The Toledo Mud Hens is one of the most famous minor league teams in the US, thanks to the informal sponsorship of the character Cpl. Klinger in the hit TV show, M*A*S*H. You can see them play at their fantastic new stadium, which opened in 2002. That same year, they left the old "Ned Skeldon Stadium" in Maumee, Ohio, which was the second home of the Hens. Their original stadium was at Bay View Park, which lots of mud hens (American Coots) used to frequent.



The Mud Hens is the International League farm team for the Detroit Tigers, and the two mascots are around at most home games to entertain the fans: "Muddy" (the original), and his female companion "Muddonna." When we were at the park, it was "Autograph Sunday", and two players came out in front of the Swamp Shop (the Mud Hens' gift shop) to signed autographs from 5:45-6:15. Unfortunately, the Hens lost the night we were there, but it was a beautiful night for a baseball game! It's also inexpensive evening at less then $10/ticket, and Fifth Third Field is a terrific place to take friends and family, especially if you have kids.

