T-Bones, Schlitterbahn join Pokemon Go craze

Two area attractions are jumping into the Pokemon Go craze.

The Kansas City T-Bones have announced that they will be holding a Pokemon Go day on Saturday, July 23, at CommunityAmerica Ballpark in Kansas City, Kan.

The gates will be open from noon to 3 p.m. for anyone who wants to play or download the Pokemon Go app.

Participants will pay $5 to enter CommunityAmerica Ballpark at Gate A — a Poke Stop — and search the stadium for Pokemon. There will be Lure Modules in the stadium, as well. Prizes will be awarded to the three people who collect the most Pokemon. The three prizes: a suite at an upcoming T-Bones game, a bat autographed by Frank White, the chance to throw a first pitch at an upcoming T-Bones game.

The T-Bones will open the Shock Top Bar, and concessions will be available, too. Besides the ability to find Pokemon in the stadium, the $5 includes a general admission ticket to that night’s 7:05 game against Winnipeg.

“Pokemon Go is taking the world by storm, including sports stadiums,” said Morgan Kolenda, the T-Bones’ director of promotions and marketing. “The more populated the area, the more Pokemon characters can be found and caught. It’s a fun game that helps users get up, walk around, and search for more. Plus, it’s just $5 for a ticket to Saturday night’s game, and we’ve got postgame fireworks that night! So it’s really a great deal and a whole lot of fun…well done.”

The point of Pokemon Go is to collect the most Pokemon. A Poke Stop is designed to help a player earn more Poke Balls in order to capture a Pokemon. The stop will also allow an egg to appear, which is a new character that has yet to be earned. Along with Poke Balls and an egg, when spinning the Poke Stop, players can earn potions to help heal their Pokemons in battle, and they can also earn an incense, which can be used to help surround a player with Pokemons for 30 minutes. Tickets are available at the Providence Medical Center Box Office at CommunityAmerica Ballpark.

Schlitterbahn, in the meantime, is holding PokeBahn lure parties.

According to a spokesman, visitors are invited to play Pokemon Go at the waterpark in Kansas City, Kan.

Visitors can even take a phone with a waterproof case with them while tubing at the park, the spokesman said.

The Kansas City, Kan., waterpark will hold PokeBahn lure parties on Wednesday and Sunday, from 3 to 6 p.m. Admission to the park is required for the event.