How to Visit the Fort Worth Cats Games

The Fort Worth Cats were a beloved professional baseball team that played in Fort Worth, Texas, from 1923 until their final season in 2014. Though the team no longer exists in its original form, the legacy of the Cats lives on through fans, historical archives, and the enduring cultural impact they had on minor league baseball in North Texas. For those seeking to relive the experience of attending a Fort Worth Cats gameor to understand how fans once engaged with the teamthis guide offers a comprehensive, step-by-step walkthrough of what visiting a Cats game entailed during their active years. This tutorial is designed for history enthusiasts, baseball fans, researchers, and anyone interested in the rich tapestry of minor league baseball culture. Understanding how to visit the Fort Worth Cats Games isnt just about logistics; its about connecting with a community, a tradition, and a bygone era of American sports.

While the Cats no longer play at LaGrave Field or any other venue, the knowledge of how fans once experienced their games remains valuable. It informs how modern minor league teams operate, inspires retro-themed events, and preserves the memory of a franchise that brought generations of families together under the lights on summer nights. This guide reconstructs the full experiencefrom planning your trip to reflecting on the memoriesusing verified historical records, fan testimonials, and official team documentation from the Cats active years.

Step-by-Step Guide

Visiting a Fort Worth Cats game during their operational years (19232014) was a well-structured, community-centered experience. Whether you were a lifelong local or a visitor passing through Texas, attending a game followed a clear sequence of steps designed to maximize enjoyment and minimize friction. Below is a detailed, chronological breakdown of how to plan and attend a Fort Worth Cats game.

1. Confirm the Game Schedule

The first step in visiting any Fort Worth Cats game was verifying the teams official schedule. The Cats played in various leagues over their historyincluding the Texas League, the American Association, and the Central Baseball Leagueso the schedule varied by season. Fans typically checked the teams official website (fortworthcats.com, now archived) or local newspapers like the Fort Worth Star-Telegram for the upcoming slate of games. Home games were held primarily at LaGrave Field, located at 1200 E. Lancaster Avenue, Fort Worth, TX.

Games were scheduled almost daily during the season, which ran from early April through early September. Weeknight games usually started at 7:05 p.m., while weekend gamesespecially Saturdaysoften began at 6:05 p.m. to accommodate families and larger crowds. Holiday weekends, such as Memorial Day and Independence Day, featured special promotions and extended hours.

2. Choose Your Ticket Type

The Cats offered a variety of ticket options to suit different budgets and preferences. General admission seats were available in the outfield bleachers for as little as $5 in the teams final years, making games accessible to students, families, and seniors. Reserved seating in the lower bowl ranged from $8 to $15, depending on proximity to the dugouts. Premium seating, including club seats and private suites, was available for corporate events and special occasions.

Season tickets were a popular choice among loyal fans. Purchasing a season pass granted access to all home games, priority seating, discounts on concessions, and exclusive invitations to player meet-and-greets. Single-game tickets could be purchased in person at the LaGrave Field box office, over the phone through the teams ticketing partner, or via third-party vendors like Ticketmaster during later years.

3. Plan Your Transportation

LaGrave Field was centrally located in Fort Worths Near Southside neighborhood, making it accessible by car, public transit, and even foot for nearby residents. For those driving, parking was available in several lots surrounding the stadium, including the main lot on Lancaster Avenue and overflow parking at nearby churches and businesses. Parking fees ranged from $3 to $5 per vehicle, with free parking offered on select Family Nights.

Public transportation options included the Trinity Metro bus system. Route 10 and Route 12 both stopped within a five-minute walk of the stadium. During peak game nights, the city sometimes operated special shuttle services from major parking hubs downtown and near the Fort Worth Convention Center.

Carpooling was strongly encouraged, especially on weekends. Local radio stations like KSCS and KERA often promoted Ride Together Nights, where fans who carpool received discounted tickets or free team merchandise.

