BBTF's Newsblog Discussion :: America’s favorite family outings are increasingly out of reach

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Wednesday, July 20, 2022

America’s favorite family outings are increasingly out of reach

We began with 2022 data from the FanCostIndex, which compiles the average price of tickets, food, beverages, and parking across all 30 MLB teams. Then, we calculated the total cost of the items a family of four typically buys at the ballpark:

Four Tickets
Two Beers
Two Sodas
Four Hot dogs
Parking
At today’s ballgames, the total of these items varies regionally, from a whopping $324 (Boston Red Sox) down to $126 (Arizona Diamondbacks).

But across all teams, the average works out to $204.76 per family.

$204.76: average cost for a family of 4 to attend a MLB game, via @TheHustle: pic.twitter.com/w7ehdW6DqO
— Mark J. Burns (@markjburns88) July 20, 2022

RoyalsRetro (AG#1F) Posted: July 20, 2022 at 03:47 PM | 63 comment(s) Login to Bookmark
Tags: ticket prices

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1. Walt Davis Posted: July 20, 2022 at 04:42 PM (#6087513)

Shedd Aquarium in Chicago

Tix: 2 adult and 2 child (3-11): $140 if you live outside Chicago, $70 if you reside in Chicago (I assume that's city limits).

Parking $30

Food: I couldn't find an online menu (not that I tried hard). Reviews are consistently "overpriced", "expensive" along with "meh" to "disgusting." Let's assume this will be little/no cheaper than at Wrigley/Comiskey and I'm not sure if they serve beer.

So we're probably around $220+ (that's just $50 for food) if you live outside Chicago; $150 if you live in Chicago but presumably that's cuz you're paying taxes to support it. That would be much less expensive than the Cubs, basically the same cost as the Sox with the cost difference being tickets. The Cub tix they offer here are indeed not flash although not the worst and I don't think the Cubs offer kid ticket prices.

2. The Yankee Clapper Posted: July 20, 2022 at 04:48 PM (#6087514)

One can do a lot better than those costs by being flexible about seat location & opponent, taking advantage of promotions & discounts, eating outside the ballpark (or at home!), and using public transportation where available.

3. Pat Rapper's Delight (as quoted on MLB Network) Posted: July 20, 2022 at 04:51 PM (#6087515)

Curious if the inside-the-moat and other premium type seating skews the "average" ticket price much higher than the median and cheap-seat prices. Or if they simply average each tier of ticket price or weight them by seating capacity at each price tier.

4. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: July 20, 2022 at 05:09 PM (#6087518)

There's a ton of seats available on Stub Hub for next week's KC series for between $15 and $20 a ticket. Bring you own food and beverages and the whole family can get in for about $100.

5. Steve Parris, Je t'aime Posted: July 20, 2022 at 05:12 PM (#6087519)

I can't believe Mets fans have to pay twice as much for beer as Yankee fans.

6. Tom Nawrocki Posted: July 20, 2022 at 05:27 PM (#6087521)

Mets fans are more desperate for the sweet relief of intoxication.

7. Barry`s_Lazy_Boy Posted: July 20, 2022 at 05:30 PM (#6087522)

So I can buy a beer at a Rockies game for $3?

Paying for four people to do stuff isn't cheap.

8. oscar madisox Posted: July 20, 2022 at 05:31 PM (#6087523)

I went to a game at NYS a few weeks ago. Looked around for the cheapest drink I could find and found a concession stand with a sign that said Small Soda $3.

When I asked for a small soda, the clerk said they're all one size. You get the large souvenir cup for (I think) $8. No other choices. When I asked about the small advertised on the board, he said, "we don't sell that."

I walked away and drank from the water fountain.

9. TJ Posted: July 20, 2022 at 05:34 PM (#6087524)

From my beloved Detroit Tigers website: "Spend your Sundays with the whole family at Comerica Park this season with a Sunday Family Value Deal, and get four tickets, four hot dogs and four fountain drinks, starting at just $69 per package.

Packages include all 2022 Sunday home games and can be upgraded to a lower-level ticket for $99 per package."

