Your Most American Detour

BASEBALL, AMERICA'S FAVORITE PASTIME

There’s something deeply American about a summer baseball game: the hot dogs, the sunset over the stadium, the crowd cheering with absolutely no regard for personal volume control.

In Wichita, baseball is more than a sport. It’s part of the city’s culture, from modern minor league games downtown to vintage 1800s-era matches played the old-school way at Old Cowtown Museum. Whether you’re a lifelong baseball fan or just here for the snacks and fireworks, Wichita makes it easy to experience one of America’s most iconic traditions.

A Wind Surge player swings at a ball during a game at Equity Bank Park in Wichita.

Wichita Wind Surge at Equity Bank Park

Catch the Wichita Wind Surge downtown at Equity Bank Park, where affordable tickets, riverfront views and classic ballpark energy come together for one of the best summer nights in the city. Expect baseball, local food, themed promotions, fireworks nights and at least one person fully committed to wearing a foam finger.

Tickets: $9–$73

Game Times: Tuesday–Friday: 6:35 p.m.; Saturday: 4:05 p.m. & Sunday: 1:05 p.m.

Pro tip: Check the promotional schedule before your visit for fireworks nights, giveaways and themed events.

Baseball memorabilia sits on display at the new Wichita Baseball Museum inside Riverfront Stadium

Wichita Baseball Museum

Located inside Equity Bank Park, the Wichita Baseball Museum highlights the city’s long connection to America’s pastime through historic memorabilia, exhibits and stories from Wichita’s baseball history.

Admission is free and open to the public during Wind Surge games and Monday–Friday: 9 a.m.–5 p.m.

a man is dressed in vintage baseball gear to play a vintage baseball game at Old Cowtown Museum.

Cowtown Vintage Base Ball Club

Yes, they spell it “base ball” because they’re doing this the 1800s way.

The Cowtown Vintage Base Ball Club recreates historic games using old-fashioned rules, uniforms and equipment inside Old Cowtown Museum, giving visitors a chance to experience baseball the way early Kansans would have played it during Wichita’s cattle town era.

Games are typically played Saturdays and are included with Old Cowtown Museum admission.

Pro tip: It’s somehow both historically educational and unintentionally hilarious in the best possible way.

Larks Baseball Team at NBC World Series

NBC World Series and Baseball 'Round the Clock

Wichita’s baseball roots run deep, and nowhere is that more obvious than during the NBC World Series and Baseball ‘Round the Clock.

First held in Wichita in 1935, the NBC World Series is one of the country’s premier amateur baseball tournaments, bringing top collegiate and amateur teams from across the country to compete for a national championship each summer. Over nearly 90 years, future Major League stars including Satchel Paige, Albert Pujols, Barry Bonds and Roger Clemens have played in Wichita during the tournament.

Baseball ‘Round the Clock keeps the tradition going with 33 straight hours of baseball and fan experiences that turn Wichita into a summer destination for serious baseball fans and casual spectators alike.

Event details: July 23 through Aug. 1, with Baseball 'Round the Clock starting on July 25; championship game (Aug. 1) is played at Equity Bank Park; all other games are played at Eck Stadium on Wichita State University's campus

Pro tip: Even if you don’t know every rule of baseball, the atmosphere alone is worth the visit.

From modern stadium lights to vintage base ball played in the dirt, Wichita proves America’s favorite pastime still hits different here. Want even more baseball inspiration? Check out our blog on baseball experiences in Wichita before planning your visit.