So, I finally did it. Went to the Mariners Bark in the Park this year, 2024. I’d been thinking about it for a while, and figured, why not? My dog, Buster, he’s usually up for anything.
Getting Ready Was a Whole Thing
First off, getting tickets. You’d think it’s straightforward, but no. You gotta get your human ticket, then a special dog ticket. Not just any seat, of course. They have a designated dog section. Made sense, but it was another hoop to jump through. Then I had to dig up Buster’s vaccination records. They’re pretty strict about that, which I guess is good. Rabies, distemper, the whole shebang. Luckily, I keep that stuff filed away.
Then came packing the essentials. For Buster, that is. My list looked something like this:
- Leash. A short one. Didn’t want him tripping anyone.
- Poop bags. Like, a million of them. You can never have too many.
- Collapsible water bowl. Seattle can get warm, even if it’s just cloudy.
- High-value treats. For bribery, mostly. To keep him calm if things got hectic.
- An old towel. Just in case. Spills, mud, who knows.
I even thought about getting him one of those little Mariners jerseys for dogs, but decided against it. Maybe next time, if there is a next time.
Game Day – The Arrival
Alright, game day. Drove down to the stadium. Parking was, well, stadium parking. A bit of a walk, which was fine, let Buster stretch his legs. Finding the right gate for “Bark in the Park” attendees took a minute. They had signs, but it wasn’t super obvious from where we parked. There was a bit of a line of people with their dogs, all sorts. Big dogs, small dogs, dogs in strollers. Yeah, strollers.
Checking in was pretty smooth. They glanced at Buster’s papers, gave him a quick once-over. Everyone was pretty friendly. Then we were in. The noise hit us first. Not deafening, but a definite stadium buzz. Buster’s ears perked right up.
Inside the Dog Zone
They had a specific section for us, up on the view deck mostly. It was pretty packed with dogs and their humans. Lots of sniffing going on, tail wags, a few barks here and there. Most dogs were behaving, but you could tell some were a bit overwhelmed. Buster, he was curious. Sniffed every post, every other dog that walked by. He’s a social guy.
Finding our seats was a bit of a shuffle. People, leashes, more dogs. We finally settled in. The view of the game was actually decent. Did I watch much of the baseball? Honestly, not really. I spent most of my time making sure Buster wasn’t getting tangled, wasn’t trying to “greet” every single person who walked by too enthusiastically, and generally wasn’t causing a ruckus.
They had water stations for the dogs, which was a huge plus. Just big bowls they kept refilling. And a designated “relief area” – basically a patch of fake grass. Buster used it. Success.
The Actual Experience and Other Pups
The game itself? Loud. Every time there was a big cheer or a crack of the bat, some dogs would jump or bark. Buster just looked around, like “what was that?” He seemed more interested in the dropped popcorn than the home runs. A few people had their dogs all decked out in Mariners gear. Hats, bandanas, little coats. It was pretty funny to see.
I chatted with a few other owners. Shared some dog stories. It’s a different kind of ballpark experience, that’s for sure. Less about the game, more about the shared chaos of having a dog in a new, exciting, slightly stressful environment. Some dogs were chill, just napping under the seats. Others were bouncing off the walls. You see all types.
Heading Home and Final Thoughts
By the 7th inning stretch, Buster was starting to look tired. All the stimulation, I guess. We decided to beat the worst of the leaving crowd. Getting out was easier than getting in. He pretty much conked out in the car on the way home.
So, was it worth it? Yeah, I think so. It was an experience. I got to take my dog to a baseball game, which is pretty unique. It’s a lot of work, though. You gotta be on your toes the whole time. It’s not a relaxing day at the ballpark if you’re the one holding the leash. You’re more of a dog-wrangler than a baseball fan for those few hours.
Would I do it again? Maybe. I’d know what to expect next time. If you’re thinking about it, just be prepared. Make sure your dog is okay with crowds and noise. And bring extra poop bags. Seriously. You’ll thank me later.
