On April 5, the 2018 Minor League Baseball season officially begins. That’s excellent news for the residents of Central Texas because that means it’s time to head to the Dell Diamond to watch the Round Rock Express play ball. If this will be your first time at an Express game, here’s the lowdown.

Who Are the Round Rock Express?

Round Rock Express photo by Shutterstock

The Round Rock Express is a Minor League Baseball team in the Pacific Coast League, which includes teams from the western, midwestern, and southeastern US. The Round Rock Express earned a Triple-A class distinction, which represents the highest level of play in the Minor League (just one grade below the Major Leagues). The Round Rock Express began its run in 2003 and soon became a Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. In 2011, they switched their affiliation to the Texas Rangers, a move that resulted in a decrease in ticket sales by Houston-area fans. Austin fans, however, remain enthusiastic about The Express, a team famous for impressive alumni like Roger Clemens, Roy Oswalt, and Hunter Pence.

How To Score Tickets

Photo courtesy of Marty Bonner

Individual-game tickets can be purchased online from opening day on April 5 through Aug. 30. Tickets for lawn seats surrounding the outfield run $7 each, seats on the right-field “Home Run Porch” are $10, and reserved infield seats are $14-16.

If you want to make Dell Diamond visits a regular spring and summer activity, The Round Rock Express offers several season memberships. A full season pass costs $630-$840, but if that’s a little steep, the Express also features Family Passes for $300 (including six tickets for all Monday-Thursday games), Fireworks Passes for $220-352 (a partial-season membership including admission to 22 games), and Flex Passes for $120 entitling you to 10 tickets and giving you the choice of using them all for one game or spreading them out among different games.

What to Eat and Drink in the Stadium

In addition to the typical peanuts and Cracker Jacks, Dell Diamond features a selection of restaurant storefronts where fans can enjoy a heartier meal. Highlights include the American bar bites at Coop & Kennel Pub — particularly their signature item, the Grilled Cheese Hot Dog — massive carnitas nacho platters from Rojo’s Southwestern Hideaway, and artisanal burgers loaded with blue cheese, applewood bacon, and roasted jalapenos from 34 Chophouse.

Those who want to enjoy a beer while watching the game are in luck as craft and domestic beers are available at the stadium restaurants and in the ballpark stands. On Thursdays, Dell Diamond offers a special, pricing regular domestic drafts at $4, large domestic drafts at $5, and craft brews at $8.

Where to Go After the Game 

Photo courtesy of Salt Lick

If you’d rather save your dining and drinking for after the game, the Round Rock area surrounding the stadium contains plenty of venues for a bite and a brew.

Barbecue aficionados will love Salt Lick, an offshoot of the much-lauded Driftwood smoke joint. The Round Rock location features a charming outdoor patio and the same brisket and house-made sausages that made the original a legend.

A quick 15-minute drive from Dell Diamond, you’ll find Fire & Ice Pizza Bar, a laid-back spot specializing in thin-crust pizzas with locally-sourced ingredients and creative signature pies like The Godfather (alfredo sauce, spinach, chicken, bacon, parmesan, fresh basil), The Kickin’ Chicken (chicken, house hot sauce, onion, bacon, olive oil, ranch sauce), and The Big Kahuna (red sauce, smoked ham, bacon, pineapple, parmesan, basil). 

For Texan comfort food made from seasonal produce and served in a cheerful, casual environment, head to Greenhouse Craft Food, just a 10-minute drive from the stadium. This counter-service restaurant serves locally beloved sandwiches like the Texas Beef Dip (roasted eye of round, giardiniera, sharp cheddar, and horseradish aioli, all loaded onto a sourdough roll and dunked in jus), flavorful homemade soups like the cheesy Poblano Gouda and a Texas-style red chili made with Wagyu beef, and shareable snacks like chips and green chile queso and pork ribs in whiskey sarsaparilla sauce.