Take me out to the ball game - and the bank
Apr. 14—Take me out to the ballgame, buy me some sushi and gluten-free churros, $11 beer and I don't care if I ever go back...
When you get to be a certain age, the thought of taking the family to the ballpark is one of those fantasies that might better be served with a day dream rather than an actual event, at least if you are on a budget.
Although I grew up a Red Sox fan and went to Fenway many times when I was young (and it was always special), my most vivid memory was walking into Yankee Stadium in junior high right after they remodeled it in in 1977. It was a night game against Cleveland and I just remember the entire stadium opening up with green grass and blue seats. I was there with a couple of friends and their dads and I can honestly say I understood what "Yankee Stadium magic" was after that. And what was the cost? $4 for the ticket and $6 in spending money thanks to a small route with the Bergen Record newspaper.
So with COVID in the rear-view mirror, the Daviess County baseball fans are now starting to make plans for a day at the ballpark again and according to where you go, it could cost more than ever for a family of four.
According to an online story in USA Today, for four basic tickets, four hot dogs, four sodas, a beer and parking is the basic most plan for a day in your Field of Dreams of choice. These numbers only represent the most basic experience, no hats, no jersey, no club seats or skyboxes, buffets or VIP parking, just a seat and basic sustenance.
As expected, Fenway, Wrigley and Yankee Stadium come out on top between $350 and $400 per family, but truthfully, it is going to be double or triple that when people throw in a couple of hats, T-shirts, nachos and more than one adult beverage. Area codes mean a lot, but aren't exclusively the difference.
On the basic package, Chicago's US Cellular Field starts off about $100 less than Wrigley and the same holds true for the Dodgers and their little brothers the Angels. Success is not the only factor, as Boston is on the bottom of the AL East, while Tampa Bay is unbeaten, yet a Rays games is less than half of a Boston game ($157 v. $380). Although it is just anecdotal, a friend recently said the last time he took his grown family of five to Wrigley, he spent $1,800 for the afternoon.
So who is on the very bottom? Arizona.
The D-backs basic fan experience comes in at $126 per family or about the same as a nice dinner out. Locally, the Reds aren't far behind at about $157. A few years ago, they still had the Dollar Dogs on one of upper concourses and also sold Hudepohl Delight for $3. I can't imagine prices have gone up much because they certainly didn't put profit money into the off-season payroll. However, Great America is a very pleasant place to watch a game. The Cardinals come in at $207 which is not unreasonable, and it is definitely one of the cheapest beers around at $5. Truthfully, it should be the absolute freshest beer and sold at cost as a marketing tool, especially if the name on the marquee is Busch.
If one does want the old time experience, it does exist but it tends to be at minor league games. We are very lucky to have the Dubois Bombers in our area and they have had a great family product over the last few years. They are part of a college wooden bat league and showcases a lot of the area players that are playing college ball. Another model that has been extremely successful is that of the Savannah Bananas, who are filling stadiums with a novelty/comic approach, almost like the Globetrotters.
I hope people do spend time at the ballpark this summer, I just am a little concerned that with the way the major league game has been monetized at every level, the experience will still be wonderful, but wear shorts with very deep pockets — you will need them.
