Baseball Tour Company Offers Major League Experience for Fans.

INDIANAPOLIS -- Big League Tours, a baseball tours company launched in 2006, helps fans see baseball from a heightened perspective. Baseball lovers experiencing the affordable, weekend tours take in the games, enjoy personal stadium tours, sit in on batting practices and meet legendary baseball players.

The inspiration for these one-of-a-kind baseball trips to the nation's 30 baseball stadiums came when Big League Tours founder Glenn Dunlap was a boy, and his family life centered on the game of baseball.

"My dad and I used to talk about how awesome it would be to visit all of the Major League stadiums in our lifetime, but we were never able to do it," said Dunlap, who now has an eight-year old son who plays baseball and loves the sport as much as he does. "After looking around, I couldn't find a tour company focused on Major League Baseball that offered more than just a bus ride with tickets to the game, and was reasonably priced."

Big League Tours provides this complete, once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each baseball tour includes field-level tickets, hotel accommodations, ground transportation, some meals, an exclusive meet-and-greet with a former MLB player, and often stadium tours or practice sessions. In some cases, Big League Tours offers fans one last opportunity to visit historic baseball stadiums, such as Yankee Stadium or Shea Stadium, before newer stadiums are built in their place. Per-person prices range from $500 to $1000, making these unique baseball tours an affordable option. Big League Tours also arranges custom baseball tours upon request.

With four remaining baseball trips this season, fans still have a chance to see 17 Major League Baseball teams in action and visit eight of the nation's stadiums. Upcoming baseball trips include:

--  Chicago / Milwaukee: August 17-20 (three games)

        --  Kansas City Royals @ Chicago White Sox

        --  St. Louis Cardinals @ Chicago Cubs

        --  Houston Astros @ Milwaukee Brewers

        --  Meet former MLB player Ron Kittle

--  San Francisco / Oakland: August 26-29 (3 games)

        --  Cincinnati Reds @ San Francisco Giants

        --  Boston Red Sox @ Oakland Athletics

        --  Meet former MLB player Vida Blue

        --  Batting practice access at McAfee Stadium

        --  Stadium tour of AT&T Park

--  San Diego / Los Angeles / Anaheim: September 1-5 (four games)

        --  Cincinnati Reds @ San Diego Padres (two games)

        --  Colorado Rockies @ Los Angeles Dodgers

        --  Baltimore Orioles @ Los Angeles Angels

        --  Meet former MLB players Kurt Bevacqua and Jay Johnstone

        --  Stadium tour of PETCO Park

--  Chicago's Windy City Ball: September 7-10 (three games)

        --  Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs

        --  Cleveland Indians @ Chicago White Sox

        --  Meet former MLB player Ron Kittle

        --  Stadium tour of Wrigley Field

As host of the tours, one thing Dunlap says he enjoys the most is seeing generations of families together.

"There is something about the game of baseball that creates a great bonding experience for families and friends," said Dunlap. "Whether it's seeing the wonder in children's eyes when they get to meet a famous baseball player, a grandfather showing his grandchild how to keep score, or one generation telling baseball stories to a younger generation, these are experiences that will last a lifetime."

For the remainder of the 2006 season, fans can enjoy a five percent discount when they book an upcoming baseball tour with Big League Tours. Fans interested in reserving spots for one of the remaining baseball trips can call 866-619-1748, email [e-mail], or visit http://www.bigleaguetours.com for package information and applications. Fans can also sign up online for special offers and trip updates and be the first to receive information about next season's baseball trips.