At a lot of smaller minor league parks, it’s possible to hang out behind the outfield fence in an effort to snag a baseball during or after batting practice. That’s not the case at Five County Stadium, however, where fans are restricted from visiting this area. That’s not a big deal, though — with the right approach, you should still be able to get a baseball during your visit. You’ll give yourself a good shot at success by lining up before the gates open and being one of the first fans into the park. Upon entering, take your time to look for baseballs in the seats down the base lines. Often, you’ll find baseballs that the ushers have overlooked after batting practice.
With no outfield seating, you won’t be able to snag a home run at Five County Stadium — but getting a foul ball isn’t very difficult. An upper deck seat behind home plate or a seat down the either base line can put you in a good position to catch a baseball or run after one that has been hit near you.
One strategy to remember is to notice when foul balls fly out of the ballpark. This happens several times each game, and the baseballs will often land in the grass on either side of the main gates. Although fans aren’t allowed to exit and re-enter the park, you should make a point of browsing these grassy areas at the end of the game and seeing what you might be able to find. It can be a pleasant surprise to notice a baseball that you can take with you.
You shouldn’t have trouble getting autographs from multiple players during your visit to Five County Stadium. Autograph seeking tends to be easier at the lower levels of the minor leagues, as players are typically more accommodating toward requests. The gates open one hour before first pitch, and the best time to hunt for autographs is from the time fans can enter the park until about 15 minutes before the game begins. It’s simply a matter of standing in the front row of seats along either base line or gathering around either dugout. (The Mudcats use the dugout on the third base side.) On select days, the Mudcats have a signing booth/table in the concourse, where one or more players will sign pregame autographs for a set duration. Look for signage upon your arrival or follow the team on social media to learn more.