Best MLB "Kids Clubs" for 2016

Major League Baseball is back in the full swing of things for another season so that means it is time for A Geek Daddy's annual look at the best "Kids Clubs" that teams have to offer this year.  Getting your child a Kids Club membership can be a fun way to connect your child to a favorite team or can be a nice souvenir during a family outing to the ballpark. MLB Kids Clubs are a membership fan package sold by various baseball teams that can be purchased for children that can include things such as team apparel and branded merchandise, special experiences at the ballpark, and a kids focused team newsletter among other things. 

Last year I purchased a Detroit Tigers "Kids Club" membership for my kids to help boost their interest in my favorite team since they watch a lot of the games with me on TV.  We also went to Toronto to see the Tigers play last summer and while we were at the Rogers Centre picked up the Blue Jays Kids Club pack as a memento of our trip for my kids.  When you think of how expensive souvenirs can be at the ballpark, the Blue Jays Kids Club pack which featured a nice baseball cap, a drawstring backpack, a metallic water bottle, and a canvass wallet was a great bargain.

Of the 30 MLB teams, 25 have kids programs to encourage children to become fans of the team and develop an interest in the sport of baseball.  The programs vary from team to team in both the price charged to participate (ranging from FREE to $50) and the benefits provided, so it is important for the adult who may be purchasing a kids club membership for their child, grandchild, niece, nephew and so on to do some research before signing up to participate to make sure there is a value in your situation to participate.  Some of the programs are really nice aimed to enhance the fan experience and enjoyment of the game while other Kids Clubs aren't much of a value and seem to be run as just another way to try to get a few more bucks out of a fan's wallet.

A Geek Daddy Blog has taken a look at each of the current programs offered by MLB teams and ranked the Top 5 KID CLUBS for 2016 in my opinion based upon these factors -  price/value, coolness/wow factor, quality of materials/swag, special events, and branding for the program.  So going from fifth place to the best we have:

5.  CINCINNATI REDS - REDS HEADS

The Reds always do a stellar job with branding for their "REDS HEADS"  Kids Club.  They provide some great members-only experiences like free autograph sessions with the players and other special ballpark events children can participate.  They also supplement their Kids Club benefits with nice freebies and discounts from sponsors that include the Cincinnati Zoo, Newport Aquarium, Bob Evans, Cincinnati Museum Center, and Coney Island among others.  Normally the Reds have some of the nicest swag of all the MLB Kids Clubs but this year they are a bit lacking in my opinion though the REDS HEADS branded pillow case, sports performance shirt, gym bag and spirit cape this year's members are provided are still nice and a lot better than the merchandise provided by a lot of the other programs.  If your family roots for the Reds and has children between the ages of 3 and 12 this really is a nice program to participate in.

4.  ATLANTA BRAVES - BRAVES KIDS CLUB

The Brave's first baseman, Freddie Freeman is the player ambassador to their Kids Club providing a nice connection between the team and the children.  Each child get a welcome letter from him and a Freddie Freeman Kids Club jersey.  Kids Club members also get access to special events at the ballpark such as a VIP Batting Practice Experience, VIP access to Kids Run the Bases, a meet and greet with team mascot Homer and the tools from the Home Depot Tool Race, free face painting and a chance to to be selected to "bang the big drum" at a game among other opportunities.  Plus a coupon for a FREE Chick-fil-A sandwich.

3.  BALTIMORE ORIOLES - JUNIOR ORIOLES DUGOUT CLUB

The Junior Orioles Dugout Club provides each kid with a FREE ticket to each of six specially designated games and provides parents with special discounted pricing for those game day tickets.  At every one of these Dugout Club games, the child also gets a special members-only giveaway item available only at that game.  Each Kids Club membership also includes a Junior Orioles Dugout Club branded cap, sunglasses and messenger bag that each member received with their welcome package.  Members are kept updated on team news throughout the season with a subscription to Orioles Kids Magazine.

2. LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM - JUNIOR ANGELS

Priced at $18 this is one of the better Kids Club bargains available throughout Major League Baseball.  With a membership, children are provided the opportunity to attend four games for FREE, though a parent or guardian still needs purchase a ticket to attend with them.  They do a nice job of branding their Kids Club merchandise with its Rally Monkey mascot.  Junior Angels members receive with their membership a lunch bag, t-shirt, sweatband, and a toy featuring Rally Monkey.  All members are entered into drawings throughout the season where randomly picked children receive autographed items from Angels players.  The team also allows adult fans to donate money which sponsors sick children at a local children's hospital to be Junior Angels with players and coaches personally delivering those kids' membership gear to them at the medical facility throughout the year.

