When going to a baseball game, no matter which teams are playing, one thing is certain: fans will be dressed up in their team’s merchandise. 

A huge part of the baseball experience is having an outfit that represents your team, and whether you’re a die-hard fan or attending your first game, wearing team colors and jerseys can help you feel more emotionally connected to the crowd and improve the game experience. 

In the stadium and nearby, attendees can find various stores and stands selling official merchandise. Buying merch at the stadium is convenient as it avoids shipping fees, allows you to see all the options in person and even try on items to see if they fit. However, long lines can be an issue, especially if a popular player is playing that day as many people want to buy their jersey. 

One way to avoid long lines and have a faster shopping experience is to shop online. Both the Cubs and White Sox sell official merch on their website, and the MLB Shop sells items for all major league baseball teams. Jerseys with a specific player’s name and other baseball-related trinkets can be purchased here, and are made with quality material. However, a downside is that they do fall on the expensive side, with official jerseys ranging from $100 to $400. 

Outside the stadium, street vendors typically sell “bootleg” or fake merch from jerseys to T-shirts. These items are usually much more affordable than the official items but are of lower quality and stray from the design of official merch due to copyright and lower cost.

Baseball merch isn’t limited to clothes, and can range from figurines to sunglasses to mugs. When going to a game in a stadium, it’s important to look at the specific dates on the website, as some tickets can be purchased on days with giveaways. For example, on June 7, Division Champs Rope Hats are being given away at Rate Field to the first 15,000 fans who arrive, and on June 14, Cubs cowboy hats will be given to the first 10,000 fans at Wrigley Field. The Cubs and Sox have promotions like these at many games, adding extra value to purchased tickets and an even more memorable experience. 

Whether online shopping to skip the lines, buying a jersey in person to wear to the games, buying unofficial merch to save money, or winning a freebie at a giveaway, baseball merch is, for many fans, an important part of being involved in the game and team spirit.