I be making my first trip to MMPUS for Opening day with one of my sons. I haven't been to a game since '93 in the Dome. Any advice for parking, batting practice, things to avoid etc. would be greatly appreciated.
I would like to get meet some of y'all if I get the chance.
We will be in section 313 row 1.
Parking isn't as much a hassle as it would seem. Once you get to downtown, just pick if you'd like to park close to the park (and pay higher rates) or a little further away and pay a little less. Because of the Toyota Center, the George R. Brown Convention center and this is also downtown, plenty of places to park. Having said that, one thing I will advise for Opening Day (and any future day game you may want to go to): get there early because you have to do more searching for parking. That is because the office workers downtown may already have some parking taken up and are still at work while you are trying to get to the park.
My advice, look towards the south side of the park for the parking you need (since no parking really exist in the north side of the park (only half-way houses and old warehouses). Look towards the area of the Toyota Center for the many, many, many areas to park for a minimal fee (5 to 10 dollars if I remember correctly, maybe 8 to 10).
If you get there early and want to eat somewhere with the kids (depending on their age and your inclination), go to The Park. It's a fancified mall with a food court that is slightly above the norm. I think they have a Ninfa's in there and a Charlie's Hamburgers and also a bar-b-que place (Demetris?). Good for kids and within a few blocks of the stadium. If your kids are a little older and you just want to hang out, you can go to the now overrated "The Bus" right by the park.
Good luck.