Looking at the seats, the lower-level seating is behind the bullpens in left field. Not terrible for the money aside from the lack of shade at Comerica Park. Figure if you don't drink beer and use that money on parking you get the family in for $100-120 or so...

Now if you want to argue that is still too much to pay to watch the Tigers, well, I wouldn't disagree with you...

10. . . . . . . Posted: July 20, 2022 at 05:41 PM (#6087525)

I walked away and drank from the water fountain

you really showed her

11. Howie Menckel Posted: July 20, 2022 at 05:48 PM (#6087526)

The Yankees STILL only charge $5 for non-nosebleed seats for many April and May midweek home night games. But although the Yankees' site claims you also can get those seats for $5 for the Wednesday night, Sept. 21 game against Pittsburgh -- if you dig further, the cheapest seat listed is for $15.

12. Zach Posted: July 20, 2022 at 05:55 PM (#6087527)

"Spend your Sundays with the whole family at Comerica Park this season with a Sunday Family Value Deal, and get four tickets, four hot dogs and four fountain drinks, starting at just $69 per package.

Nice.

When I was in grad school, the Rockies had basically this same deal for $40. Not bad at all.

13. base ball chick Posted: July 20, 2022 at 06:03 PM (#6087528)

checked out astros tix prices and holy spit are they expensive even for mid week game. cheapest was 14 smackers vs philly and we are talking seriously CHEAP seat. i didn't even look at anything else.

you can still get free parking in a few spots if you know exactly where they are, don't have a problem with walking and can get to the spot between 6 pm and 6:05 PM. elcheapo garage parking is either 5 or 10 bucks but again you gotta walk.

clapper
i don't know nothin bout no new yawk or chicago or bahstin or west coast cities, but NOBODY is gonna go through taking public transportation in yewstin to go to a ball game. you got the kind of $$$ for tix, you ain't takin no bus or that stupid choochoo whoch don't run as late as ball games get out

14. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: July 20, 2022 at 06:33 PM (#6087532)

This is bullocks. I was in NY last week and my son procured 4 tickets for a Reds game that included a hot dog and beer for each person as part of the package and it was like $40 a seat; and the seats were quite good; down the 1st base line, middle tier type of thing.

The Reds hit 3 homers in a row but the game was ultimately spoiled by the Yankees sneaking home in the 10th.....

And we took the subway, as it's cheap and right next to the stadium.

15. Brian C Posted: July 20, 2022 at 07:46 PM (#6087538)

I took public transit to an Astros game once - was staying at a hotel up by the Galleria and took the bus downtown for an afternoon game. It worked out mostly OK, although it took longer to get back than I planned so I almost missed my brother's wedding. But "almost" only counts in hand grenades and horseshoes, as they say.

16. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: July 20, 2022 at 09:30 PM (#6087543)

And we took the subway, as it's cheap and right next to the stadium.

Although for four peoples it's not THAT much cheaper than parking. 8 rides at $2.75 is $22. You can find parking for most night games for $25.

17. Walks Clog Up the Bases Posted: July 20, 2022 at 09:35 PM (#6087544)

From my beloved Detroit Tigers website: "Spend your Sundays with the whole family at Comerica Park this season with a Sunday Family Value Deal, and get four tickets, four hot dogs and four fountain drinks, starting at just $69 per package.

As I lifelong Michigander, I read this and had flashbacks to George Blaha reading copy for these types of deals for Pistons games in the mid 90s.

18. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: July 20, 2022 at 09:40 PM (#6087545)

Although for four peoples it's not THAT much cheaper than parking. 8 rides at $2.75 is $22. You can find parking for most night games for $25.

You also save the cost of gas and tolls, depending on where you’re coming from.

19. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: July 20, 2022 at 10:12 PM (#6087547)

You also save the cost of gas and tolls, depending on where you’re coming from.

Sure, but if you're using much gas, or paying tolls, you probably have to take a commuter train on top of the subway. That gets pricey.

Coming from Westchester or Connecticut, driving is cheaper and faster, unless you live close to the Hudson line, can park at those stations for free, and are only 1 or 2 people.

20. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: July 20, 2022 at 10:49 PM (#6087549)

Just reminiscing here, but in the early 2000s my girlfriend and I used to take the BART from our Berkeley dorm to dollar Wednesday night at the coliseum (dollar tickets, dollar dogs). The whole night would set us back less than 15 bucks and we got to see the moneyball A's crush their opponents.

Now we drag the the kids out for a game and it costs me a small fortune after the piracy that is coliseum parking, driving in from the burbs, churros for the boys (we pack our own dinners), deal tickets that still end up costing more than I expect after "convenience fees," and we get to watch the miserable A's, who have one for out of Oakland, get their brains beaten in by teams fielding former A's stars like Semien and Chapman.

21. the Hugh Jorgan returns Posted: July 20, 2022 at 11:30 PM (#6087551)

Although for four peoples it's not THAT much cheaper than parking. 8 rides at $2.75 is $22. You can find parking for most night games for $25.

22. The Yankee Clapper Posted: July 20, 2022 at 11:32 PM (#6087552)

Nationals now promoting a 72-hour 53% off tickets flash sale in recognition of the 53 HRs Juan Soto hit in the Home Run Derby. Might also also be in recognition that few tickets will be sold if/when they trade him.

23. The importance of being Ernest Riles Posted: July 20, 2022 at 11:36 PM (#6087553)

22/ I'm visiting DC and have tickets to an august Nats game. I'm going to be disappointed.

24. Walt Davis Posted: July 20, 2022 at 11:39 PM (#6087554)

25. The Honorable Ardo Posted: July 21, 2022 at 01:06 AM (#6087557)

It's only out of reach if your hometown team is winning. I go to Detroit Tigers games for $10 (lowest price ticket, no one cares where you actually sit) plus $5.50 (one cone of delicious Guernsey ice cream).

Word to the wise: do your drinking before or after the game, unless you can expense it as "hospitality".

26. geonose Posted: July 21, 2022 at 01:24 AM (#6087561)

Makes me long for the days when I could get into GA at Royals Stadium for $1.50. Can't remember at all what parking cost...maybe $5? We would split the parking cost amongst those of us in the car so maybe my share was another $1.25 or so. Usually we would eat before going (Taco Bell!) so perhaps bought a coke at most while at the game. Oh, and yes, a scorecard for 50 cents. Total cost easily under $10 per person (not including the Taco Bell spend). Yes, I am old; this was in the late '70s early '80s. Even then when I was young and poor it was affordable. Overall, cheaper than going to as movie at the time. Nowadays a ball game easily outdistances the cost of a movie.

Last time I went to Shedd was maybe 2001. I do not remember the price of tickets. I do remember that we parked (free) at Soldier Field and walked over. This was summer so no conflict with a game and no questions asked by anybody. You probably can't do that anymore. Food? If you are in Chicago you should not be reduced to eating at Shedd, regardless of price. Visit the aquarium, then go somewhere else to eat and get more bang for your buck.

27. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: July 21, 2022 at 07:31 AM (#6087570)

Average ticket prices ... For the Cubs they list $57 in the above table. I checked an upcoming Fri game against the Marlins (big draw!) and there were a few tiers of tix below that, then a set of tix that used to cost me $1 as a kid listed now at $57** then tiers going as high as $200. I would guess that $57 is around the median, surely at least a weighted average. It struck me as a reasonably accurate reflection of a "typical Cub retail ticket cost."

The differences for the shared markets are interesting. White Sox around $215, Cubs around $315 (more than the Yanks). Yanks at $303, Mets $197. Dodger $266, Angels $182. Giants $245, A's $204 ... I'm surprised the Giants aren't higher and maybe the A's should try being cheaper than the Mets and Angels.

** Inflation shminflation, I did not arrive on the Mayflower with Andy.

Over the years I've pointed out countless times that the price of good tickets*** for anything other than Who Cares games has far outpaced the overall rate of inflation. Nice to see that the BTF world is catching up to reality.

I've been to hundreds of games in 26 different MLB stadiums, but when I think of the cost and hassle of attending games in person these days, I stop to consider that the Extra Innings package of $139.99 a year is an infinitely better way to watch baseball. These are the worst of times, these are the best of times.

