Fan's Guide To A Toledo Mudhens Game At Fifth Third Field

The Detroit Tigers are one of baseball's oldest and most well-loved teams. They make their home at beautiful Comerica Park in downtown Detroit, but sometimes getting to a game can be costly and a little too hectic for all fans. For those who prefer something a little lower-key, there's the Toledo Mud Hens, the AAA affiliate team of the Detroit Tigers who call Toledo, Ohio, home. The Toledo Mud Hens are very popular in their own right and often serve as a breeding ground and rehab location for many Detroit Tigers making their way to Motown. The Toledo Mud Hens have gained a bit of notoriety in their own right as the team of choice of actor Jamie Farr's character Klinger from the hit television show M*A*S*H, in which he could be seen wearing Mudhens hats and jerseys. The Mudhens may be across the state line, but they're only a short 50-mile drive down from Detroit and well worth the trip in every aspect, especially if the intense activity and costs surrounding a premium Tigers game deter you from the Motor City on big game days.

Fifth Third Field
406 Washington St
Toledo, OH 43604
(419) 725-4367
www.milb.com

The Toledo Mudhens have played in plenty of different venues over the many years since they first formed as the "Swamp Angels" in Toledo back in 1896 (though a team had been playing in the city since 1883). These days, they play at the stunning Fifth Third Field, which seats over 10,000 and opened in 2002 (not long after the opening of the Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park). Fifth Third Field is open and, much like Comerica Park, boasts a wonderful view of the city surrounding the park, though finding a parking spot here is much easier than anywhere in Detroit. Seats are usually available, though there are times when some big name Tigers will be playing on the Mudhens' roster for a stint and tickets can be a little more expensive than usual then. Still, watching a game at Fifth Third Field gives fans the same great baseball experience of any major league park these days.

Food And Drink

There's nothing quite like a hot dog and beer at a baseball game, and the Toledo Mudhens would never think to rob you of that! In addition to all of the usual snacks and drinks from the calling vendors who make their way from aisle to aisle, there's also plenty of great restaurants and more formal options in the ballpark, too. First off, there's the BirdCage Bar & Grill, where fans can come and dine in true Mudhens style and the nearby NINE at Hensville, a nearby restaurant that offers upscale dining near the ballpark. The Toledo Mudhens chef has also created a number of exotic food selections that can be purchased across the ballpark for this year's season, including plenty of non-traditional baseball fare, but certainly still mouthwatering nonetheless! Check out some of the top new options here. When it comes to great beer choices, anywhere that you can find great food in the ballpark you can bet a great beer is not far!

Tickets And Costs

One of the best things about attending a Toledo Mudhens game is the availability and lower cost of tickets (when compared to a day out at the Detroit Tigers Comerica Park). Lower deck seating near the field for normal home games are usually less than $20 per seat, which is a far cheaper price than any major league ballpark. But like major league parks, the Mudhens also offer ticket packages that include food and tickets for nightly games starting at $40. The cost of food at Fifth Third Park is about the same as you would find anywhere else at a baseball game, but parking is cheaper than in downtown Detroit (where close parking to the field can run upwards of $30 or more for some nights). There are three major low-cost parking lots for Mudhens fans around the stadium, and parking on any Toledo city streets is free after 5 p.m. (just in time for most game nights).

Related: Best Outdoor Fall Dates In Detroit

Michael Ferro is freelance writer and a graduate of Michigan State University where he majored in Creative Writing and received the Jim Cash Creative Writing Award. Born and bred in Detroit, he currently resides in rural Ann Arbor. Additional writing can be found at Examiner.com.