1.  KANSAS CITY ROYALS- SLUGGERRR'S BLUE CREW

Kansas City gets top honors because in addition to free ticket vouchers and special members events and opportunities they have the nicest swag out there this year.  For a reasonably priced $25, Sluggerrr's Blue Crew members receive a very nice exclusive zippered KC performance pullover, special edition KC flat bill snap back cap, a Blue Crew sports necklace and a VIP membership badge with lanyard.

We're also giving an honorable mention nod to the Arizona Diamondbacks for their NO CHEW CREW promotion this season.  The team has teamed up with Delta Dental of Arizona to bring awareness to young fans about the dangers of spit tobacco.

During one game each month of the season, Delta Dental of Arizona hosts a SUNDAY SLUGGERS 30-minute show featuring a D-backs player and D. Baxter the team's bobcat mascot who discuss the dangers of using smokeless chewing tobacco.  Plus any kid under the age of 15 who takes the NO CHEW PLEDGE while attending any game or by filling it out online joins the NO CHEW CREW which includes the perks of a FREE children's admission ticket to every Sunday home game this season and a FREE toothbrush.

Cheering on your favorite sporting team can be a great bonding experience for parents and kids plus a fun way to spend time together as a family.  MLB Kids Clubs can be a nice way to introduce your children to the team you cheer for and encourage them to join you as a fan.  What team are you rooting for this year?

Of course we've only highlighted a handful of the Kids Clubs that are available to join.  Check out your favorite team and see if you like what they have to offer. For more information on the various MLB Kids Club programs available, visit mlb.mlb.com/mlb/kids/

5 Best "KIDS CLUBS" in Major League Baseball for 2014

It is Opening Day and Major League Baseball is swinging into action for its 2014 season.  So it seemed a fitting day to post my annual list of the Top 5 "Kids Clubs" in Major League Baseball (MLB).  These programs can be a fun way for a parent to share his or her love of America's Pastime as they provide newsletters, team swag, and special events geared toward attracting the interest of children.  Of the 31 MLB teams, 27 have kids programs to encourage children to become fans of the team and develop an interest in the sport of baseball.  The programs vary from team to team in both the price charged to participate (ranging from FREE to $50) and the benefits provided, so it is important for the adult who may be purchasing a kids club membership for their child, grandchild, niece, nephew and so on to do some research before signing up to participate to make sure there is a value in your situation to participate.

I've taken a look at each of the current programs offered by MLB teams and have ranked my Top 5 below based upon these factors -  price/value for the money, coolness/wow factor, quality of materials/swag, special events, and branding:

1) ST. LOUIS CARDINALS  The Cardinals set the standard for hosting Kids Clubs in the Major Leagues by hosting not just one but two quality programs for young fans.  For children 4 to 13 they have the Cardinals Kids Club and for teens and young adults they host the Varsity Club for fans aged 14 to 19.

The Cardinals Kids Club provides its members with a fun exclusive perk in hosting a MEMBERS ONLY PARTY at Busch Stadium that includes games, snacks, Cardinals players signing autographs, and a chance to meet the team mascot.  Members are also provided 2 tickets to a Monday - Thursday home game during the regular season.  Another perk of membership is some nice Cardinals gear that includes an exclusive kids club bubble head figure, an official kids club backpack, binoculars, a color themed rope bracelet, 2014 membership lapel pin, a Cardinals lanyard, and a coupon book with discounts and perks.

The Varsity Club provides 2 tickets to a Monday - Thursday home game at Busch Stadium during the regular season plus admission to a specially designated "Varsity Club Day @ The Ballpark" game.  Members are provided early access to the "Varsity Club Day" game which features a pre-game program featuring Cardinals Front Office executives and players and a parade around the warning track.  Varsity Club gear includes a branded duffel bag and ear buds with a carrying case.  Members also receive a coupon book that provides discounts and free perks at Cardinals games and a membership magazine that is mailed to their homes.

One drawback though is that these programs are on the pricier side when it comes to Membership fees for MLB kids clubs.  The Cardinals Kids Club costs $30 plus $2 processing charge & $5 shipping and handling for a total cost of $37.  The Membership fee for the Varsity Club is $35 plus 2 processing fee & $5 shipping and handling for a total cost of $42.  The team scored well in all of the 5 judging categories though to earn it the top ranking for 2014.