***Meaning anywhere between first and third, either upper or lower deck, any row.

28. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: July 21, 2022 at 08:43 AM (#6087574)

Fair enough, but leaving the stadium there seem to be a huge traffic jam around it. Not sure how long it would take to get clear of the traffic.
The subway was super easy and since I was playing tourist, I got the whole NY experience!

There are ways around it if you know the area, or just use Waze.

If you live somewhere where those subway lines go, it's very convenient. When I lived on the UES the subway was great. Now, I'd have to take the subway back south into Manhattan, switch at Harlem 125 or GCT, and get a northbound Metro North. Late nights and weekends those run like once every half hour, and take 50+ minutes to my town. So, even if the drive takes an hour, It's still better than 1.5-2 hours on public transit. And much cheaper as long as I'm not alone.

29. Ziggy: social distancing since 1980 Posted: July 21, 2022 at 10:05 AM (#6087587)

The real problem with this exercise, as demonstrated in the comments here, is that the "cost for a family to go to a ball game" doesn't have much of anything to do with the average cost of tickets. If you want to take the family to a game, there are always the cheap seats. Which for the O's (my local team) cuts the cost they give in half. $80 for an evening of fun for a family of four is actually a pretty good deal. I don't think I can walk out my door without spending $20. Where it gets pricy is if you want good seats. But who wants good seats? The fans are in the bleachers (except YS, where vile cretins seem to sit the in the bleachers).

30. Ithaca2323 Posted: July 21, 2022 at 10:08 AM (#6087589)

Over the years I've pointed out countless times that the price of good tickets*** for anything other than Who Cares games has far outpaced the overall rate of inflation.

That's different than the price of "Going to a MLB game." Your particular parameters are yours alone, in the same way your complaints about never getting to see Ohtani play because you don't want to start watching games you can't finish are your issue.

There are plenty of ways to "go to a MLB game" for a fraction of the costs listed above.

Stubhub has $7 (estimated fees included) tickets for a Royals/White Sox game. That's $27 per ticket cheaper than what's listed in the above table. There are hundreds of Orioles tickets for upcoming games that are listed on their site at $10-$15

31. Tom Nawrocki Posted: July 21, 2022 at 10:36 AM (#6087593)

So I can buy a beer at a Rockies game for $3?

I would very much like Mark J. Burns to point out where I can get these $3 beers. Last time I was there (on Memorial Day), all I could find was tall boys that were something like $12.95 for 24 ounces.

On the other hand, if you want to see the Rockies for cheap, tickets in the Rockpile way out in centerfield are still just eight bucks.

32. villageidiom Posted: July 21, 2022 at 02:11 PM (#6087624)

I've been hearing "costs for attending MLB games are getting out of reach" stories for 30+ years. Average per-game attendance right now is lower than a few years ago, but still is higher than every year 1988 or prior. People are reaching those tickets.

Ticket price inflation since 1989, based on my sample size of the good seats I got to a game in 1989 at Fenway ($16) compared to what the same seats cost now ($187), is around 7.7% per year. That's definitely much higher than general inflation, but it might be lower than wage inflation of the people who might be the target consumer for those seats. Regardless of the target consumer, there are plenty of actual consumers. Still, yeah, ticket price inflation is pricing some consumers out.

At the same time, I suspect some of the people who feel they're getting priced out are people whose parents brought them to games and don't know or appreciate the financial choices their parents made for it to happen. Like, as a kid, if you went to a game it was special but the mere fact that you went to a game was evidence that your family could afford to go to a game, and that's all you knew from a financial perspective. You didn't see parents setting aside money for a period of time to save up, or adding to credit card debt, or whatever. Now as an adult it's a rude awakening when those choices are yours. The transition from afterthought to thought is shocking for some.

33. My name is Votto, and I love to get Moppo Posted: July 21, 2022 at 03:40 PM (#6087645)

Any insight on parking for PNC Park? Hoping to go to a game on Sunday and fly out afterwards. Should I park downtown and walk across the bridge?

