Judy Johnson Field at Frawley Stadium
Blue Rocks minor-league baseball on the Riverfront — cheap tickets, free parking, kids running the concourse.
The Quick Version
- • Home of the Wilmington Blue Rocks — minor-league baseball on the Riverfront. Season runs roughly April through September.
- • Single-game pricing varies — check the Blue Rocks seating/pricing page before buying. Parking is free in front of the stadium and behind the outfield.
- • Flat concourse, stroller-friendly, covered grandstand for shade, kid-friendly concourse promos and between-inning activities. Quick exits when little ones tap out.
- • Friday fireworks nights and dollar-hot-dog Tuesdays are the family-favorite promos. Check the schedule before you go.
Best Ages
All ages, sweet spot 3–10
Plan For
2.5–3 hours for a full game; many families do 3–5 innings and leave
Adults
Varies by game
Kids
Varies by game
What to Expect
Frawley Stadium is one of the best-value family outings in NCC. It's a 6,500-seat minor-league ballpark on the Wilmington Riverfront, home to the Blue Rocks. Tickets are cheap, parking is free, and the whole experience is built for casual fans — which makes it ideal with young kids who aren't going to sit still for a full nine innings.
The layout is friendly. You enter on Shipyard Drive, walk up a short ramp to the main concourse, and the field is right there — no climbing, no maze. The grandstand sweeps around home plate with covered seating; bleachers extend down the lines. A grassy lawn area beyond the outfield is the cheapest seat in the house when it's open, and it works well with toddlers who need to move.
The between-innings entertainment is the real selling point for kids. Mr. Celery — the team's celery-suited mascot who emerges whenever the Blue Rocks score — has been a Wilmington institution for 25+ years. Kids race the mascot, win prizes, dance on the dugout, and on certain Sundays get to run the bases after the game. The PA volume is moderate, not stadium-rock loud.
The season runs roughly April through September. The two highest-traffic family nights are Friday fireworks (post-game, around 9:30 PM — too late for very young kids) and dollar-hot-dog Tuesdays. Sunday day games are the easiest with toddlers: shorter overall, daylight the whole time, no bedtime collision.
Games run 2.5–3 hours. Plenty of families show up for the first 3–4 innings, hit the kids zone, get ice cream, and head home — that's a normal pattern, nobody side-eyes you for leaving early. The Riverwalk is right there if you want to stretch a half-day into a full one.
Did You Know?
Plenty of families show up for three or four innings, hit the kids zone, grab ice cream, and head home — nobody side-eyes you for leaving early at a Blue Rocks game, which is the whole point of going with toddlers.
Who It's Best For
Babies and toddlers: the flat concourse and covered seating make it easy with a stroller; games are loud-ish but not overwhelming. Preschoolers: the kids zone, mascot Mr. Celery, between-inning contests on the field, and the option to just wander the concourse. Elementary: peak window — they get the game, run the bases on Sundays (when offered), and last through fireworks. Tweens and up: cheap tickets and a relaxed setting make it an easy outing.
Highlights
Mr. Celery
All agesThe team mascot — a man in a celery costume who emerges whenever the Blue Rocks score. A Wilmington baseball institution for 25+ years. Kids love him.
Kid-Friendly Concourse Promos
Ages 3–10Between-inning activities, on-field contests, and concourse play features that rotate by season. Specific setup varies — confirm with the team if a particular feature is the reason you're going.
Friday Night Fireworks
Ages 4+Post-game fireworks on Friday home games. Best fireworks deal in NCC for the price. Runs around 9:30 PM — late for toddlers, perfect for elementary kids and up.
Sunday Day Games
Ages 2+Afternoon start, often with kids' promotions (run-the-bases after the game on select Sundays — check the schedule). The easiest game format with young kids.
Dollar Hot Dog Tuesdays
All agesDollar hot dogs at the concession stands on Tuesday home games. Combined with cheap tickets and free parking, the cheapest family night out in NCC by a wide margin.
The Lawn / Bleacher Seats
Ages 1–8Cheaper general-admission seating beyond the infield. Kids who can't sit still have room to wander, and you still see the game. Bring a blanket for the lawn.
What to Skip with Little Ones
- • Friday fireworks games if your kid is under 2–3 — the booms are loud and the games run late.