2) MIAMI MARLINS  The Miami Marlins took second place this year based upon its extraordinary scoring in the judging category of PRICE/VALUE FOR THE MONEY.  The Billy's Bunch Kids Club is FREE for children 12 and under who live in the 5 Miami area counties that pay a property tax supporting the team's stadium.  If you live in Florida outside those counties it still only costs $2.95 to join and if you are a fan living outside of the state there is a  $9.95 membership fee.  When you taking into consideration the items members receive from the team when they join, even at $9.95 participating in Billy's Bunch Kids Club is an exceptional value.  The Marlin's Kid Club provides its members a Welcome Letter from their mascot, Billy the Marlin, 2 complimentary tickets to a Marlin's home game, a membership card, Billy the Marlin ear buds, a sports backpack, an activity book, a Billy the Marlin LED watch, coupon for a free Duffy's Kids Meal, a free month access to the MLB.com Digital Academy Players Clubhouse, and front of the line access for Kids Run the Bases after Sunday home games.

One item that was disappointing when it comes to the Billy's Bunch Kids Club though was that they offer a really nice special event perk that allows members that are between 7 and 12 years old to participate in a baseball skills clinic with Marlins players and coaches, but it is limited to the first 100 members to RSVP when it is announced.  It is nice that the team limits participation to maximize the value for those who attend but it would be nice if they held several similar events throughout the season to provide more kids the opportunity to participate.  A random draw versus a first to RSVP might be more fair for everyone to have a chance too.

If you family cheers for the Marlins, especially if you live in the Miami area, you shouldn't miss out in letting your children enjoy this Kids Club.

3) CINCINNATI REDS  The REDS HEADS scored high marks high marks in EVERY judging category this year to lock up the 3rd place ranking in 2014.  For $25 members receive perks that include numerous special events and the best swag items of any MLB kids club.  RED HEADS receive an exclusive replica of a Reds home jersey, a replica batting practice hat, glove shaped backpack, hologram Reds logo baseball, membership card with lanyard, free Bob Evans kids meal, and free admission opportunities to the Reds Hall of Fame & Museum, Cincinnati Zoo, and Cincinnati Museum Centers OMNIMAX Theater.  A Reds Heads email newsletter is also thrown into this membership package for young fans.

4) KANSAS CITY ROYALS Sluggerrr's Blue Crew scored high marks with its branding and giveaway items to secure the fourth spot in this year's Top 5 list.  For $25 (plus $5 if you order online bringing the price up to $30 since that is the primary way the program is marketed), Sluggerrr's Blue Crew members receive an exclusive t-shirt, special edition KC cap, official club magnet, 2 game ticket vouchers, passes for Outfield Experience activities, and a VIP membership badge with lanyard.  Members also are provided front of the line access to the Sprint Fun Run around the bases after Sunday home games and can get a free stadium tour.

Kansas City does an incredible job with branding their program but is a little lacking with providing special events and non-merchandise item perks.  If they up their game next season Sluggerrr's Blue Crew could be a contender with the Reds Heads for the number one spot in 2015's rankings.

5) OAKLAND A's  The A's cracked the Top 5 this year based on their great score in the Wow Factor category based upon their offering members the most unique and useful giveaway item of any MLB kids club program, the STOMPER bobblehead toothbrush holder.

Unfortunately, without this great giveaway item this Kids Club probably be in the middle of the pack when compared to other teams' programs.  Its Kids Club Passport program is a costly burdensome incentive package involving families having to purchase tickets for 10 to 25 games to have the chance to win prizes. This is a nice feature for season ticket holders but not for families that just attend a few games during the season.  I'm also flabergasted that the A's cheaped out and didn't include their toothbrushes with their toothbrush holder.

The special in-game promotions by the A's involving its Kids Club members are what push them over the top to grab the final spot on the Top 5 list.  Each member can spin a wheel during Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday home games and is guaranteed to win a prize, including a chance to "Steal the Base" on Saturdays, announce the A's lineup on Sundays, bring the umpire water on Fridays.

At $25 (plus $5 for shipping and handling for a price tag of $30) to join, the A's are going to need to pick up their game to chase off teams like the Angels, Nationals, Orioles, Redsox, Rockies, or Tigers from passing them up on the 2015 best of list.

Cheering on your favorite sporting team can be a great bonding experience and fun way to spend time together as a family.  MLB Kids Clubs are a nice way to introduce your children to the team you cheer for and encourage them to join you as a fan.  If you haven't checked them out for your local team, I encourage you to do so.  CLICK HERE for a listing of all the MLB team's website kids' sections.

Some of these teams have kids clubs and others just have information of interest to children and teens posted online.