34. Walt Davis Posted: July 21, 2022 at 04:58 PM (#6087667)

#27 ... I wouldn't say the rest of us are catching up to you as much as we thought your point was bloody ####### obvious.

35. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: July 21, 2022 at 05:15 PM (#6087671)

Over the years I've pointed out countless times that the price of good tickets*** for anything other than Who Cares games has far outpaced the overall rate of inflation.

That's different than the price of "Going to a MLB game." Your particular parameters are yours alone

Guilty as charged. It used to cost the same to see a good visiting team play as it did to see an also-ran, and now it costs more, often a lot more. Feel free to defend the demise of that former policy, but I'm hardly the only one who doesn't like it. It affects any fan who wants to see the best teams in a good seat without paying through the nose.

Dynamic pricing favors fans with plenty of disposable income, and disfavors those without it. It puts more money in the pockets of the owners, and leaves less money in the pockets of the fans.

But sure, if you only care about the Generic Ballpark Experience with no regard for the level of competition or the quality of the seat(s), then none of this matters. Can't argue with that. If all I cared about were the Generic Ballpark Experience, I can just go to a minor league game, or walk a few blocks and watch our neighborhood high school team get its ass kicked.

------------

I've been hearing "costs for attending MLB games are getting out of reach" stories for 30+ years. Average per-game attendance right now is lower than a few years ago, but still is higher than every year 1988 or prior.

The U. S. population has gone up 36% since 1988. I'd sure as hell expect the average per-game attendance to have gone up considerably.

36. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: July 21, 2022 at 05:23 PM (#6087672)

#27 ... I wouldn't say the rest of us are catching up to you as much as we thought your point was bloody ####### obvious.

Funny, but whenever I'd kvetch about dynamic pricing in previous years, I'd always get reminded of how cheap it is to watch the Royals play the Twins in a nosebleed seat, as if I'd never heard of StubHub. They may have thought the point I was making was bloody ####### obvious, but they were also defending the practice, on the grounds of Free Markets vs Communism, You Can't Blame The Owners For Maximizing Profits, or something along those lines. I say it's spinach and I say the hell with it.

37. Commissioner Bud Black Beltre Hillman Fred Posted: July 21, 2022 at 05:30 PM (#6087676)

Well it's no baby chard, that's for sure.

38. Tom Nawrocki Posted: July 21, 2022 at 05:42 PM (#6087678)

Dynamic pricing favors fans with plenty of disposable income, and disfavors those without it. It puts more money in the pockets of the owners, and leaves less money in the pockets of the fans.

Dynamic pricing favors fans of the hometown team, and disfavors carpetbagging out-of-town fans. Prices here go up when the Cubs or (god help us) the Yankees are in town, which is fine with me. I'm going to see the Rockies, so it's not a big deal to me if they're playing the Marlins or Royals.

39. Brian C Posted: July 21, 2022 at 07:03 PM (#6087693)

Any insight on parking for PNC Park? Hoping to go to a game on Sunday and fly out afterwards. Should I park downtown and walk across the bridge?

That's what I did, although it's been ... 10 years? since I was there. So couldn't tell you if anything's changed. The only problem I had was leaving the night game I went to, when the Clemente bridge was closed because of the fireworks show. But I just had to walk over to the next bridge and walk across that, no big deal.

Other than that, though, it was super easy and reasonably priced to get there a few hours early, park in one of the garages on the south side of the river, and walk across. Fun, too. And the park is beautiful, really a shame the Pirates haven't been able to do it justice on the field during most of its existence.

40. Pirate Joe Posted: July 21, 2022 at 07:56 PM (#6087704)

Any insight on parking for PNC Park? Hoping to go to a game on Sunday and fly out afterwards. Should I park downtown and walk across the bridge?

I usually do, but one thing to remember is that the Clemente Bridge is closed for repairs right now. So you will have to walk one block further down to the Andy Warhol Bridge to cross. No big deal, but you might want to keep that in mind when deciding where exactly you want to park.

I believe on the weekends the city owned garages are $6.

41. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: July 21, 2022 at 08:04 PM (#6087705)

Dynamic pricing favors fans of the hometown team, and disfavors carpetbagging out-of-town fans.

Except when those hometown fans want to see the best out-of-town teams. It's not as if these hometown fans are getting hometown discounts for those games.

Prices here go up when the Cubs or (god help us) the Yankees are in town, which is fine with me. I'm going to see the Rockies, so it's not a big deal to me if they're playing the Marlins or Royals.

Which is why I said "But sure, if you only care about the Generic Ballpark Experience with no regard for the level of competition or the quality of the seat(s), then none of this matters." And while it doesn't matter to you, it does matter to others. Not all fans want the same thing.

42. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: July 21, 2022 at 08:39 PM (#6087707)

The U. S. population has gone up 36% since 1988. I'd sure as hell expect the average per-game attendance to have gone up considerably.

Stadium capacity has generally gone down though, right? I think Citi Field seats 10,000-15,000 less than Shea did, for example (depending on your sources for stadium capacity).

43. Howie Menckel Posted: July 21, 2022 at 08:56 PM (#6087709)

yes, I have noted before getting an in-person gripe from Jeff Wilpon, seething that the Giants and Jets (used to) sell out every game before the season even starts, whereas Mets fans tend to wait until a few days before the game to make sure the weather is good.

He said he hoped that the smaller capacity might mean his franchise could sell most (if not all) of its ticket inventory well in advance, too - so neither weather nor the team sucking would cut into their total ticket revenue.

Jeff was such a charmer......

44. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: July 22, 2022 at 08:00 AM (#6087741)

Sure, but if you're using much gas, or paying tolls, you probably have to take a commuter train on top of the subway. That gets pricey.

Coming from Westchester or Connecticut, driving is cheaper and faster, unless you live close to the Hudson line, can park at those stations for free, and are only 1 or 2 people.

FYI, there's no "on top of the subway". You can just take Metro North to the stadium - no need to take the subway. Transfer to the Hudson Line at 125th St and it's like another 5-10 minutes to the stadium. There are some direct trains from CT/Westchester to the stadium as well, depending on where you're coming from. Just looking online, there's a 5:30 pm train directly from Rye to the stadium for next Friday's game against the Royals, for example.

Similarly, there are direct LIRR trains to Citi Field if you're coming from Long Island/Penn Station.

But yeah, convenience generally outweighs price when it comes to getting to the games. And in general, if you live somewhere that it's cheaper to take the train, it's likely much more convenient as well.

45. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: July 22, 2022 at 08:50 AM (#6087748)

Hmph! Back in my day, it costed twelve pieces o' silver to go to a ballgame! And they sat ya on a barb wire fence in the bleachers, half a mile from home plate! And if you tried to order a hot dog from a vendor, he'd give ya a crazed weasel that would rip off your face! And the "beer" was...well, let's just say it came from a tap just outside the bathroom! And if ya complained, the biggest usher would jam ya into a sausage slicer, and you'd be today's special! Yessir, we had real men in them days...!

46. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: July 22, 2022 at 09:09 AM (#6087752)

The U. S. population has gone up 36% since 1988. I'd sure as hell expect the average per-game attendance to have gone up considerably.

Stadium capacity has generally gone down though, right? I think Citi Field seats 10,000-15,000 less than Shea did, for example (depending on your sources for stadium capacity).

Sure, but attendance shot up when every one of those new stadiums opened, and at this point the number of lost ticket sales for the small number of games that are true sellouts wouldn't make up for the loss in attendance if teams were still playing in their older (if bigger) multiplexes.

BTW the first place Mets are averaging about 12,000 below capacity. Their problem isn't the number of seats.

47. dejarouehg Posted: July 22, 2022 at 09:10 AM (#6087753)

Jeff was such a charmer......

a loathsome character.

Have all but given up going to games. Traffic back-up on the Van Wyck going to Citi (not interested in parking under Northern Blvd.,) the hassle of the Grand Concourse going to YS3, it's all become too much of a chore.

