TOLEDO, Ohio — There's no better way to spend America's birthday than at America's pastime: baseball.
Hundreds of people agreed with that sentiment as they spent their evening Tuesday watching the Toledo Mud Hens face off against the Louisville Bats at the Fifth Third Field.
Mud Hens fans dawned their festive red, white and blue for a night at the park.
"We saw the game was going on for the Fourth of July," couple Hunter and Olivia said. "We just wanted to celebrate with Toledo. We thought it was a good idea. We're excited for the fireworks after. Great weather and a good day for some baseball."
The couple said it was the perfect way to celebrate the holiday.
For many, baseball on the Fourth of July is a tradition just like hot dogs, the colors of the American flag and cornhole.
"We're enjoying it with a whole lot of family here," fan Christine Monday said. "We have a catered event upstairs. We have 25 people here to enjoy the game."
Families were at the game in abundance.
"We take the family and do this every year. It's a ritual," the Adams family said.
It's not just locals enjoying the game, either. Christine's family traveled across multiple states to celebrate the holiday in Toledo.
"Every year our family comes down here from the West Coast," Christine's family member, Ivy, said. "We want to celebrate the nation's holiday and his birthday at the same time. So it's like a double holiday for us."
After the Mud Hens trounced the Bats 7-3 and had the crowd roaring, many fans at the game said spending the Fourth of July at Fifth Third Field was the perfect way to end the night.