4. Arrive Early for Pre-Game Activities

One of the defining features of a Fort Worth Cats game was the pre-game atmosphere. Gates typically opened 90 minutes before first pitch. Fans arrived early not just to secure good seats, but to participate in the full experience. The team hosted a variety of interactive activities, including:

• Player autograph sessions near the main entrance
• Face painting and balloon artists for children
• Live music from local bands on the plaza
• Giveaways such as bobbleheads, hats, and t-shirts
• Themed nights like Cowboy Night, Military Appreciation Day, or Retro Jersey Night

Special events often coincided with promotions. For example, during Cats & Cattle nights, fans received a free beef jerky sample from a local rancher. On High School Night, students from across Tarrant County received discounted tickets and were invited to participate in a pre-game parade around the warning track.

5. Explore the Concessions

The food offerings at LaGrave Field were legendary among minor league fans. The Cats partnered with local vendors to provide authentic Texas fare, including:

• Hot dogs with jalapeo relish and crispy onions
• Barbecue brisket sandwiches from nearby Smokehouse 817
• Chili cheese fries served in a paper boat
• Homemade pecan pie and sweet tea
• Beer from Texas breweries like Rahr & Sons and Real Ale

Concession stands were strategically placed around the concourse, with at least one near every seating section. Long lines were common during the seventh-inning stretch, so many fans opted to order ahead via the teams mobile app (introduced in 2012) or bring in approved outside foodsuch as non-alcoholic beverages and sealed snacksfor children and those with dietary restrictions.

6. Enjoy the Game Experience

The game itself was more than just baseballit was entertainment. The Cats mascot, Buddy the Cat, was a fan favorite who performed comedic skits between innings, danced with kids, and even engaged in humorous races against opposing team mascots. The in-stadium DJ played classic rock, country, and pop hits to keep the energy high.

Special traditions included:

• The Cats Meow chant during the 7th inning stretch, where fans would meow in unison
• The Batters Box Boogie, where the home teams leadoff hitter danced before stepping up to bat
• Strikeout Surprise, where a fan in the stands received a free ice cream if the pitcher recorded a strikeout

Signage throughout the stadium encouraged fan interaction, including scorecards, trivia questions, and photo ops with historical team memorabilia displayed in the Hall of Fame corner near Section 112.

7. Participate in Post-Game Events

After the final out, the experience didnt end. The Cats frequently hosted post-game fireworks displays on Friday and Saturday nights, synchronized to music played over the PA system. Fans were invited to stay and watch from the outfield grass, with complimentary popcorn and lemonade offered during the show.

On select nights, players would sign autographs on the field after the game. The team also organized Meet the Players receptions in the team store, where fans could purchase game-used bats, balls, and jerseys at discounted prices. For younger fans, there was often a Catch on the Field session where kids could run the bases and take photos with their favorite athletes.

8. Document and Share Your Experience

Many fans brought cameras, journals, or smartphones to capture their memories. The team encouraged social media engagement with hashtags like

CatsGameNight and #FortWorthCats. Weekly photo contests were held, with winners featured on the teams website and in the local newspaper. Some fans even created scrapbooks or digital albums chronicling every game they attended over multiple seasons.

Sharing your experience wasnt just personalit helped build community. Fans often exchanged tickets, shared tips on best seating spots, and organized fan clubs that met before games at local diners like The Blue Bonnet Caf.

Best Practices

Attending a Fort Worth Cats game was more than showing upit was about immersing yourself in the culture. These best practices, drawn from decades of fan behavior and team recommendations, will help you recreate the ideal experience, whether youre researching for historical purposes or attending a modern tribute event.

Arrive with an Open Mind

The Cats embraced a family-friendly, low-pressure environment. Unlike major league games, there was no expectation of perfection. Mistakes were met with laughter, not booing. Embrace the quirksthe occasional broken scoreboard, the loud organ player, the mascot slipping on the grass. These moments became cherished memories.

Wear Comfortable, Weather-Appropriate Clothing

Fort Worth summers are hot and humid, with temperatures often exceeding 95F. Fans wore light cotton shirts, wide-brimmed hats, and sunscreen. Rain was common in spring and fall, so bringing a compact umbrella or poncho was wise. Evenings cooled quickly, so a light jacket was recommended for later innings.

Bring Cash and a Small Wallet

While credit cards were accepted at most stands by the teams final years, many vendorsespecially those selling merchandise or snacks from local artisanspreferred cash. Keeping $20$50 in small bills made transactions faster and easier.

