Today’s Forecast

35º | Cloudy | 15% chance of sleet | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 4:39 p.m.

an aerial view of a baseball field and stadium

The Duck Pond was built in 1982. | Photo provided by the Madison Mallards

Get ready to play ball, Madison. The Madison Mallards season kicks off on Monday, May 29 at 4:05 p.m. against the Wausau Woodchucks. Before you head to the ballpark, let’s take a deep dive into some of the Duck Pond’s exciting new features. (See what we did there?)

Stadium renovations

The Backyard (the grassy area located in left field) is an area where fans are invited to bring blankets + chairs to enjoy the game in a more relaxed environment compared to the busier grandstand. In this space, the center field fence has been trimmed down to four-feet high and adorned with drink rails to give fans a new, field-level perspective of a Mallards game.

Along with a fresh coat of paint and new flooring throughout the stadium, fans will also see a change when they visit The Courtyard. The area has been updated to speed up concession lines and allow for better flow throughout the space. Compared to its previous setup, the new courtyard layout will lead to less congestion and confusion about where lines start and stop for each stand. Bonus: Bathrooms throughout the stadium have also been renovated.

Camp Createability Sensory Space

This space was developed with Camp Createability to ensure everyone has a good time at a baseball game. Inside the space, there will be limited sound, coloring sheets, tents, hammocks, and so much more.

Revamped Kids Zone

Keeping the kids happy during a baseball game takes creativity. Luckily for parents, new inflatables and activities have been added to the Kids Zone to keep them occupied if they get restless before the seventh-inning stretch. Gates open one hour prior to the first pitch and stay open until the end of the game.

New concessions

Did we mention mini donuts are back on the menu? Find them, along with spicy cayenne donuts, at Dinger Donuts. Other yummy bites to try this summer, include:

Cheese Home Plate cheese curd dish
Rotating specialty brats flavors (Stoddard’s)
Honey Sesame Corndog (The Festival Foods Grill)

Thirsty? We suggest the Das Duck Boot, a 67-ounce boot glass shaped like a duck’s foot that can be purchased with beer, soda, or a root beer float. The boot will also be used as a container at our “Let’s Get Fried” stand to carry chicken wings, cheese curds, and fries.

Excited yet? See the full schedule and grab tickets (single game, season pass, and group options available).*

Plan your 9-inning vacation

Asked

Poll: What are you most excited about for the 2023 season?

A. Better amenities
B. Theme nights
C. Concessions
D. Games in general

Let us know

Events

Monday, May 22

Grief 101 | Monday, May 22 | 6:30-7:30 p.m. | Fitchburg Public Library, 5530 Lacy Rd., Fitchburg | Free | Agrace Grief Support Center will speak about common grief reactions, how grief shows up in our lives, and practical things you can do to support someone who is grieving.

Tuesday, May 23

Hippo Campus with Gus Dapperton | Tuesday, May 23 | 8 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $50-$100+ | Catch a live performance by this five-piece rock band based out of Minneapolis.
Delta Beer Lab Vinyl Night | Tuesday, May 23 | 5:30-7:30 p.m. | Delta Beer Lab, 167 E. Badger Rd., Fitchburg | Free | Bring your own record to add to the queue at this community listening party.

Wednesday, May 24

An Image of an Angry Dog: Videos by Chloë Simmons | Wednesday, May 24 | 6:30 p.m. | Arts + Lit Lab, 111 S. Livingston St., Madison | $5 | Simmons constructs stream-of-consciousness narratives, poems, and visuals that are often uncomfortable, vulnerable, and exposed.
DCSC Job Fair | Wednesday, May 24 | 4:30-6 p.m. | Monona Grove District Office, 5301 Monona Dr., Monona | Free | Students are advised to bring several copies of their resume to the event.

Thursday, May 25

Logic | Thursday, May 25 | 8 p.m. | The Sylvee, 25 S. Livingston St., Madison | $49.50 | See the rapper on his “The College Park” tour with special guest Juicy J.
Music Bingo | Thursday, May 25 | 6:30-8:30 p.m. | Starkweather Brewing Company, 2439 Atwood Ave., Madison | Free | Your bingo card will song titles instead of numbers that you’ll check off while you jam out to a wide variety of themed playlists.

Friday, May 26

Brat Fest | Friday, May 26-Sunday, May 28 | Times vary | Alliant Energy Center | Cost of purchase | Enjoy three days of free music, fantastic food, and family-friendly fun.

Events calendar here

Click here to have your event featured.

News Notes

Transit

On Sunday, June 11, Madison Metro will launch brand new routes, maps, and schedules based on the Metro Transit Network Redesign process. Over 50 Ride Guide staff members will be available throughout the city to provide guidance during the adjustment period.

Community

Dane County officials announced a $1.5 million investment in The River Food Pantry. South Central Wisconsin’s busiest food pantry provided 200,000+ acts of service in the last year. The investment will go toward building a larger facility. (Madison.com)
Friends of the Madison Public Library is hosting a Big Book Sale on Saturday, June 3. The sale benefits Madison Public Libraries and will include a bag sale, the Miramar food cart, and ample parking.

Closing

Yue-Wah Oriental Foods is closing. Owner Kien Ma said he’s ready to retire after working seven days a week for the past 40 years at the South Side grocery store. Doors will officially close in August. (Madison.com)

Ranked

Madison ranks No. 11 on a “Best Places to Live in the US” list. Quality of life, job market, and overall desire to live here were all contributing factors to our high ranking. Another Wisconsin city took the No. 1 spot — check it out. (US News & World Report)

The Word

Galleta. Start using it in conversation in three weeks.*

Featured Deal

$25 concert tickets? Sign us up. Use code BDDS25 to snag a discounted rate for Bach Dancing & Dynamite Society’s upcoming concert, “Off the Cuff” (running June 9-25). Snag the deal.*

Sports

🔍 Join the hunt

Today marks 103 days until kickoff. | Photo by 608today

This Thursday, May 25 marks exactly 100 days until Badger football returns for the home opener on Saturday, September 2 against Buffalo. In anticipation of the upcoming season, the Badgers are hosting a statewide “100 Days to Kickoff Scavenger Hunt.”

Mini Badger football helmets will be hidden all around Dane County as well as in the following cities:

Hudson
Wausau
Oshkosh
Waukesha
Mineral Point
Burlington

The scavenger hunt will take place from 6-8 a.m. on Wednesday, May 25. Clues for where to look in each area will be announced at 6 a.m. on Wednesday, and each mini helmet will have an attached code for fans to scan to redeem their prize (think: game tickets, Badger swag, gift cards.) Limit of one prize per person.

Fans from all around the world can participate via social media using #100DaysUW for a chance to win prizes as well. Last year’s scavenger hunt resulted in nearly 500 winners.

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Ally

From the editor

It’s a short work week for me as I’ll be heading out of town for a long Memorial Day weekend in the Redwoods. While sunsets over Lake Mendota are nice, I’m looking forward to sunsets over the Pacific Ocean.

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