| For some reason a beer and a hot dog just taste | | | | get antsy or the sun gets too hot. There are venues |
| better at the ballpark. Arlington has the Texas | | | | for small or large gatherings, including a pool party |
| Rangers and Houston has the Astros, but Austin has | | | | area for rent. Imagine swimming in the hot Texas sun |
| its own baseball team just up the road in Round | | | | while watching a ballgame. |
| Rock. The Round Rock Express may be a minor | | | | The other exciting thing about minor league ball is |
| league team, but they've got big league appeal. To | | | | fans often get a chance to see Major League players |
| begin with, the team is owned by Major League Hall | | | | who are playing with the minor league team while |
| of Famer Nolan Ryan. | | | | rehabbing from injuries, etc. The Dell Diamond's all |
| Ryan and Houston businessman Don Sanders bought | | | | time highest attendance was a June night in 2006 |
| the Double AA team in 2000 and made the Dell | | | | when then Houston Astros Roger Clemens pitched |
| Diamond the new team's ballpark. With Ryan's son as | | | | the game. |
| president of the team, the Express has won | | | | Minor league baseball is a much more affordable sport |
| championships and broken Texas League attendance | | | | ticket than others. For example, fans can bring a |
| records over the years. In 2005 the Round Rock | | | | blanket and sit on the lawn above the outfield for $6. |
| Express, a Houston Astros affiliate, became a | | | | It's cheaper and closer than a day at Sea World or |
| Triple-A team. | | | | Six Flags, or even a Major League ballpark. |
| Minor League baseball, immortalized in movies like Bull | | | | Ballparks never lack for food, but the Dell Diamond |
| Durham, is all about the fans having fun. Regular | | | | offers more than its fair share of food named after |
| promotions include fireworks every Friday night, | | | | Nolan Ryan. Of course, there are ballpark favorites |
| discounted beverages on Thirsty Thursdays and Kids | | | | like hot dogs, beer and Dippin' Dots, but there is also |
| Days throughout the season with face painting, | | | | Hooters' wings and Margaritaville. All the party venues |
| games and inflatables. The give-away promotions | | | | offer catering services, from simple ballpark fare to |
| include Lance Berkman and Nolan Ryan Bobblehead | | | | wedding receptions. |
| nights, among others. | | | | As the school year comes to a close and long |
| The Dell Diamond is all about the fan experience, with | | | | summer days are full of possibilities for family fun, |
| the seats designed to get fans as close to the action | | | | get a Round Rock Express game on the calendar. It |
| as possible. In fact, the seats behind home plate are | | | | would make a pretty fun first date or a night out |
| closer to the batter than the pitcher's mound is. The | | | | with friends, too. |
| park itself is full of diversions, however, if the kids | | | | |