So I amortize the cost of the couch, TV, electric and cable fees and off-set savings on food, gas, wear & tear on vehicle, and comfort factor, time saved avoiding traffic and it's just not a tough choice anymore.

48. dejarouehg Posted: July 22, 2022 at 09:24 AM (#6087756)

I will still pay to go to games at new ballparks and no matter how many times I go to Wrigley, it doesn't get old........and I can watch a game without spending money on food.

Paying hosejob prices to travel to new ballparks is no worse than getting shafted at Disney or any other vacation-related endeavor.

The real enjoyable and cost-effective experience is going to minor league games, especially when you get to see a bona-fide prospect, which in baseball really means a little-lesser of a crapshoot.

Went to a Rumble Pony game a few years ago and had no idea that I was seeing future big leaguers in Alonso and McNeil. All the buzz at the time was about a lousy former QB who shouldn't be playing in Double A but was somehow being considered for the MiLB All Star game?

49. dejarouehg Posted: July 22, 2022 at 09:24 AM (#6087757)

double post

50. . . . . . . Posted: July 22, 2022 at 09:49 AM (#6087759)

51. Ithaca2323 Posted: July 22, 2022 at 10:19 AM (#6087764)

And while it doesn't matter to you, it does matter to others. Not all fans want the same thing.

Sure, but not being able to get a very specific type of experience is different from not getting the experience. In the same way you could watch Ohtani, but you only want to watch him the exact way you want to watch him.

If I want to go get a burger in my hometown, I have these options:

McDonald's Double Cheeseburger: $4.79
Five Guys Cheeseburger: $9.19
Burger at nice sit down restaurant: $18

Just because I only have $10 and I only want to eat at the $18 restaurant doesn't mean I'm priced out of getting a burger.

52. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: July 22, 2022 at 10:21 AM (#6087765)

I just bought two tickets for a Broadway show for my wife and I for this weekend. The seats are decent, but hardly the best in the theater; the show is popular, but not Hamilton.

$591 for two people. Just for tickets.

Its not a baseball thing.

You're right. It's not just a baseball thing. It's a thing that encompasses nearly every form of entertainment that targets people with lots of discretionary income, or people with children who cajole them to go to places like Disney World that no sane adult would otherwise visit in a million years.

But then there's the other extreme, one example of which I've personally indulged in for several decades: Pool tournaments.

How much would it cost to enter a golf tournament where you could often directly compete with Ryder Cup members?

Local and regional pool tournaments often have the pool counterparts of Ryder Cup members** competing, where anyone can enter for fees ranging from $20 to $100 max. And in those tournament you can sometimes find yourself directly competing with those pro players, sometimes even enjoying the thrill of beating them if the races are short enough.

How much would you have to pay to play a round of golf with Tiger Woods or Matt Fitzpatrick?

The point being that if you're willing to go out of the box, there are plenty of great entertainment opportunities that don't involve insane amounts of money. What I've mentioned above is just one example of many. You just have to be willing to look for them.

** The pool counterpart being known as the Mosconi Cup, with 5 U. S. players annually competing against 5 Europeans.

53. McCoy Posted: July 22, 2022 at 10:22 AM (#6087766)

Every year writers discover inflation but do not understand it.

54. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: July 22, 2022 at 10:25 AM (#6087767)

Just because I only have $10 and I really want to eat at the $18 restaurant doesn't mean I'm priced out of getting a burger.

I never said you were. But not everyone wants to settle for fast food burgers that can't even be cooked to order.

55. snapper (history's 42nd greatest monster) Posted: July 22, 2022 at 10:30 AM (#6087768)

FYI, there's no "on top of the subway". You can just take Metro North to the stadium - no need to take the subway. Transfer to the Hudson Line at 125th St and it's like another 5-10 minutes to the stadium. There are some direct trains from CT/Westchester to the stadium as well, depending on where you're coming from. Just looking online, there's a 5:30 pm train directly from Rye to the stadium for next Friday's game against the Royals, for example.

I'm still transferring, so I don't really see the difference between switching from the subway at 125, or Metro North. I guess you don't have to a walk a couple of blocks which is OK. The downside would be the Metro-North trains are much less frequent than the subways.

