plaza and Scout's Alley for the first half hour. Then, two hours before first pitch, fans can seek autographs from the outfield side of each dugout, under the direction of the usher staff. The opportunity ends one hour before game time.
- Another option is meet and greets with former players during Alumni Sundays. Before every Sunday home game, Braves alumni sign autographs in Fan Plaza. The best opportunity to score multiple autographs of former players comes during Braves Alumni Weekend, June 28-30.
FIREWORKS
- Booming light shows will follow the 15 Friday night home games this season.
- There will also be Fourth of July fireworks celebrations following the July 3 and 4 games.
TECHNOLOGY ENHANCEMENTS
- New LED scoreboard clocks, located above right and left field, will show graphics and video throughout the game.
- An At-the-Ballpark App, available to iPhone and Android users, will enable users to upgrade their tickets, watch video highlights, listen to the Braves radio broadcast and more.
- WiFi has been upgraded around the stadium, allowing fans to surf the Internet for free and post updates to their social media pages.
MUSEUM, STADIUM TOURS
- Starting on opening day, the Braves Museum and Hall of Fame's Turner Field tours are getting a digital upgrade, with 50 tablet computers providing an interactive, in-depth look at the stadium. A custom-designed program with video, images and trivia accompanies the guided tour, virtually hosted by fan favorites such as Bobby Cox, John Smoltz and Dale Murphy. Tour participants also get the opportunity to sit in the Braves dugout, visit the press box and broadcast booths, get a glimpse of the team clubhouse and more. Tours will culminate in the Museum & Hall of Fame, where visitors can check the leader board for trivia results and an interactive kiosk containing a database of more than 1,800 current and past players.. 8:30 a.m., 10 a.m., 11:30 a.m., 12:30 p.m., 2 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays (no tours on days with afternoon games). 1 p.m., 2:30 p.m. Sundays (no tours before Sunday home games). $17; $13 ages 10-13, $9 ages 3-12. Information: www.braves.com/tours.
- Hank Aaron's 715th home run ball is a highlight of the more than more than 600 Braves artifacts and photographs at the Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum & Hall of Fame at Aisle 134. Last season, the museum added a free cell phone tour, with retired broadcaster Pete Van Wieren guiding guests to 14 stops and highlighting the careers of 24 Braves Hall of Famers. 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Mondays-Saturdays, 1-3 p.m. Sundays. Also open 2 1/2 hours before each home game. Admission during games: $2. Non-game admission: $5.
SHOPPING
- A custom merchandise shop opens this season at Section 118. Fans can customize T-shirts, caps, bats, iPhone cases, necklaces and bracelets.
- Also new, a big-and-tall merchandise stand by Section 151 will sell polos, T-shirts, outerwear and larger-sized fitted caps.
- The main outlet for team merchandise remains Turner Field's Majestic Clubhouse Store in Fan Plaza, stocked with a wide variety of Braves jerseys, caps, jackets, T-shirts, ladies apparel, pennants, balls, photos and more. Newly available: Wilson and Rawlings leather gloves for fans trying to catch a foul ball or home run.
TICKETS
Tickets prices and and packages for Braves games vary (go to braves.com/tickets), but deals include:
- Coca-Cola Two-for-$30 Tuesdays: Fans can get two half-off tickets in the Club Level Pavilion every Tuesday.
- College and AAA Discount: Two Upper Box tickets for the price of one with a valid college or AAA ID card.
- Military Discount: Two Upper Box and Outfield tickets for the price of one with a valid military ID.
- $1 SkyLine Seats: They're high up but, hey, you're in the stadium for only a buck. Available 2 1/2 hours before every home game at the ticket office.
GETTING THERE
- MARTA: The MARTA Braves shuttle begins running 90 minutes prior to first pitch from the Underground Atlanta/Five Points MARTA station to Turner Field until one hour after final out. MARTA riders also can walk from/to the Georgia State MARTA Station.
- Parking in official Braves lots ranges $8 to $15 (discounts for advance purchase). Parking maps: www.braves.com/parking.
TURNER FIELD INFORMATION
www.atlanta.braves.mlb.com/atl/ballpark/index.jsp
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