Spring is here, and with it, the start of baseball season. That means countless Americans will be spending time at ball parks, basking in the smell of hot dogs and freshly-clipped grass, with the sound of cracking bats and excited cheers in the air.
For many, going to a baseball game is a wonderful past time. But there’s just one thing. Baseball games are expensive. Once you buy the tickets, the beverages, the snacks, souvenirs, parking, and so on, an afternoon at the ballpark can quickly become a very pricey proposition.
[See: 12 Ways to Save More in the Springtime.]
Over the years, I’ve attended countless professional baseball games and have learned a repertoire of strategies for keeping costs low. Here are some of my favorite money-saving tactics for a day at the old ballgame.
Check out minor league baseball. While major league games are certainly fun, you can get much of the same experience — along with a healthy dose of hometown flavor — from attending a minor league baseball game. Minor league teams tend to put on a wonderful show, have great prices and often have connections to the community that can provide additional entertainment or save you even more money. I go to far more minor league than major league games these days.
Buy tickets early at the box office. The cheapest way I’ve found to buy baseball tickets is to get them directly from the team stadium box office. If that’s an option for you, take advantage of it — it’s often the best way to get decent tickets at face value. It’s not worth driving a long distance to do it, but if you happen to be near the ballpark and are planning on seeing a game in the future, stop in and buy your tickets early, directly from the team. Buying tickets online usually means additional fees.
Focus on less expensive games and ballpark promotions. Of course if you can’t make it to the stadium, buying tickets online is the way to go. Stick to reputable ticket sellers when buying online — you’ll incur some fees, but the tickets will be legitimate. For extra savings, focus on less expensive games — for example, weekday games against non-rivals are almost always less expensive and less crowded, too. Teams often have other promotions on less-popular days to spike the numbers a little bit, so sometimes you can come away with something nifty like a bobblehead doll as an extra perk.
[See: 10 Fun, Frugal Ways to Spend Your Free Time.]
Enjoy the cheap seats. Don’t get hung up on finding the “perfect” seat at the park and definitely don’t spend a huge amount to get that perfect seat. The reality is that most seats at major league parks offer a pretty good view of the action, and on less crowded days, you can easily nab closer seats, since there will almost always be open spots.
Park away from the ballpark and use other methods to get there. There’s really no need to pay exorbitant prices for parking close to the ballpark. Find an inexpensive or free place to park away from the ballpark and then buy a bus or train ticket to get closer. Unless you’ve got a van full of people, this little trick will save you a bundle.
Bring your own water bottle. Most parks are perfectly fine with people bringing empty water bottles into the park, which can be refilled at water fountains. (Of course, check to see if the stadium you’re heading to allows this.) If you like flavored drinks, bring in a small container of flavoring — it’s still going to be drastically cheaper than buying beverages at the park.
Bring your own food, if it’s allowed. Some ballparks also allow fans to bring in their own food. If permitted, pack a picnic to enjoy.
Buy souvenirs elsewhere. Instead of buying overpriced souvenirs at the park, go elsewhere to purchase your hats, shirts, jerseys, baseball cards, pennants and other items. Off-site retailers are much more likely to offer deals. You’ll save a bundle, plus you can actually wear the gear to the game if you buy first!
These strategies alone have saved me hundreds — and likely thousands — of dollars on trips to the ballpark over the years. Hopefully they’ll help you save money, too.
[See: 10 Smart Ways to Spend Your Tax Refund.]
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How to Save Big at the Ballpark originally appeared on usnews.com