- • Sitting in unshaded bleachers for a summer afternoon game. Pay the small premium for the covered grandstand or bring serious sun protection.
- • Trying to make it through the full nine innings with a toddler. Plan to leave around the 5th — it's normal.
Logistics
Admission
Adults
Varies by game
Kids
Varies by game
Under
Children ages 3 and younger typically free on a lap
Single-game pricing varies by seat type, game, and season — check the Blue Rocks seating/pricing page before buying. Pricing tiers generally include grandstand reserved, premium seats, and lawn/standing room when available. Group, military, and senior discounts offered.
Membership tip: Season ticket plans and 6/12-game flex packs drop the per-game price significantly. For occasional family visits, weeknight games are the better value.
Getting There
Parking
Free in the large lots in front of the stadium and behind the outfield wall. The lot fills on fireworks nights and big promotions — arrive 30–45 minutes before first pitch on those.
If the main lot is full, the free Shipyard Shops lot is a short walk down the Riverwalk. A VIP lot near the main gates requires a permit or handicap placard. Street parking on Justison St is free evenings and weekends.
Entrance
Main gate is on Shipyard Drive, facing the parking lot. Bag check at the gate. Stroller access is fine — head straight up the ramp to the main concourse.
Parent Logistics
Excellent. The main concourse is flat and wide, with a clear sightline of the field from most points. You can park a stroller next to your seat in the grandstand. Ramps everywhere — no stairs required to get around the main level.
Multiple restrooms around the concourse. Lines move quickly between innings.
Changing tables available in restrooms.
Mixed. The grandstand seats behind home plate and along the baselines are covered. The bleachers and lawn areas are fully exposed — bring hats, sunscreen, and water for afternoon games in summer.
Food & Snacks
Standard ballpark concessions: hot dogs, burgers, chicken tenders, pretzels, popcorn, ice cream, soft serve, beer for adults. Vegetarian and a few healthier options too. Dollar-hot-dog promotions on Tuesdays in season are a fan favorite.
Snack strategy: Eat at the ballpark on dollar-hot-dog nights — it's basically the move. Otherwise, the food is fine but standard. If you want a real meal first, Riverfront Market is a 5-minute walk down the Riverwalk. Outside food and drink policies vary — check before you bring a bag of snacks.
Pro Tips
- ✓ Tuesday home games are the cheapest combination — discount tickets plus dollar hot dogs.
- ✓ Park behind the outfield if the front lot is full — it's a 3-minute walk and almost always has space.
- ✓ Bring ear protection for fireworks nights if your kid is under 4. The post-game show is louder than you'd think.
- ✓ Run-the-bases is offered on select Sundays — confirm with the box office for the specific date if it's a deciding factor.
- ✓ Combine a game with mini golf or the Children's Museum (both 5 minutes away on the Riverfront) for a longer afternoon.
- ✓ The covered grandstand is the right family seat in summer — small premium, big shade payoff.
When to Go
Best Time to Visit
Tuesday and Sunday home games for the cheapest tickets and the most family-friendly promos. Friday nights for fireworks. Day games (typically Sundays) are easier with toddlers — no late bedtime to manage. Gates open 45 minutes before Tue–Sat games, 1 hour before Sunday games.
Seasonal Notes
Baseball season runs spring through early fall (typically April through September). No baseball November through March. The stadium occasionally hosts other events in the off-season — check the venue calendar. Summer afternoons can be hot in unshaded seats; the grandstand is covered, the bleachers are not.
Rainy Day?
Rain delays are common in spring and summer; games are often shortened or postponed rather than fully cancelled. Check the team's social channels before driving over. The Delaware Children's Museum is a 5-minute walk away and is a strong rain-out backup.
While You're in the Area
The whole Wilmington Riverfront is at the doorstep — Delaware Children's Museum, Riverwalk Mini Golf, and the DuPont Environmental Education Center are all within a 10-minute walk. Riverfront Market is the easy pre-game lunch stop.
Upcoming Events
Verified against the venue’s official info.
Last reviewed May 20, 2026. Prices re-checked May 20, 2026. Confirm anything dated (admission, hours, special events) on the venue’s own site before you drive.
Sources: milb.com , riverfrontwilm.com