I spent Father’s Day watching the Chicago Dogs. Despite a loss, it was a fun-filled day.

Starting play in 2018, the Dogs quickly gained popularity, capturing the attention of Chicago sports fans. A member of the American Association of Professional Baseball, an official Partner League of Major League Baseball, the Dogs play in the beautiful, 6,300-seat Impact Field. Located adjacent to an expressway and just east of Chicago O’Hare International Airport, the stadium offers interesting views as the backdrop.

As always, I arrived early, wanting to soak in as much of the experience as possible. On Sundays the Dogs allow fans on the field to play catch. I used that time to talk to players, manager Jeff Isom, in his first season with the Dogs and coach Stu Cliburn, a longtime favorite from his time in the Major Leagues in my baseball youth.

Jeff Isom

Stu Cliburn

Narciso Crook

There’s a fun rivalry between mascots Squeeze and Ketchup, anthropomorphic condiment bottles. Squeeze usually gets the better of it because Chicagoans look with disdain at ketchup on dogs. For a special Father’s Day treat, Squeeze was accompanied by Papa Squeeze.

I made my way to the Stadium Club, a beautiful skybox section. Featuring a few tables with a variety of food options, including an amazing dessert table replenished frequently and a bar, the Stadium Club is a great place to watch the game. I alternated between my outdoor seat and a window seat in the Stadium Club.

The games feature plenty of other on-field fun led by in-game host Hannah Arbitman. The mascots interacted with fans all afternoon. Ketchup would often get playfully booed because everyone knows ketchup does not belong on a Chicago dog.

The Dogs jumped to a quick 2–0 lead but ultimately lost 11–3 to area-rival Kane County. Currently in fourth place, the Dogs are 16–18, but there’s a lot of baseball left to be played. The regular season ends Sept. 2, but the hope is for another appearance in the playoffs.

“Every day Is Fan Appreciation Day,” according to the Dogs. They certainly live up to that motto.

— John Wroblewski, online writer