Looking for a fun family outing or a chance to see up-and-coming baseball players before they go pro? Head to FirstEnergy Park in Lakewood, NJ, to catch a Jersey Shore BlueClaws game where the minor league team makes every home game a family-friendly night out. With the thrill of watching talented players under stadium lights, fun breaks with mascots in between, and a huge jumbotron where you might just end up on the screen—there is no shortage of excitement. And it’s not just about the baseball—there’s also a mini golf course, boardwalk game area, and plenty of food options to choose from. Plus, you won’t want to miss the Manhattan Bagel Pork Roll, Egg, and Cheese race (you have to see it to believe it). Read on for what my family did when we went to the opening day of the Blue Claws 2024 season, and if Lakewood is not in your neck of the woods, you can head to a baseball game in New Jersey near you. (Photo taken at the Jersey Shore BlueClaws)
Jersey Shore BlueClaws games are full of excitement.
Watch players before they go pro
My kids always get excited to see the BlueClaws because there is nonstop action and some pretty exciting plays, especially since the team is a pipeline to the Philadelphia Phillies. The kids also love to get autographs from the players because you never know when a player might go pro. When the game is not in play, they try to get autographs near the dugouts or along the first and third baseline railing.
FirstEnergy Park has lots of different seating options, and past games have held up to 10,000 people.
Find the best seat in the house
We have been to several BlueClaws games, and there really is no bad seat. There are so many options, and sometimes we mix it up from sitting in a stadium seat or stretching out on the lawn, or sometimes the kids like to climb into the lifeguard chairs if they are available. You can even rent a party deck or reserve a luxury suite if that’s up your alley. The stadium also has perks like stadium seating, lights for night games, and my kid’s favorite—the huge jumbotron screen. Fun Fact: If you visit the NJ Natural Gas Information booth (on the concourse behind home plate before the start of the game), you can put a message on the scoreboard for a $5 donation to BlueClaws Charities.
The Boardwalk has games like basketball, Balloon Pop, and the Cat Rack.
Play at The Boardwalk
During every game, my kids love to check out The Boardwalk area to play some games and test their luck. There are classic shore games like Cat Rack, Balloon Darts, and the Goblet Toss or Ring Toss. My kids were drawn to the basketball-themed Hoop Shots, and they had a great time finding the perfect angle to sink a shot since only one-in wins. Near The Boardwalk is the Manasquan Bank Mini Golf course, complete with nine holes and family-friendly fun, and it was the ideal spot to play a quick round before heading back to our seats.
Jersey Shore Blueclaws allows the kids to be on the field for games and events.
See why it’s all fun and games
A fun perk of the games is cheering on the hilarious races. It’s always a blast to see who will win— the Manhattan Bagel Pork Roll, Egg, and Cheese mascots or the Blue, Green, and Red Eyeballs that kids can race on—during the game breaks. For added excitement, there are promotion nights where extra fun happens, including my kid’s favorite—Kids Run the Bases, presented by Children’s Specialized Hospital, where they can run the bases just like the players. Or Pups In the Park, Halfway to Halloween, Marvel Night, and Mom-A-Rama Extravaganza, where 50 mother-owned local businesses display their unique products. We also like to come during the post-game fireworks nights, when the entire field gets going, and the sky lights up like it’s the Fourth of July.
The kids love cheering on the Pork Roll, Egg, and Cheese race.
Fill up at the concessions or new restaurant
Our recent visit included a stop at the newest restaurant, Blue Wave Bar, where we enjoyed delish main-course salads and the famous Buster’s Pork Roll and Egg and Cheese Sandwich. They also offer specialty cocktails, including the Cape May Crush and the Belmar Breeze. The Blue Claws Sand Bar is another spot for adults to find a drink. Usually, though, my kids like to eat at one of the boardwalk-style concessions throughout the park, from ShoreTown Tacos to Philly Cheesesteaks.
FirstEnergy Park has been open since 2001.
What to know before you go
What’s great about going to a Blue Claws game is the price—unlike pro games, this is a more affordable night out with single-game tickets for $16, and children under 2 are free as long as they are sitting on a parent or guardian’s lap. Other ticket options include the 5 & 10 Game Membership and Half and Full Season Tickets. The BlueClaws Kids Club consists of an MVP Package that includes ticket vouchers and other unique experiences, like eating free on home game Sundays with a hot dog, chips, and soda. If it rains, you can exchange your tickets of equal or lesser value for any remaining home game that season, subject to availability. It is $5 to park, and it is a cashless facility, so make sure you have your credit card ready to enter the stadium from the parking lot. A reverse ATM is available inside the park to convert your cash to a Visa Debit Card. The parking lot opens 2 hours before the game, and gates open 65 minutes before the first pitch so that you can take advantage of all the other fun things to do. Parts of the park are stroller-friendly, and it is easy to walk around the field’s perimeter, but if you are sitting in the stadium seating, it is not stroller-friendly. Outside food is also not allowed in the park. It is best to check ahead for any weather-related cancellations before heading out to a game. You can also host anything from a birthday party to a wedding at Jersey Shore BlueClaws, so keep them in mind for your next special occasion.
2 Stadium Way
Lakewood, NJ 08701
