Yardbarker
x
20 of the weirdest, wildest and best theme nights for the 2017 baseball season
Hello Kitty days seem to be popular around Major League Baseball. Bob Stanton/USA TODAY Sports

20 of the weirdest, wildest and best theme nights for the 2017 baseball season

We are so, so, so close to the beginning of baseball season, and it's good that we are, because baseball teams, perhaps more than any other sports organizations, realize that the experience of going to a ballgame is one to be cherished. Sunshine, cold beers, sunflower seeds and hanging out in the bleachers with friends — it's all part of what makes going to a game so special. Sometimes, however, teams go a bit more overboard and reward fans with theme nights to kick up the fun (or weirdness) factor up another notch or three. Here are 20 of the theme nights to look forward to for 2017.

 
1 of 20

Milwaukee Brewers: Hello Kitty Night

Milwaukee Brewers: Hello Kitty Night
Global News

You can keep your try-hard "Star Wars" and "Game of Thrones" nights. The Brewers know that there's nothing tougher than Sanrio's famed mascot Hello Kitty. On Aug. 2, she will make her first-ever appearance at Miller Park, complete with a baseball outfit. Fans who attend this event will also go home with a special Hello Kitty tote bag. I can't help but notice that the Brewers scheduled Hello Kitty night for a game against the Cardinals. There's a bit of a statement there, methinks.

 
2 of 20

St. Louis Cardinals: Soccer Night

St. Louis Cardinals: Soccer Night
Skill Twins Tour

Wait, what? Hold on. I'm confused. OK, as far as I can understand, July 24 at Busch Stadium will be an event celebrating soccer, hosted by the St. Louis Cardinals, a baseball team, where they are giving away exclusive soccer jerseys for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Because everybody knows that there's nothing soccer fans love more than watching baseball!

 
3 of 20

Boston Red Sox: New Kids on the Block Night

Boston Red Sox: New Kids on the Block Night
Boston Globe

What could be more Boston than this? On April 14, Fenway Park will host the Rays and also a night devoted to America's third-favorite boy band. Admission to the event also includes an exclusive button.

 
4 of 20

Philadelphia Phillies: Nurses Night

Philadelphia Phillies: Nurses Night
MLB.com

Sure, many teams have nights dedicated to members of certain professions, but how many actually create team-branded merchandise for them? When the Phillies face off against the Washington Nationals May 5, they'll celebrate nursing professionals by giving away Phillies scrub tops. Finally, nurses can wear their fandom on their sleeves too.

 
5 of 20

Atlanta Braves: Superhero Night

Atlanta Braves: Superhero Night
Blake Lance / Twitter

For their June 17th fixture against the Marlins, the Braves will encourage fans to show up to SunTrust Park in capes, masks and tight, form-fitting leggings as they celebrate Superhero Day.

 
6 of 20

Houston Astros: Pinot in the Park

Houston Astros: Pinot in the Park
MLB.com

Not only will the Houston Astros host a wine-tasting event complete with hors d'oeuvres and music as they take on the Cleveland Indians May 19, but they'll also give out an Astros-branded fedora to the first 10,000 fans who show up, so you can be sufficiently snooty while you sniff your wine glass and pretend you can taste those hickory notes.

 
7 of 20

Cincinatti Reds: Margaritaville Night

Cincinatti Reds: Margaritaville Night
IMGRUM

On July 14, the Cincinnati Reds will celebrate the summer by devoting the entire night to Jimmy Buffett. Tickets will include a parrot bobblehead, while the game itself will be capped off with a Margaritaville-themed fireworks show.

 
8 of 20

Milwaukee Brewers: Runner's Night

Milwaukee Brewers: Runner's Night
OnMilwaukee

For the Brewers' April 29 game against the Braves, they're encouraging fans to get some cardio in. Runner's Night ticket packages will include a sweat-wicking running shirt and free registration to either the Famous Racing Sausages 5K or the Brewers Mini Marathon, so be sure to pack a protein bar.

 
9 of 20

Los Angeles Dodgers: Yoga Day

Los Angeles Dodgers: Yoga Day
LA Times

On May 21, the Dodgers hope to put a little "namaste" into the game day experience by selling ticket packages that include a Dodgers-branded yoga mat and admission to a post-game yoga session. Well, at least if the Dodgers lose to the Marlins that afternoon, fans will have the chance to try to regain inner peace.

 
10 of 20

Detroit Tigers: Math Day

Detroit Tigers: Math Day
Detroit Tigers / Twitter

Sure, "Math Day" doesn't sound as exciting as Superheroes Day does, but the Detroit Tigers are actually doing something really cool here. Many Tigers games this season have been designated as "Class Outside" days, events where the Tigers will set up desks and invite students to literally have, well, class outside.