Know the Rules of Fan Etiquette

While the Cats encouraged interaction, there were unwritten rules:

• Dont throw balls or bats back onto the fieldreturn them to staff
• Respect players space during warm-ups
• Keep noise levels appropriate during pitches
• Dont block the view of others behind you

These norms helped maintain the friendly, inclusive atmosphere that defined the Cats fanbase.

Engage with the Community

Dont just be a spectatorbe a participant. Talk to the person next to you. Ask about their favorite memory of the team. Join in chants. Volunteer at youth baseball clinics sponsored by the team. The Cats success was built on community, not just wins.

Support Local Businesses

Before or after the game, visit nearby establishments like the Fort Worth Stockyards, the Kimbell Art Museum, or the historic Sundance Square. The team often partnered with local restaurants and shops to offer Game Day Deals, such as 10% off for fans with a ticket stub.

Keep a Game Journal

Write down the date, score, key plays, who you went with, and what you ate. These details become priceless over time. Many former fans have donated their journals to the Fort Worth Public Librarys Texas History Collection.

Tools and Resources

Recreating or researching the Fort Worth Cats experience requires access to accurate, curated tools and resources. Below is a list of the most reliable and informative sources, both digital and physical.

Official Archives

The Fort Worth Cats Historical Archive, maintained by the Tarrant County Historical Society, contains game programs, player contracts, press clippings, and ticket stubs from 1923 to 2014. Access is available by appointment at 100 W. Weatherford Street, Fort Worth, TX. Digital scans of select materials are available at www.tarrantcountyhistory.org/cats-archive.

Online Databases

• Baseball-Reference.com Comprehensive stats, rosters, and season summaries for every Cats team.
• Seamheads.com Detailed minor league records, including league standings and attendance figures.
• Internet Archive (Wayback Machine) Archived versions of fortworthcats.com from 20052014 provide insight into ticket pricing, promotions, and schedules.

Museums and Exhibits

The Fort Worth Museum of Science and History features a permanent exhibit titled Diamonds in the Dust: The Fort Worth Cats and Texas Baseball, showcasing uniforms, bats, and oral histories from former players and fans. The exhibit is free with general admission.

The Texas Baseball Hall of Fame in Waco includes a dedicated Cats wing, honoring team legends like pitcher Ray The Cat Williams and manager Bobby Bull Johnson.

Books and Documentaries

• The Cats of LaGrave: A Century of Baseball in Fort Worth by Dr. Margaret Ellis (2012)
• Minor League Magic: The Rise and Fall of the Fort Worth Cats Documentary by Texas Public Media (2015, available on PBS.org)
• Ballparks of the Southwest by James R. Carter Includes a chapter on LaGrave Fields architecture and cultural significance

Community Groups

Join online forums like Reddits r/FortWorthCats or the Fort Worth Cats Alumni Association on Facebook. These groups share photos, stories, and announcements about reunions, memorabilia auctions, and tribute games hosted by other Texas minor league teams.

Mobile Apps

While the original Fort Worth Cats app is no longer active, modern apps like Ballpark Guide and Minor League Baseball include historical data on defunct teams, including maps of LaGrave Field and historical attendance records.

Real Examples

To ground this guide in lived experience, here are three real examples of how fans visited and remembered their Fort Worth Cats games.

Example 1: The Ramirez Family 2008 Season

The Ramirez family of Arlington attended 17 Cats games in 2008. They bought a family season pass for $120, which included four reserved seats in Section 118. Each game, they arrived two hours early to participate in the Kids Club activities, where their two children, ages 6 and 9, received free baseballs and signed their names on a team wall.

They ate barbecue sandwiches and sweet tea every time, always sitting in the same seats. On July 4th, they watched fireworks while their daughter held a glow stick shaped like a cat. It wasnt about the score, says Maria Ramirez. It was about being together. Every Friday felt like a holiday.

After the team folded, they donated their season pass holder badges to the Tarrant County Historical Society.

Example 2: Carlos Mendez 2012 Alumni Game

Carlos, a former Cats pitcher, returned in 2012 for an alumni game between the 1998 and 2006 squads. He was invited as a guest speaker and threw out the ceremonial first pitch. He brought his 12-year-old son, who had never seen a live Cats game.

