Daytime home games at Cal are an opportunity to watch baseball and softball up close from March through May. It doesn’t deliver the “Wow” factor of a Major League Ballpark, but it is a pretty easy outing, and the “cheap seats” do not give you a nosebleed.
Cal Baseball
The Cal Baseball team competes on Evans Diamond at Stu Gordon Stadium. It’s a beautiful venue that allows fans to get very close to the action. There are bleachers to sit on, tables and benches along the third baseline, and also a small patch of grass that was popular with kids who wanted to squirm and roll around. If kids get bored, there’s a whole campus to explore, but even a quick visit to the river bed right outside the stadium may entertain them for a little while.
A small area behind home plate is reserved, otherwise, it’s open seating. My kids were antsy, so we moved around and watched the game from nearly every section. If you’re attending an evening game, sitting behind the Cal dugout will be more shaded. It can be a bit cold and windy, so wearing layers is recommended. Gates open one hour before the first pitch and the teams take the field about 5 minutes before start time.
Cal Softball
The Cal Softball team plays its games at Levine-Fricke Field, located at the base of Strawberry Canyon. Fans with general admission sit in the outfield bleachers, while reserved stadium-style seats are behind home plate. Our family cheered from the bleachers, but it was a bit far to feel immersed in the game. Visits to the concession stand for a snack brought us closer to the players, though. We watched an afternoon game and were in full sun; the reserved seats were in full shade.
Parking
When attending baseball games at Evans Field, we parked in the garage on Durant and Telegraph and entered the campus from Telegraph. Depending on the date and game start time, you can also find parking along Oxford Street and along Frank Schlessinger Way — though be aware that foul balls could potentially make it to the latter’s parking area.
A convenient parking lot is located in front of Levine-Fricke Field for softball games. There’s also parking a 10-minute walk away at the Memorial Stadium garage.
Concessions and Tickets
Concession stands at baseball and softball games have standard sporting event food options: hot dogs, soft pretzels, nachos, chips, and candy. Stu Gordon Stadium also offers a chicken tender sandwich, which appears to be very popular. If you’re not up for franks, you might pack your grub, and be prepared to buy some Skittles for dessert. Water bottles aren’t allowed and there are clear bag restrictions in place. In most situations, you must balance your food on your lap. However, Stu Gordon Stadium has a handful of tables along the third base line that make eating with kids during a baseball game so much more convenient!
In most cases, you can buy tickets right before the game. Families who like to plan can take advantage of will-call and mobile tickets to make the check-in process quicker.
Ticket prices for softball and baseball range between $10-$20. Softball games have special $5 deals on Friday games and free admission to all non-conference home games. Baseball tickets for Tuesday games are $2 for anyone! Kids under 2 are FREE.
See you at the ballgame! 2024 Cal Baseball Schedule >>Â 2024 Cal Softball Schedule >>