 
11 of 20

Houston Astros (and others!): Game of Thrones Night

Houston Astros (and others!): Game of Thrones Night
MLB.com

This past winter, "Game of Thrones" entered into an agreement with the MLB to bring themed "Game of Thrones" nights to ballparks around the country. The Astros are hosting theirs on June 28, but tons of other clubs are planning their own Game of Thrones nights, featuring cosplay and exclusive items based on everyone's favorite show that kills off all the best characters.

 
12 of 20

San Francisco Giants: Bruce Lee Tribute Night

San Francisco Giants: Bruce Lee Tribute Night
Youtube

On Monday, July 17, the San Francisco Giants will pay tribute to Bruce Lee, a native of the city and, oh, only the best martial artist ever. In-game elements will be themed around the man's life and work, and proceeds from the event will go to his charity. It's a win-win!

 
13 of 20

Seattle Mariners (and pretty much everyone else): Bark at the Park

Seattle Mariners (and pretty much everyone else): Bark at the Park
Seattle Refined

You know what's better than baseball? Baseball with your adorable dog. A majority of MLB teams host Bark at the Park events where fans are encouraged to bring their furry friends to the stadium, but Seattle actually has two dog nights for the 2017 season: one on July 6 and another on Sept. 5.

 
14 of 20

New York Yankees: Old Timers' Day

New York Yankees: Old Timers' Day
MLB.com

A Yankees tradition, the Old Timers' Day for the 2017 season will be held Sunday, June 25, and feature several dozen retired Yankees from throughout the club's history. Previous Old Timers' Day festivities have also included short exhibition games played by these former Yankees, so it's not a night to miss.

 
15 of 20

Los Angeles Angels: Beach Week

Los Angeles Angels: Beach Week
eBay

Not content with a single day, the L.A. Angels have devoted an entire week to beach festivities with the Angels' games from May 31 through June 3 all featuring beach-themed giveaways. So hey, if you were really hankering for an Angels straw hat or rally monkey, now's your chance.

 
16 of 20

Texas Rangers: Star Wars Fireworks

Texas Rangers: Star Wars Fireworks
Nolan Writin

Many baseball teams have Star Wars-themed nights and events, but the Texas Rangers will take it a step further on Friday, Sept. 1 with a full fireworks show based around the beloved movie franchise.

 
17 of 20

Oakland Athletics: Brunch at the Ballpark

Oakland Athletics: Brunch at the Ballpark
MLB.com

Brunch may have been reduced to a punchline by now, but it's still the most delicious meal of the day. The A's will celebrate this sacred meal on July 16 with bacon, eggs, potatoes and other brunch food, but perhaps more importantly, they'll have bloody Marys and mimosas.

 
18 of 20

Washington Nationals: Night OUT

Washington Nationals: Night OUT
Washington Blade

The Washington Nationals will host their 12th annual Night OUT on June 13 to celebrate all their LGBTQ fans. Night OUT is the largest LGBTQ community night in professional sports, and the Nationals expect thousands upon thousands to join the festivities.

 
19 of 20

Detroit Tigers: Yooper Day

Detroit Tigers: Yooper Day
MLB.com

If you're not from Michigan, you may have never heard the term "yooper" before. No, it's not the name of the lost fifth Teletubby; it's a term that refers to Michiganders who live in the upper peninsula — a UP-er, or a yooper. Make sense? Well, even if it doesn't, the Tigers have devoted their Aug. 19 game to their fans from across the bridge, including a upper peninsula-themed hat with the price of admission.

 
20 of 20

Kansas City Royals: Zubazpalooza

Kansas City Royals: Zubazpalooza
Kansas City Royals / Twitter

This is amazing. If you have never heard of Zubazpalooza, well, the Royals have been hosting it for three years now, and the fourth annual celebration of everyone's favorite zebra-striped pants from the '90s is slated for Friday May 5. Tickets will, obviously, come with official Royals-branded Zubaz pants.

Sam Greszes is unlockable by beating the game on Very Hard difficulty without losing a life. You must then defeat him to unlock him for Arcade and Versus modes. You can follow him on Twitter @samgreszeseses, and check out his podcast with David Rappoccio here. He also hosts weekly twitch streams at twitch.tv/robotsfightingdinosaurs.

More must-reads:

Customize Your Newsletter

+

Get the latest news and rumors, customized to your favorite sports and teams. Emailed daily. Always free!

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.