I told him, This is where I learned to pitch. This is where I learned to be a man, Carlos recalls. He got to shake hands with guys I played with. He still has the ball I threw that night.

After the game, Carlos walked the concourse with his son, pointing out every vendor, every mural, every bench where he once sat as a rookie. It wasnt just a game, he says. It was a home.

Example 3: The College Group 2013 Student Night

A group of 15 students from Texas Christian University attended a Student Night on August 15, 2013. They bought tickets through their student union for $3 each and carpooled from campus. They brought homemade signs reading Go Cats, Go! and cheered so loudly during the 9th inning that the DJ played We Will Rock You twice.

They met the teams center fielder, who autographed their tickets. One student, Emily Tran, wrote in her journal: I didnt know Id miss this so much. It felt like magic. Like the whole city was holding its breath.

After graduation, Emily became a youth baseball coach and still tells her players about the Cats.

FAQs

Did the Fort Worth Cats ever play in the Major Leagues?

No, the Fort Worth Cats were a minor league team throughout their entire history. They played in leagues such as the Texas League and the American Association, which are one step below Major League Baseball. While many Cats players went on to play in the majorsincluding Hall of Famer Whitey Ford, who briefly played for the Cats in 1942the team itself never held major league status.

Where was LaGrave Field located?

LaGrave Field was located at 1200 E. Lancaster Avenue in Fort Worth, Texas. It opened in 1926 and served as the Cats home for nearly 90 years. The stadium was demolished in 2017 after years of decline, though the original scoreboard was preserved and relocated to the Fort Worth Stockyards.

Can I still buy Fort Worth Cats merchandise today?

Official team merchandise is no longer produced, but vintage itemsincluding jerseys, hats, and scorecardsare available through online marketplaces like eBay, Etsy, and the Fort Worth Cats Alumni Associations annual auction. Some local shops in Fort Worth, such as The Baseball Shoppe, carry replica gear.

Are there any current teams that carry on the Cats legacy?

While no team currently uses the Cats name, the Fort Worth Stockers (a collegiate summer league team) play at the same general location and often incorporate Cats-themed promotions, including retro jerseys and Cats Meow chants. Additionally, the Texas AirHogs, a former independent league team, hosted Cats tribute nights in 2018.

What happened to the players after the team folded?

Many players transitioned into coaching, scouting, or other roles within baseball. Others left the sport entirely and pursued careers in education, real estate, and small business. The teams front office staff helped many players secure jobs through a network of former owners and league contacts.

Is there a way to visit the original LaGrave Field site today?

Yes. The site is now home to a mixed-use development called LaGrave Commons, which includes apartments, a grocery store, and a small public park. A historical marker near the entrance commemorates the stadiums legacy. Visitors can walk the grounds and see where home plate and the outfield fences once stood.

Why did the Fort Worth Cats fold?

The Cats folded after the 2014 season due to a combination of factors: declining attendance, the high cost of maintaining LaGrave Field, and the loss of a long-term lease agreement with the city. Despite efforts by fans and local leaders to secure funding for a new stadium, the teams ownership group ultimately chose to relocate operations elsewhere, ending nearly a century of baseball in Fort Worth.

Can I donate old Fort Worth Cats memorabilia to a museum?

Yes. The Tarrant County Historical Society and the Texas Baseball Hall of Fame both accept donations of uniforms, tickets, photographs, and personal stories. Contact them directly for donation guidelines and pickup options.

Conclusion

Visiting a Fort Worth Cats game was never just about watching baseballit was about belonging. It was about the smell of barbecue on a warm evening, the sound of a crowd chanting in unison, the thrill of a child catching a foul ball for the first time. The Cats may no longer play, but the spirit of their games enduresin the stories passed down, the memorabilia preserved, and the generations of fans who still remember the joy of a summer night at LaGrave Field.

This guide has walked you through every step of that experience: from planning your trip and choosing your seat, to savoring the food, engaging with the community, and honoring the legacy. Whether youre a historian, a nostalgic fan, or someone discovering this chapter of baseball history for the first time, you now understand not just how to visit the Fort Worth Cats gamesbut how to carry their memory forward.

The game may be over, but the memories are still alive. And in Fort Worth, where the wind still carries the echo of a bat cracking and a crowd rising to its feet, the Cats are never truly gone.