'Family-friendly' Progressive Field recognized

CLEVELAND -- The Indians have spent the past several years making changes to Progressive Field to cater to families and children. The team's ongoing efforts to create a kid-friendly experience have been recognized and rewarded.

Progressive Field received a strong review from ABC Travel Guides for Kids magazine, which named Cleveland its No. 1 travel destination for kids in 2015. Staff from the publication visited Cleveland in August and noted that "Progressive Field might be the most family-friendly ballpark in the country."

The Indians built their Kids Clubhouse area in 2012, providing a space for families to gather during the game for games, crafts and other activities. As part of the current stadium renovations, the team is upgrading the Kids Clubhouse -- located in the right-field corner of the ballpark -- to two floors with enhancements to the experience.

"I can't wait to see the two-story Kids Clubhouse," Indians team president Mark Shapiro said earlier this winter. "I think it's going to one of the most unique ones of its kind in all of professional sports."

Beyond the Kids Clubhouse, and some family-friendly food options (for example, fans are permitted to bring bottled water and juice boxes in soft-sided coolers), the team hosts KeyBank Kids Fun Days before each Sunday home game. Kids can also run the bases following every Sunday home game as part of a Cleveland Clinic Children's promotion.