Autism Awareness Day:
A Guide to the Game!
A Guide to the Game
We hope that this “Guide to the Game” will make you more
comfortable about your big day at the ballpark. As you will
see, there’s no reason to be scared or anxious.
Baseball games are supposed to be lots of fun! Keep
clicking to find out more about what you can expect on your
day at the game!
Time to Go Inside the Ballpark!
Before you can enter the ballpark, you’ll need to do 2 things:
1. Go through security
The security guard may touch you
lightly on your pockets. That’s ok! He
will also ask to look inside your bag
(if you bring one). No big deal. This
will be faster and easier if you are
ready for him – watch the person in
line in front of you.
There might be a line to get through security. It doesn’t take long.
Just try to be patient and stay calm. Fun is just ahead!
Time to Go Inside the Ballpark!
2. Show your ticket to the nice ticket-taker
Now it’s time to go inside!
Inside the Ballpark:
Before the Game
There will be signs that tell you where
to go inside the ballpark.
You’ll be able to see the field
from almost anywhere in the
ballpark. So you can walk
around and check out different
spots without missing the game!
Inside the Ballpark:
Before the Game
Sights:
•
There will be LOTS of fans at the ballpark! Most of them will
be very friendly, but not all of them. Even though everyone
may be rooting for the same team, that doesn’t mean that it’s
safe to talk to strangers by yourself or walk away from your
family and friends. Be careful!
•
People will be walking around before the game buying food
and checking out the different parts of the ballpark. You will
see people of all different ages, sizes, shapes, colors, and
abilities. You don’t need to ask anyone about how they look.
Inside the Ballpark:
Before the Game
More Sights:
A lot of fans will be wearing the home team
colors. Lots of them will be wearing hats and
baseball shirts or jerseys. That’s cool! It’s a
way of showing other people that they love
the team!
You’ll also notice the huge scoreboard in
the center-field part of the ball park. It’s got
an awesome video screen! Plus, it will help
you know who is up at-bat and which team
is winning. They might show instant
replays here too!
Inside the Ballpark:
Before the Game
Sounds:
• You’ll hear music playing through the speakers
around the ballpark. Don’t worry, it won’t be too loud.
You might like some of the songs!
• The scoreboard will also be playing some
advertisements – like the ones you see on TV.
• You will also hear a kind of low murmur of the crowd.
At first it will be quiet, but it will grow louder as more
and more fans show up. It’s ok to cover your ears
when it gets too loud.
Inside the Ballpark:
Before the Game
Smells:
• You will smell lots of different foods throughout the ballpark. Some of
them you will like, and some of them you may not like. That’s ok.
You can always ask if you can move away from a bad smell.
• Some of the foods you can expect to smell are hot dogs, popcorn,
pretzels, sausage & peppers, nachos, French fries and beer.
Inside the Ballpark:
Before the Game
• The game is about to start - Time to find your seat!
Make sure you have your ticket. That will tell you
and the usher where you’re supposed to sit. There
are 3 important numbers on your ticket: a
section, a row and a seat number.
• The most important number to remember (in
case you lose your ticket or get separated) is
your section number. But keep your ticket in
your pocket just in case.
Inside the Ballpark:
Before the Game
• In a ballpark, seats can be very close to each other, so can the
rows. You will be sitting next to your family or friends but there
might be someone you don’t know on one side of you. Don’t
worry, everyone is there to have fun at the game!
• If someone in your row has to get up and go get a snack or go to
the bathroom, you can just stand up and let them pass.
Game Time: Play Ball!
Before every baseball game, someone always sings the National
Anthem. The announcer will ask everyone to stand up and remove
our hats (if you are wearing one). Then the song will start. The
singer will use a microphone - it won’t be too loud, but it’s ok to
cover your ears if you need to. It’s also great to sing along!
Game Time: Play Ball!
•
One more thing before the
game starts: someone needs
to throw out the first pitch!
•
This might be a celebrity, or an
important person, or even a
kid. You can cheer them on!
During the Game
• The announcer will announce the name and position of every
player as they come up to bat.
• Each player will also walk up to the plate while one of his
favorite songs plays over the speakers. Sometimes this music
can be a bit loud, but it only lasts for about 10 seconds.
It might be one of your
favorite songs too!
During the Game
• Each inning has 2 halves: one for the visiting team to have a
chance at-bat and one for the home team’s chance to hit. Both
teams will try to score as many runs as they can every inning
before they get 3 outs.
• You can cheer for both teams. But most fans will only be cheering
for the home team!
• Cheering can be yelling things like,
“Let’s Go Team!” and “We want a
hit!” or just clapping your hands.
When Most Fans Cheer the Loudest
Homeruns!
Strikeouts!
Great Plays!
Plays at the Plate!
During the Game
• Sometimes you will hear sound effects that come
out of the speakers around the park. They might
sound like hands clapping or a trumpet tooting.
They can sometimes seem loud to us. It’s ok
because they last less than one minute.
• The team does this when they want their fans (like
you!) to start cheering louder. They might want the
fans to yell, “Let’s Go Team!” or “Chaaaarge!”
During the Game
You will also see and hear lots of vendors. These are people who
walk around the ball park selling treats like food, drinks and
souvenirs. All of these things cost money. It you want to buy
something, try yelling out “Hey!” or waving to them. Or you can
ask for help from someone you’re sitting with.
During the Game
•
Halfway through the 7th inning, everyone will be given a
break called the 7th inning stretch. Most fans like to stand up
and stretch their arms and legs.
•
You will hear a song play
through the speakers “Take Me Out to the Ball
Game” and possibly other
songs. The words may be
shown up on the video
screen. Lots of people like
to sing along!
Game Over!
• Most games will end after the 9th inning and all of the fans will
start to make their way out of the ball park.
• Sometimes if it’s tied there will be extra innings.
• Be careful, it can be very
crowded! Be sure to hold
your mom or dad’s hand. It
is sometimes a good idea to
leave a little early to beat
the rush!
REMEMBER!
• The most important thing to remember while you are at the
game is this: Baseball games are FUN! You should be
comfortable and enjoying yourself with your friends &
family.
• If there is a problem or you feel anxious or frustrated,
please tell someone. Ask for help. It’s ok!
Major League Baseball Clubs
Questions?
We are here to help!
Please feel free to email
Autism Speaks at
[email protected]
or call us at 888-288-4762.