You won’t want to miss it when the Rainiers take on their division rivals the Sacramento River Cats. The rivalry used to have extra importance as the River Cats were the Triple-A affiliate of the Mariners’ division rivals the Oakland A’s. However, that has changed as now the River Cats are the San Francisco Giants affiliate.
Like their parent clubs the Rainiers and Bees have an intense rivalry. Make sure to take the opportunity to see future Mariners stars play future Angels stars when the Rainiers take on the Bees.
Tacoma Rainiers Tailgate Guide
Atmosphere
Park in the general admission lots for some tailgating or take a cab or Uber from downtown Tacoma if you want to enjoy some of the best bars and restaurants Tacoma has to offer. The general parking at Rainiers games cost $10 and fills up quickly, so make sure to arrive early, if you want to enjoy some parking lot action before the game.
Those of you who want to go to a bar or restaurant before the game will want to make your way to the stadium from downtown. The neighborhood immediately surrounding Cheney Stadium is mostly residential providing you with few restaurant options.
Head on down to downtown Tacoma before the game if you want to enjoy the city to its fullest before taking in a Rainiers game.
When attending a game at Cheney Park, go in the main entrance so you can see the stadium marquee and team store on your way into the park. The team store is an excellent place to grab some Rainiers gear before the game as well.
Where to tailgate
General Admission ParkingIf you’re looking to park and tailgate, then general admission parking area is the place for you. Set up a small tailgate party with your friends and family here before the game to enjoy a Rainiers game to its fullest.
Downtown TacomaThose of you who are looking to stop by bars and restaurants before the game will want to do so in downtown Tacoma. There isn’t a ton of great food options close to the park making downtown your best bet.
Tacoma Rainiers Stadium Guide
In Game
Baseball fans in the Tacoma area won’t want to miss the opportunity to see future Mariners stars play at Cheney Stadium. The Tacoma Rainiers have been the Mariners Triple-A affiliate since 1995, and over the years lots of Mariners greats have come through Tacoma. You won’t want to miss the stars of tomorrow take the field at Cheney Stadium.
In addition to the ability to see future MLB stars, a Rainiers game also offers a lot of family fun. The Family Pavilion is a great place to take the kids during the game and is home to a playground and a wiffle ball field.
Finally, if you’re taking a large group to the game or want an interesting view of the ballpark, then the Bullpen Lounge, Left Field Party Decks, and Coors Light Landing are just the places for you. All three of these areas offer unique views of the field, so come back to Cheney Stadium a few times to watch the games from all the different areas.
You’ll have a lot of fun attending a Rainiers game, so get your tickets today.
The Rainiers have a statue of Ben Cheney who helped bring a team to Tacoma. The statue is seated behind home plate and presents an excellent photo op for any Rainiers fan.
Those of you taking the kids to the game will want to stop by the Family Pavilion. The Family Pavilion features a playground and wiffle ball field and is the perfect place for kids to play during the game.
Located below the outfield party deck, the Bullpen Lounge gives fans a field-level view of the action. If you’ve ever wanted to watch the game like an outfielder, then the Bullpen Lounge is just the spot for you.
If you’re entertaining a large group at Cheney Field, then you can’t beat the Left Field Party Decks. The Party Decks can accommodate between 50 and 700 people and offer some of the best views in the ballpark.
The Coors Light Landing is located above the bullpens in the outfield and provides a fantastic view of the field as well as Mt. Rainier. You’ll also find a great selection of craft beers here as well, so stop by and pick one up during your visit to Cheney Stadium.
Keep an eye out for the Rainiers beloved mascot Rhubarb the Reindeer. Rhubarb is a big part of every Rainiers game and gets into all kinds of shenanigans making him a must-see.
After Saturday and Sunday games, kids can run the bases at Cheney Stadium. If you're bringing the kids to a weekend game, then make sure to stick around and run the bases after the game.