By Jon Waterhouse

For the AJC

During a Braves home stand, the action at Turner Field doesn’t just play out on the diamond. There's other entertainment to be had. Before taking yourself and others out to the ball game, tuck away the following nuggets of information to help milk the most out of a trip to the Ted.

Get there early

According to the Braves staff, the biggest missed opportunity among fans is that you can arrive extremely early to each game. The gates swing open two and a half hours before the first pitch.

Pregame entertainment takes place in Fan Plaza, the open-air area just inside the gates. Interactivity is a running theme. Fans can get in the competitive spirit by participating in a variety of activities, including trivia, dance competitions, pie-eating contests and more.

Just before the game begins, the staff attempts to fuel the fans' enthusiasm with the Chop Rally. The Heavy Hitters drum line pounds away, the all-female Tomahawk Team tosses out T-shirts and other goodies, and Braves devotees are often encouraged to practice the tomahawk chop even before the first bat is swung.

Child's play

Turner Field takes advantage of baseball’s family-friendly qualities by amping up activities for kids. Tooner Field, a Cartoon Network-themed section located in Fan Plaza, epitomizes this.

Decked out with images of cartoon characters, it’s a free indoor-outdoor play area designed to look as if kids are stepping into a rainbow-hued animation cel. As guests scamper inside, a life-size version of Dexter from “Dexter’s Laboratory” sits inside a giant robot looming above. Kids climb inside a massive tree house, scoot down its slide, and dive into games.

The outdoor area boasts mini ballfields where aspiring players can join in a scaled-down pickup game.

Tooner Field typically is staffed with about 10 employees at any given time to keep an eye on things.

Located high above left field is Coca-Cola Sky Field. Sure, it requires some walking to get there, especially if you’re in lower-level seats. But a visit to Turner Field wouldn’t be complete without a pilgrimage. They’ve installed a base line that’s the actual length from home plate to first base. So kids can step into the grass and dirt, and get a taste of what’s it’s like to sprint out a single. Parents likely will be enamored with the killer views of both the field and the Atlanta skyline.

Kids aged 4 to 14 can run the actual bases after every Sunday home game. Due to the postgame concert on Oct. 3, that week’s base running takes place on Saturday, Oct. 2.

For the fans

Batting practice gets swinging about a half hour before the gates open. Early arrivals can catch some of that. Players warm up in the outfield and sometimes toss balls to the fans. And batting practice home runs can land in the stands, giving guests another shot at taking home a major league souvenir.

Fans with an itch to bat or pitch can head to Scout’s Alley, located to the right of Fan Plaza. That’s where kids and adults try their luck inside pitching and batting cages. Each costs one token to play, and tokens are $2 each.

The nearby Ivan Allen Jr. Braves Museum & Hall of Fame serves as a shrine to Braves history, with more than 600 artifacts, including the glistening World Series trophy. While checking out the memorabilia, visitors can step inside a replica dugout and an actual train car, which illustrates the back-in-the-day ball player travel experience. Admission is one token ($2).

Although Alumni Weekend, featuring former Braves, took place earlier in the summer, longtime fans can cross bats with former stars before every Sunday home game. Sid Bream, Gaylord Perry and Charlie O’Brien will be signing free autographs before the game on Aug. 8.

Don't-miss events

It’s a rarity witnessing a player’s jersey being retired. On Aug. 6, the Braves will be immortalizing famed thrower Tom Glavine, who will be there as the organization tips its cap to him with a special ceremony.

Those who catch Braves games at home with their canine companion nestled next to them can bring the pooch to the park on Aug. 29 for this season’s second Bark in the Park event. Fans must pre-register online (www.braves.com/bark). Tickets are $25 and include admission for both the dog and its owner. Coca-Cola Sky Field becomes a doggie playground with wading pools, veterinary services and lots of spots where pups can take a drink.

The postgame concert is a Braves tradition. After presenting the Beach Boys on Memorial Day, Turner Field will play host to country songstress Sara Evans on Aug. 7. Montgomery Gentry helps bolster patriotism on Sept. 11. The recently announced REO Speedwagon concert takes place Oct. 3, wrapping up Fan Appreciation Weekend and the Braves’ regular home season.

The Braves’ Band of the Year Competition continues on select Saturdays through Sept. 11. Local bands, including Life & Limb (July 17), Simple Alliance (Aug. 7) and After Edmund (Aug. 28), compete for a free suite at the final home game of 2010.

The fireworks keep popping after every Friday home game with Publix Friday Night Fireworks. And fans can catch smaller bursts each game every time a Braves player hits a home run or a Braves pitcher gets a strikeout.

Check the Web site for the Braves' schedule. $1-$78. Turner Field, 755 Hank Aaron Drive, Atlanta. 1-800-745-3000, www.braves.com.