MINOR LEAGUE BASEBALL
For starters, the average price of a Major League Baseball ticket this season is about $27, according to The Team Marketing Report. By comparison, a ticket for a Triple-A game costs an average of $7.
For a family of four, the average price to attend a minor league game is $55. That includes tickets for two adults and two kids, hot dogs with drinks, a program and parking, according to the league. Imagine how much you'd save if you ate before the game.
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The relaxed intimacy is another reason to head to the minors.
"The fans are a lot closer to the field, and players seem much more accessible," said Steve Densa, a spokesman for the minor league.
Stadiums are usually smaller versions of big league venues, with Triple-A stadiums having a seating capacity of between 5,000 and 10,000. A major league stadium could seat five times that amount.
There's usually a greater sense of fan involvement, too. For instance, local advertisers might run promotions, such as a free car wash for the dirtiest car in the parking lot.
As for the level of play in the minors, it varies greatly depending on the league. The highest level, Triple-A (or Class AAA), isn't dramatically different from the majors. It's not unusual to see big leaguers who are nursing injuries or up-and-coming players on their way to the majors.
Beneath the Class AA, and Class A leagues are the rookie leagues. Rookie league players are a lot less skilled, but tickets are even cheaper at around $5 on average — about what it costs for a hot dog at the new Yankee Stadium.
Two rookie leagues (the Arizona Summer and Gulf Coast leagues) even offer free admission to games.
To find a minor league game in your area, you can run a search on www.minorleaguebaseball.com.
