[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.