Thrifty Thursday: Take Me Out to the Ball Game

Otherwise known as “Baseball Season” in the McFrugalpants household.

We live in a house divided. My “baseball savant” husband and “pitcher” son are both Chicago White Sox Fans boo hiss. I, on the other hand, am a Jeter New York Yankees fan.

Of course, those are both major league teams. Taking a family of three (or 4 or more) out to the ole’ ball game can cost about as much as a small vacation! Once you add up the tickets, food, transportation, parking, pennants, etc., I’m talking way over a hundred or hundreds of dollars depending on where you sit and how much beer you drink.

One thing the three of us DO agree on, is how much we enjoy Minor League and Independent team baseball. The parks are small, interactive and very family oriented. The ticket prices? CHEAP! We like to frequent the South Bend Silverhawks who is the minor league team for the Arizona Diamondbacks. It’s about a 40 minute drive from our house. Tickets are $6.00 each with parking of $4.00 or free on the street if you get there early enough. The park is always doing some sort of promotion whether it be Fireworks Friday, Canines at the Cove or Mustache Appreciation Night (hee hee).

Our first Canine Night at the Cove. They even give you a water dish and doggie “bag.”

Not only do they offer the “fun” promotions, they have several money saving options as well.

• Dollar Mondays – $1.00 hot dogs, Pepsi products and bleacher seat tickets
• Twofer Tuesdays – Buy two tickets for the price of one with online purchase. Also on Tuesdays, if you bring in a KRAFT singles wrapper, tickets are buy one get one FREE!
• Wacky Wednesdays - Crazy theme nights and also, unused ticket night. Meaning, if you have a ticket that wasn’t used for a previous game, you can bring it in and they’ll replace it for you!
• Thirsty Thursdays - $1.00 Draft beers and Pepsi products
• Souvenir Saturdays - Premium giveaway and souvenir stand discounts

So, as you can see, it doesn’t cost and arm and a leg to have some summertime family fun. Be sure to check Minorleaguebaseball.com to see if there is a ball park in your area. Also, whether it be Major or Minor league, always check your favorite team’s website for their promotional (usually free) kids clubs. So far this year, my son has recieved 2 free tickets to the White Sox (with a kids packet) and 2 free tickets to the Gary Railcats. We missed the sign up date for the Silverhawks tickets but DID notice that Tropicana Juicy Rewards has Joliet Jackhammers tickets buy one get one free. A few years back, he even got a free t-shirt at the Harrisburg Senators game. The savings are everywhere!

Be sure to get yours!

“…Buy me some peanuts and crack-er jacks…”