[stomczyk09]

I mainly want to address the baseball portion, as I do agree with the theme park prices getting to crazy high levels, and big expenses:

-While it is frustrating that the prices are rising, there are ways around this. The type of game is an important factor to include. Obviously rivalries are going to be expensive, but if you go to maybe a Wednesday night when your team plays someone out of market, you can grab same day tickets for a deal on broker sites(although fees are annoying). I believe there are ways to be creative about this, and doesn't necessarily have to break the bank(I paid 6 dollars to see the yankees play the marlins like 3 years ago as an example).

-The food portion I do agree with, as that is getting out of control. I tend to eat before I go and stick to waters(maybe a beer or 2) to not spend too much while there.

-Given the subway system in New York, I've never had to park a car to get to a game and pay round trip 5 bucks to get to the game, so I'm uneducated on this one. I am sure this is probably the hardest cost to avoid in most cities.

Last thing I will say, as I know my prior thoughts don't necessarily address the obvious problem of major league games becoming out of reach for groups/families.

When I was a kid, one of my favorite games I've ever been to was a Minor League game in Newark, NJ. For a low price, you can get GREAT seats and the same environment of a baseball game. From what I remember, it was a fantastic family environment, that tends to offer cheaper amenities(i.e food, drinks, etc.) that still provides a great ballgame environment. Know this is not the same as seeing your favorite big league team play, but still a great option!

Would love to hear what people think

[WastingMyTime89]

I still think that it’s madness that entertainment companies priced out the general public like that. I understand that they are not charities and that’s some people are still paying these extortionate prices but still.

Part of me thinks it’s crazy how we all seem fine about building a two-tiered world where the rich get richer and can enjoy luxurious things while the poor scrap by.

I believe it’s clearly a consequence of the policies enacted in the 80s. These policies were pushed out with a total disregard for social cohesion. It’s all about making target numbers grow bigger without looking at the big picture. My belief is we have reached a point where inequality needs to be tamed if we don’t want our states to be torn apart but the idea has apparently never been as unpopular with half of the population.

[MattGaiser]

Stadiums remain pretty full in my anecdotal experience, so while they may have priced out the general public, they don't fit anyway.

[bombcar]

This is the main thing - if there was a large demand for "cheap Disneylands" for the general public, someone would build them and snap up that group.

And they have, SoCal and Florida have lots more amusement parks than they used to, and they're not all priced the same.

[dragonwriter]

> if there was a large demand for "cheap Disneylands"

There is a large demand for cheap family entertainment, and a lot of supply.

It doesn't look a lot like “city sized theme park with exclusively licensed characters from major popular media” because...that's inherently not cheap to operate, so people trying to do it either end up being expensive, or go out of business (and the universe of defunct theme parks is a testament to the latter outcome.)

[quxbar]

It is very difficult to recognize the dysfunction of a system that works to one's own benefit. Enough people are comfortable under the current system that any coherent policy change seems unlikely.

[cableshaft]

As someone who doesn't really follow sports much anymore, and doesn't really care much about specific teams, I much prefer going to Minor League games.

Much cheaper, parking is easy, nowhere near as crowded, much more relaxed, and the baseball is practically indistinguishable to me from Major League.

[noelsusman]

I go see my local AAA team a few times a month during the season. I sit right behind home plate for $15. Parking is $7 or free if you're willing to walk 10 minutes. They brew their own beer and sell tall boys for $5 each.

The skill gap between MLB and AAA has probably never been bigger, but at the same time the gap between AAA and the lower levels has probably never been smaller. And of course to the untrained eye (99% of fans) it all looks basically identical.

[bombcar]

I wonder where AAA is on "skill inflation" against the historical MLB of 20-50 years ago. It's possible that AAA players today are better than the average major leaguer of the past.

[brewdad]

The quality of minor league baseball, at least the level available to me (Single A), is way below that of the major leagues but the entire experience is 2x-5x cheaper before adding in the cost of transportation and a hotel. The nearest MLB team is almost 4 hours away from me. Our minor league team is about 10 minutes away.

So, since I can get a ticket, parking, food, and a couple of local microbrews for less than $50, I'll attend the minor league games and watch the MLB team in 4K from my living room. The games tend to be faster too, so often I can go the the minor league game and then catch the last inning or two of the MLB game at home.

[stomczyk09]

I would agree with this. The environment of a baseball game at a minor league is comparable to a major league team as far as setting and atmosphere.

[mbg721]

I wouldn't agree...minor league teams appeal to gimmicks at all costs and have distorted stats because the balance of the game is meant for big-leaguers.

[mbg721]

I guess I should amend that to mention that market size matters...the Reds, Mets, and Tigers are kind of AAA-ish.

[stomczyk09]

I guess how I should have phrased this was for a family that wants to bring their kids to a ball game to experience the atmosphere it could be a good, more affordable way.

You make a valid point, but if I lived near, for example, Somerset. I would make it a point to watch one of the Yankees' promising prospects.

[mbg721]

If you want to watch the Yankees' prospects, watch the Reds or Twins.

[mmmpop]

I agree. I remember going to a AA game as a kid and it stuck with me a long time as a great experience.

[alexpotato]

Interesting intersection of two points in this article and the comments:

Friend of mine and I were talking about how minor league baseball is in decline vs college baseball due to colleges offering:

- better housing (nice dorms vs motels)

- better food (cafeteria vs chain restaurant/fast food)

- better lifestyle (top college baseball players at baseball focused schools are treated like gods)

[mmmpop]

Cons: at least the pretense of learning things and passing courses

I've met and drank with some minor league baseball guys before and obviously I won't speak for all of them, but they often aren't really uh... college material.

[bombcar]

College baseball also hasn't been forced to be the minor leagues like college football has; some say that many of the college students playing foot ball aren't really uh... college material either.

[mmmpop]

Probably true but I lived in a dorm at a large SEC state school and knew plenty of both athletes and baseball guys were 10x smarter 100% of the time.

[mbg721]

College baseball is very granularly regional in a way that football and basketball aren't; if you're near a good college team, you know it for sure.

[bombcar]

Minor league games are an amazing steal; especially if you have a local team you can follow - you get up close and personal, and often the players stick around for autographs and fun.

I have quite fond memories of the Everett Aquasox; I wish we had a minor league team closer to where I am now. And sometimes you even get to see the stars when they're on injury rehab!

[stomczyk09]

Huge call out on the stars in Rehab Assignment. AAA teams you'll see some players like that or draft picks that are going to be in the starting lineup soon!

[asdff]

Baseball stadiums are great experience for small market teams. You can see Cleveland play for like $15 because they never sell out. Meanwhile good luck finding a dodger game for $15. It's priced as high as the market can bear. If they can sell dodger tickets for as much as they do and still sell out every single home game they will continue pricing them even higher next season until some limit has been reached like it has for cleveland with those $15 bleacher seats you can score. Right now it looks like the limit does not exist for large market teams like the dodgers at least.

[neutronicus]

The Orioles are for sure dirt-cheap. They run promotions where you can get in for four bucks. When I was in Pittsburgh for a minute the Pirates were a crazy bargain too.

If the MTA ever gets its shit together I'll be able to get there and back on the Light Rail, too.

[stomczyk09]

Good insight! That being said, the only baseball stadiums I've been to are the 2 in NY, Philly, and San Diego so don't have the national insight.

The Yankees do Pinstripe passes where you get a beer and a seat for X dollars which tends to be a good deal

[bombcar]

The Petco Park-in-the-Park is now $20 wow, used to be $5.