There’s nothing quite like the joy of a day at the ballpark: the roar of the crowd, the crack of the bat, the smell of hot dogs and french fries. But, a family outing at a Yankees or Mets game is an incredibly expensive undertaking, one which many family budgets can no longer afford. Increasingly, many are turning to Minor League and Independent League Baseball to bridge the gap. These games can provide all the drama and excitement of Major League Baseball at a fraction of the price.
“The best part of minor league baseball is the access that we provide compared to a major league experience,” says Billy Harner, director of communications for the Brooklyn Cyclones. “Our ballpark is very fan-friendly, very kid-friendly. The furthest seat from the field is about 20 rows. Our tickets start at $10. So you can come out here with a family of four, including food and drinks and a foam finger, for the same price you’d spend on one good seat at a Mets or Yankees game.”
Baseball Plus
In addition to the affordability of these games, another major draw is the fact that Minor League and Independent League teams make sure that a trip to their ballpark is about a lot more than baseball. And don’t forget about all the firework nights. “Our main thing is the family entertainment,” says Corinne Adams, director of marketing and communications for the Hudson Valley Renegades. “That’s what we cater towards. We want to make sure that there’s never a moment where kids get restless. There’s always something to do.”
Games in these stadiums often include fan activities between innings, multiple giveaways, funky theme nights, free batting cages, speed pitch games, a playground, or even train rides. “Being a Minor League ballpark, we have the ability to pay more attention to our fans,” says Kristi Saporito, promotions and in-game entertainment manager for the Rockland Boulders. “Our stadium is much smaller than a major league stadium. We have a strong focus on families and children and keeping everyone entertained.”
A big part of keeping everyone entertained, of course, is keeping everyone fed, and these stadiums do not disappoint. You’ll find your traditional burgers, beer, soda and ice cream, but on any given night you’ll also find specialty food such as Tex-Mex cuisine, a Kosher stand, Dippin Dots, barbecue, or almost anything else your stomach craves.
First-Rate Game
Don’t think for a moment, however, that they don’t play serious baseball in these stadiums. The players on Minor League teams are trying to show that they deserve a shot in the Major Leagues, and are playing their hearts out. And as for the players in the Independent League? They want to impress MLB scouts enough to have their contract bought out by a big league club, as happened last year to a player on the Independent League Rockland Boulders.
Minor League and Independent League Baseball offers people the best of both worlds. The die-hard baseball fan will witness exciting, first-rate baseball from players hungry to prove their worth, while those less baseball-obsessed can enjoy hours of energetic, wholesome, and often goofy, family-friendly fun.
Brooklyn Cyclones
Single-A Affiliate of the New York Mets
MCU Park, 1904 Surf Ave., Brooklyn, N.Y.
brooklyncyclones.com
Voted the Most Fun Ballpark in Minor League Baseball by Fox News in 2011, MCU Park is located right in the middle of Coney Island Amusement Park, steps from the Boardwalk and 100 yards from the Atlantic Ocean.
Visitors to MCU Park are treated to performances from the Brooklyn Cyclone Beach Bums, a female dance team who perform on field and on top of the dugout throughout the game, as well as Brooklyn Cyclone Icon King Henry. “We have people who come here just for the atmosphere,” says Harner. “They want to be a part of the excitement and fun that is synonymous with the Brooklyn Cyclones.”
Staten Island Yankees
Single-A Affiliate of the New York Yankees
Richmond County Bank Ballpark
75 Richmond Terrace , Staten Island, N.Y.
milb.com
Richmond County Bank Ballpark is a 90-second walk from the Staten Island Ferry terminal on Staten Island, making a game here the perfect cap to the relaxing 25-minute free ferry ride past the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island.
“We’re a really great family environment,” says Staten Island Yankees Director of Entertainment Mike Katz. “We try to keep prices low so it can be a great family experience and we focus heavily on family entertainment.”
Being part of the Yankees’ organization means some of the true greats have played on the field during the team’s 15-year history. “You get to see a lot of good baseball and a lot of good players just starting out,” says Katz.
Rockland Boulders
Independent League Baseball
Provident Bank Park
1 Provident Bank Park Dr., Pomona, N.Y.
rocklandboulders.com
With tickets for a Boulders game starting at $8, “You can come to a Boulders game for less than it would take to park at Yankee Stadium,” says Saporito.
Since opening in 2011, Provident Bank Park has worked hard to be a total family entertainment destination, featuring an enclosed playground within the ballpark, balloon artists, inflatables and a train travelling around the stadium during the game. “It’s more of a family experience rather than parents just watching the game and trying to keep the kids quiet,” says Saporito.
Hudson Valley Renegades
Single-A Affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays
Dutchess Stadium
1500 Rte. 9D, Wappinger Falls, N.Y.
milb.com
With 16 fireworks shows scheduled amongst their 38 home games, Dutchess Stadium will literally be exploding throughout the 2014 season. “We have some of the best fireworks in the Hudson Valley,” says Corinne Adams, their director of marketing and communications.
In addition to the stadium seats, each one closer to the action than 90 percent of the seats at a major league ballpark, Dutchess Stadium offers picnic areas right up along the first and third base lines, and features the Corona Cantina patio directly above them and equally close. You’ll be so close to the action, you’re nearly guaranteed to go home with a foul ball or two.
David Neilsen is a frequent contributor to Westchester Family.
