Swing batter, batter swing! Baseball season has begun. Which means you have over 2,000 more opportunities to host a big league baseball BBQ and watch the game with your friends!
When you think of a baseball game there are just some things that come to mind right away: hot dogs, popcorn, beer, nachos, music, 7th Inning Stretch, baseballs caps, team flags, cracker jacks, jerseys and I’m sure there are more, but this is a good start to set the stage for your get together.
Let’s Plan Your Baseball BBQ…
First you have to decide which of your team’s remaining 160 games you want to have your friends over to watch with you. In today’s world it’s so convenient to just send out a text for a get together like this. If that doesn’t work for your group of friends decide how is best to contact them. Maybe it’s through email, Facebook, an actual phone call, or evite. You know what’s best for your friends. This can be very casual and doesn’t really require a formal invite.
Now that the date is set and the friends are invited let’s get to the menu and all the little details that will make your get together stand out from any other baseball BBQ.
Setting the menu will help make everyone feel like they are at the game without having to break the bank to enjoy some great food and drink while watching the game.
Baseball Game Menu:
Hot Dogs
Yes, of course, you can grill up some dogs during the game. That works perfectly. But, an even easier way is to use your crock-pot. You can stand the hot dogs up straight and fill your crock pot that way or lay them down on top of each other. Cook them on high for 1-2 hours then turn it down to warm. This is a great way to keep the dogs hot no matter when people want to eat.
You can also put them in the buns and wrap them in aluminum foil. I would use the small ½ foil sheets. They are the perfect size to wrap hotdogs. You can then place the hot dogs into an empty cooler and they will stay warm. Yes, they will stay warm in a cooler. Just don’t put ice packs in the cooler! The dogs will stay warm and anyone can grab one and feel like they are at the park. Be sure to have mustard and onions available to dress the dogs.
Walking Tacos
This is one of my favorite snacks at the park. Have you ever had them? If not and you love Fritos and nachos you’re going to love these!!
Walking tacos are just a bag of fritos piled with all your favorite nacho toppings, IN THE BAG! This would be easy to recreate in your home.
What you need for walking tacos:
- Snack size bags of Fritos
- Chili or taco stew – keep warm in a crock pot
- Shredded lettuce
- Chopped tomatoes
- Chopped onions
- Shredded cheese
- Warm liquid cheese – Buy your favorite from the store and keep it warm in a small crock pot.
- Sour cream
Your guests just open a bag of fritos and pile on all the toppings of their choice, grab a fork and they are ready to enjoy! You don’t even need plates or bowls for these.
Popcorn and Cracker Jacks
You can pop some popcorn before guests arrive and put bowls around the house for your guests. You can also buy boxes of cracker jacks and set them up around the party area. These make a great built in decor. It serves 2 purposes decor and food.
Soft Pretzels
How delicious are soft pretzels? Then add in some hot nacho cheese, YUM! If I’m serving up warm pretzels I buy the box in the frozen section of the grocery store. You already have the warm liquid cheese from the walking tacos to use for these too.
Baseball BBQ Beverages
The smell of beer is everywhere around the park, and while you don’t want your house to smell like beer you want your guests to be able to easily grab a beer. Set up some coolers and fill them with beer. Also have a cooler for pop and water. I personally am not a beer drinker, so I like to also have a margarita mixed up or bottles of Mike’s Hard Lemonade available. Another great option is to offer Beer Margaritas. This combines the veer aspect of Baseball with my favorite drink, the margarita. In addition, you can make a pitcher of this so the guests can help themselves.
What Dessert Should You Serve at a Baseball BBQ?
Ice Cream, of course!
A hot summer day always requires some ice cream. Walk down the frozen aisle in your grocery store and see what catches your eye. What takes you back to being a kid? Or what do you always eat when your at a game? Pick up a couple different boxes of cold treats and I’m sure your guests will find something they love too!
You could also set up an Ice Cream Bar! Your guests will love being able to create their own frozen treat in a cup. Try some sweet and salty combinations. On your table include your favorite baseball game treats, such as, cracker jacks, crushed pretzels and peanuts.
Decorating for your Baseball BBQ
I LOVE to set the mood for the party. Besides the food, there are two other main aspects of setting the mood, the decor and the music.
Decorating ideas:
- Team t-shirts and baseball caps can be used all around to add a little touch of team spirit.
- Do you have your team’s flag? You can hang that out front of your house or in the room with the tv.
- If you have a large team flag (not American flag) or team beach towel you can use that as your table cloth under the food.
- If you are purchasing paper plates and napkins, select them in your team’s colors.
- Place Cracker Jack boxes all around the party area too
Playlist ideas:
I feel like some of the most popular songs I hear at baseball games are from the 70’s and 80’s. I’m not complaining! So set up your playlist to incorporate songs you love from any decade but also be sure to include some of the following
- ‘We Will Rock You’ Queen
- ‘Walk This Way’ Aerosmith
- ‘Start Me Up’ The Rolling Stones
- ‘Pour Some Sugar on Me’ Def Leppard
- ‘You Give Love a Bad Name’ Bon Jovi
- ‘Glory Days’ Bruce Springsteen
- ‘Walking on Sunshine’ Katrina and the Waves
- ‘Welcome to the Jungle’ Guns N Roses
- ‘YMCA’ The Village People
- ‘Centerfield’ John Fogerty
- And of course, Take me Out to the Ballgame
Now you’re ready for the first pitch! Don’t worry, you won’t strike out with a party like this!
Please pin this post so you can easily refer back to it for all the tips suggested here.
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