I have no idea how there could be a "direct" train from Rye to Yankee Stadium. The train lines just don't run that way. There must be some really funky track switching going on.

56. Ron J Posted: July 22, 2022 at 12:17 PM (#6087775)

#50 And just try and get the attention of the hot dog vendor at Hamilton!

57. Starring Bradley Scotchman as RMc Posted: July 22, 2022 at 01:49 PM (#6087809)

This just in: sh!t costs money these days.

58. Red Menace Posted: July 22, 2022 at 02:20 PM (#6087816)

I took in a game at PNC this year. We stayed on the north (stadium side) of the river. There was lots of parking and it was very walkable. The Clemente bridge being closed for repairs means you will have to walk a bit further to get to and from downtown, but it's doable.

59. Never Give an Inge (Dave) Posted: July 22, 2022 at 04:56 PM (#6087837)

I'm still transferring, so I don't really see the difference between switching from the subway at 125, or Metro North. I guess you don't have to a walk a couple of blocks which is OK. The downside would be the Metro-North trains are much less frequent than the subways.

The upside is that you don't have to walk the few blocks or pay for an extra subway fare (although the train ticket is $1 extra than just going to 125th), and you skip the few stops between 125th and YS. And presumably it's less crowded.

I have no idea how there could be a "direct" train from Rye to Yankee Stadium. The train lines just don't run that way. There must be some really funky track switching going on.

It goes from New Haven to Yankee Stadium, and the last stop before the stadium is New Rochelle. I couldn't figure out the exact route but it only takes 25 minutes from New Rochelle to the Stadium, which isn't bad.

60. DL from MN Posted: July 22, 2022 at 07:40 PM (#6087859)

I understand why the teams have high cost tickets as the teams try to extract the most money out of the people with the most disposable income. It does make the stadium experience less interesting when it's only half-full and the fans are rich people in private boxes entertaining clients. Filling the seats generally makes the game more lively and entertaining.

61. Brian C Posted: July 22, 2022 at 08:21 PM (#6087863)

I understand why the teams have high cost tickets as the teams try to extract the most money out of the people with the most disposable income. It does make the stadium experience less interesting when it's only half-full and the fans are rich people in private boxes entertaining clients. Filling the seats generally makes the game more lively and entertaining.

This is true, but I also enjoy having the elbow room at a half-empty park. Given the choice, I'd prefer a packed stadium with a lively crowd. But, pros and cons either way, I guess. Going to a game last summer in Seattle - the first live event I'd attended post-pandemic - and having a section to myself on a nice evening was an extremely pleasant experience.

Similar to movies, I guess. Great to see an audience-pleaser with a big crowd, but also nice to have an empty theater to yourself.

62. ERROR---Jolly Old St. Nick

Posted: July 22, 2022 at 09:20 PM (#6087870)

If teams set aside several thousand general admission tickets between the bases that were sold only on a first come / first served / walk-up basis, I couldn't care less if they sold their box seats for $1,000 each.

63. Howie Menckel Posted: July 22, 2022 at 09:42 PM (#6087881)

pros and cons either way, I guess.

semi-retired NY Post curmudgeon Phil Mushnick to beat dead horses, but sometimes the horse ... never mind.

anyway, in one recurring meme he notes that fans of the Giants and Jets - like any crappy franchises in a large market in the northeast or midwest - face their own pros and cons.

as they share the worst record in the NFL over the past 5 years, most of their home games list at 1 p.m.

so some gorgeous September Sundays, pleasant change of scenery in October, maybe an early start makes the November home games more palatable, and pray for some sun with the cold in December.

but if the team is surprisingly good - yay! - then here comes the "flex" schedule to move some second-half games to Sunday later afternoon or night. if you don't have tickets, no worries - unless you like to sleep early and/or go to work very early on Monday.

and if either team is ever good again for a year or two, there's a risk of lots of 4 pm Sunday games as well as more Sunday night and Monday scheduled games.

I went to the last Jets home game at Giants Stadium about a dozen years ago. it was on an absolutely frigid Sunday night, iirc. only the hardier souls on hand for that one.

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