Can I Pet Your Dog? Part 2: Take your dog to the (ball) park

Play ball! Baseball stadiums across the US welcome canines

Truist Field, home to the Charlotte Knights Triple A baseball team, hosts Bark at the Park nights throughout the season for fans to bring their dogs. Photo by Carrie Dow.

Baseball is a sport with many traditions: the seventh inning stretch, ceremonial first pitches, unique uniforms. Fan traditions include enjoying a ballpark hot dog and a beverage on a sunny summer afternoon. However, a new tradition has crept into the nation’s ball parks and it’s one that What’s Pawsitive can get on board with: Welcoming dogs to baseball games.

Most baseball teams from the minor to major leagues offer at least one or several games where fans are welcome to bring their canine companions. These games are often called Bark at the Park nights and they are specially designated games where dogs are invited.

Parade Magazine reported at the beginning of the 2025 season that at least 14 Major League Baseball teams were offering dog-friendly games this season and many more minor leagues teams do the same. To see what the experience is like, What’s Pawsitive took friendly dog Bijou to see the Charlotte Knights play at Truist Field.

The Charlotte Knights are the Triple A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox and play in Truist Field, which opened in 2014. The team has hosted Bark at the Park for several years. Games where dogs are welcome are listed on the team’s website in advance and dogs enter the park free with the purchase of their human’s ticket. Dogs must be leashed at all times on a leash that is no longer than six feet (extendable leashes not welcome).

Bijou is greeted by Homer the Dragon, the Charlotte Knights’ mascot. Photo by Carrie Dow.

During these dog-friendly games, the stadium also hosts dog- and pet-centric business tables where fans can learn about a variety of businesses like dog trainers, pet hotels, and locally made dog treats. The stadium has water bowls and buckets filled with water through the stadium, which are especially welcome on a hot summer day. Dogs are allowed in most of the stadium’s open/outdoor areas. They are not allowed in stadium boxes or suites or in the Home Run Club. Dogs are allowed in the team store if you’d like to shop for a Knights bandana or collar. Dogs are welcome throughout the main concourse and walking dogs around the concourse was something most dog owners did to keep their dogs entertained.

Upon arriving inside the stadium Bijou and I were greeted by Knights staff looking for volunteers for a pre-game trivia contest. Bijou and I participated in an on-camera contest where I had to guess if a dog breed name shown on the Jumbotron was real breed or made up. The first name was Xoloitzcuintle. Since I was unfamiliar with that name, I said no, but I was wrong. Xoloitzcuintle is a hairless dog breed from Mexico. The next name was Zarf. I again said no, and this time was correct. According to the emcee, a zarf is the carboard wrap that goes around hot coffee cups. The next and final word was Komondor, which I knew was a dog breed, so I said yes. Since I got two out of three answers correct, I received a bobblehead for a prize. Bijou got to be pictured on the Jumbotron.

People and their dogs enjoying a summer evening at a Charlotte Knights baseball game. Photo by Carrie Dow.

We then had a surprise visit by the Charlotte Knights’ mascot, Homer the Dragon. I was worried Bijou would freak out at the sight of this giant fuzzy green thing (we once had a dog that was afraid of mascot costumes), however, Bijou was more curious and enjoyed the attention. Homer gave her head pats and they even booped noses.

Before taking our seats, we walked a lap around the stadium where we visited with some of the business vendors. One was a dog trainer who had bagged treats for the dogs. Another was a local pet hotel. Then we walked along the left side outfield where we met volunteers from Gilmore Dog Rescue and Realtors Rescuing Dogs/Castello Realtors. They had several rescue dogs available for adoption. One of the organization’s volunteers told me they attend every Bark at the Park with these adoptable dogs and that they had a streak going of at least one dog getting adopted at every game this year. And the dogs who don’t get adopted still get valuable time out in the community where they can meet other people and dogs, showing off their personalities and increasing their chances of getting adopted in the future.

Many pet parents walked their dogs around the concourse for exercise. Photo by Carrie Dow.

Around the outfield is a kids play area where they had a pitching booth where kids could throw baseballs and get them radar measured for speed. Bijou didn’t like the sound of the balls hitting the backboard and got agitated every time a kid pitched so we quickly passed that venue. Behind the outfield stands, there is a grassy hill where families with kids and dogs were sitting or playing. I walked Bijou to a quiet corner near the fence so she could pee. Since she drank a lot of water at the water station o this hot evening, I knew she had to go.

Dogs are allowed in most places around the ballpark including the team store. Exceptions were the suites and the Home Rum Club. Photo by Carrie Dow.

The outfield seats were mostly empty, so Bijou and I sat in the stands for a bit to watch the Knights hit against the Rochester Red Wings. After the inning was up, Bijou and I then finished our concourse lap. Before leaving the outfield area, however, I saw a man and woman with a grey terrier mix. Bijou and the dog were sniffing each other and wagging their tails so I asked the couple why they brought their dog to the game.

The gentleman said they bring their dog Rhodie to every Bark at the Park event. The man said he shared season tickets with a friend and when they divvied up their tickets, he took the Bark at the Park nights so he could bring Rhodie. He also said he started bringing Rodie last year as a puppy. The man added that he thought it was important to have events like this so he could socialize Rhodie to help him gain confidence and have unique interactions with new people and dogs. He also said that walking around the stadium and all the stimulation he gets from the event tires him out, which is good for a young energetic pup like Rhodie.

As the sun went down and the evening cooled off, Bijou and I took our seats along the first base line at the bottom of the fifth inning. We were just in time to see Knights player Tim Elko hit a home run.

After the eighth inning the Knights were down 10 to 4 (unfortunately, the final score was 13-8 Red Wings) so Bijou and I decided to call it a night and went home. After all the excitement of meeting new dogs and people and encountering new sights, sounds, and smells, she fell asleep on the drive home.

Bark at the Park is fun for both people and their dogs by providing socialization and exercise. Photo by Carrie Dow.

While each ballpark has its own rules and offerings during bark at the park games, I feel like Bijou’s experience is fairly typical of what dog parents can expect. Be honest about if your dog can handle loud noises and crowds and how well they behave on a leash, and if they can handle these things, they are ready for a baseball game. Dogs who are older and/or have arthritis might not be comfortable walking or sitting on a stadium’s concrete flooring, (there can also be a lot of stairs depending on where your seats are) and dogs who can’t handle the summer heat should probably stay home.

Pet parents should treat a baseball game like a visit to any city park – always keep the dog leashed and close to you. Ask other pet parents before allowing dogs to meet each other, and make sure young children ask you first before petting your dog. If you like baseball and dogs, then consider adding a baseball game to your dog’s playdate calendar.

Check the website of your local baseball team to see if it’s offered in your city.