A night at a minor league ballpark is one of the great low-cost pleasures of an American summer, and the Myrtle Beach Pelicans deliver it a few steps from Broadway at the Beach. The team is the Low-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and plays in the South Division of the Carolina League, with rivals including the Charleston RiverDogs, Columbia Fireflies and Augusta GreenJackets. The club has won four league championships, the most recent in 2016, and Baseball America has named the stadium the best in the league. Pelicans Ballpark has been through a major renovation that added seating throughout, a press box, updated suites, new video boards and a player clubhouse that doubles as an event space. The park offers a range of seating, from luxury suites to a beach-themed area, a rally deck with high-top tables, a craft beer grille, a pavilion and family zones with playgrounds and inflatables. The season runs from mid-April to early September, with more than sixty home games, and each night has a theme. In the most recent season, Tuesday had taco specials, Wednesday was dog-friendly, Thursday offered half-price drinks early, Friday ended with fireworks and Sunday opened the field for a pregame catch. This is a seasonal attraction: the team does not play from autumn through winter.
Why go
The game itself is only part of it. Minor league baseball is paced for conversation, with between-inning contests, a mascot and a relaxed crowd, so it suits families with children who cannot sit through a long sporting event. Kids twelve and under can collect autographs before home games from Tuesday to Saturday and, after fireworks nights, run the bases weather permitting.
Players are young prospects, so you may be watching future major leaguers, which gives the evening a small thrill for baseball fans, and the stadium is compact enough that every seat feels close to the action.
Practical details
The ballpark is across from Broadway at the Beach, not far from downtown Myrtle Beach. Free parking opens two hours before first pitch and gates open one hour before. The ballpark is cashless, so bring a card or mobile payment. Groups of fifteen or more should book ahead to sit together and get discounted food packages. Military members and first responders get a discount with ID.
A sensory bag program is available for fans who need it. If rain stops a game early, your ticket can generally be exchanged for a future home game, depending on availability, and a game counts as complete after a set number of innings. Check the schedule before you plan, because the season is April to early September.
How it fits
A Friday fireworks game combined with dinner at Broadway at the Beach is one of the best-value family evenings in town, and a Wednesday dog-friendly game is a rare chance to bring your pet. Because the season is seasonal, anyone visiting between autumn and early spring will not find a game, so treat this as a summer plan and book ahead for holiday weekends. The team's website carries the schedule, promotions and ticket sales, and the schedule can change from year to year.
What to expect
The experience
A Low-A minor league baseball game at Pelicans Ballpark, across from Broadway at the Beach, with weekly promotions, family zones and post-game fireworks on Fridays.
Best time
April to early September only; Friday for fireworks, Wednesday for dog-friendly games.
How long
About three hours for a game.
Tips
Gates open one hour and free parking two hours before first pitch. The ballpark is cashless. Groups of fifteen or more should book ahead. There are no games from autumn to spring.
Quick picks
- Best for
- A relaxed, low-cost summer evening with baseball and fireworks.
- Families
- Excellent: playgrounds, autographs, base-running and fireworks.
- Couples
- A casual date with ballpark food and a beer.
- Pair with
- Dinner at Broadway at the Beach.
- Time needed
- About three hours.
Good questions
When is the baseball season?+
From mid-April to early September, with more than sixty home games. There are no games in autumn or winter.
Who do the Pelicans play for?+
They are the Low-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs and play in the South Division of the Carolina League.
Where is the ballpark?+
Pelicans Ballpark is across from Broadway at the Beach, near downtown Myrtle Beach.
Is parking free?+
Yes. Free parking opens two hours before first pitch, and gates open one hour before.
Can I pay with cash?+
No. The ballpark is cashless, so use a card or mobile payment.
