Gift the Akron RubberDucks

In nearly 21 years on earth, buying a Father’s Day gift has always been hard for me. In fact, gift giving has never been my strong suit in general. I struggle to know what someone will like and what they will enjoy. Luckily, this year, the Akron RubberDucks minor league team has me covered.

The week after Father’s Day, the Ducks have games all week, including two games ending with firework displays. Who doesn't enjoy that as a family fun finale?

The Akron RubberDucks is the Double-A affiliate of the Cleveland Guardians. Since 1997, the team has played in downtown Akron’s Canal Park.

According to Austin Stevens, Manager of Promotions and Community Relations for the Akron RubberDucks, baseball is a fantastic gift for dads.

“You can bring your kids, family and friends, because these games are for everyone,” he said. It’s not even important to know the roster or the rules of the game because the staff works hard to make each one an experience all attendees will remember. “Our whole thing is to make a great experience,” Stevens said.

Dads and their families will make great memories at a game. “Spend time with the people you love and want to spend time with, and there’s always something going on to make it memorable,” he said.

Between innings, Akron RubberDucks fans can enjoy videos, competitions, t-shirt cannons, mascot races, contests, giveaways and more.

The Ducks mission is to offer “Affordable Family Fun,” and they follow through with that promise at every game during their summer-long season with ticket prices that make the games accessible to all and concessions that everyone can enjoy.

If dad isn’t already a baseball fan, these tickets might still be a fun Father’s Day Gift. “Many people have never been to a Ducks game before,” Stevens said, “and seeing someone watch their first game ever is really fun.” The RubberDucks also make certificates for everyone who is attending their first game to make sure the person always remembers that first experience.

For many fans, one of the best parts about going to a game is the park’s amazing concessions. They have chicken fingers, burgers, steaks, and a variety of other options throughout the park.

One fun treat is the full-sized baseball helmet packed with 20 (or so) scoops of two ice cream flavors, whipped cream, and a cherry. It costs around $20 to share (we don’t recommend eating it all by yourself) and makes for a great photo opp. 

Everyone always says baseball is America's favorite pastime, and it is pretty easy to see why.  This sport has such a rich history and is rather easy to follow for fans of all ages. When asked if a game is a good way to hang out with family, Austin said this, “Baseball is a slower pass game, so it's a great place for families and friends to hangout and catch up on each others lives.”

Whether your dad is a die-hard fan or heading to his first game, there’s a range of gift sizes and investments.

For the dad who loves the Ducks already, season tickets are surprisingly affordable. For about 70 home games, a fan's investment ranges from $650-$850. This price is hard to beat when you consider each game is only $9 to $12 dollars.

For the dad who likes to go but isn’t going to attend all 70 games, there are flex plans. With a flex plan, you prepay for 10, 20 or 30 games for the year. These are a bit more affordable, ranging from $130 to $385 dollars per ticket.

If you’re just looking for one single experience for dad, you can grab single game tickets for you and your family, which start at $5 and go all the way up to $28 for seats in “Homerville.”

To learn more about ticketing options at the Akron RubberDucks, visit their ticketing page.

If dad already has his season tickets, the ballpark also has a pro shop that has all the Ducks merchandise you could possibly want such as hats, sweatshirts, and t-shirts. The merch has throwback items from when the team was called Akron Aeros for the dads who have been long-time fans. Akron RubberDucks became the team name in 2013, but lots of fans still love Orbit and the Aeros branding.

The shop has so many t-shirt options, it will be hard to choose just one. There are also a variety of other items including toys, accessories, bubble machines and authentic Rubber Ducks jerseys for the serious fan.

Going to a Ducks game is a great way to spend time with your dad, and lots of tickets are still available, so be sure to purchase yours soon.

The week after Father’s Day, there will be six games offering lots of opportunities to watch the Ducks in action.

Quality time is always so much more precious than any material item you could buy, and the Ducks offer a fun place to make lasting memories with dad and the whole family.