| More families are opting out of the great | | | | a major league star rehabbing from an injury in |
| American pastime of attending major league | | | | the minor leagues. Additionally, in some parts of |
| baseball games than ever before. Some are | | | | the country, minor league stadiums play host to |
| staying home and watching the games on | | | | major league teams during spring training. Thomas |
| television, but growing numbers of families are | | | | J. White stadium in Port St. Lucie, Florida is the |
| flocking to minor league ballparks. Minor league | | | | home of the Single A St. Lucie Mets during the |
| baseball attendance has grown every year, | | | | regular season, but in the spring it's the New York |
| reaching a record high 39 million during the 2005 | | | | Mets training facility.Fans often sit right along the |
| season. Major league attendance has continued to | | | | baselines with nothing separating them from |
| decline in many markets.Although many | | | | players but a railing. Players frequently sign |
| explanations have been offered by Major League | | | | autographs before and after the games. Because |
| Baseball including changing demographics and | | | | of the growing popularity of minor league baseball, |
| competition from other sports and entertainment | | | | teams have been able to build increasingly |
| venues, cost is an undeniable factor in lagging | | | | attractive stadiums with amenities that rival their |
| attendance. The average cost for a family of | | | | major league counterparts. Roger Dean Stadium in |
| four to attend a major league baseball game in | | | | Jupiter, Florida was built with the same |
| 2005 topped $170.00 for tickets, refreshments | | | | architecture and amenities as larger stadiums like |
| and souvenirs but not including parking. The cost | | | | Baltimore's Camden Yards and Turner Field in |
| for that same family to attend a minor league | | | | Atlanta but offers fans an intimate experience |
| baseball game in 2005 was $80.00, less than half | | | | that is not available at the larger parks.For more |
| the cost of attending a major league game.For | | | | casual fans, minor league teams offer |
| that price, minor league fans are treated to | | | | entertainment like performances by local music |
| performances by up-and-coming young stars who | | | | artists, fireworks and special promotions like disco |
| may be tomorrow's Barry Bonds or Alex | | | | night or Christian night. Some parks, like Hammons |
| Rodriguez. Minor league baseball follows the same | | | | Field in Springfield, Missouri, have children's play |
| rules as major league, and most minor league | | | | areas near the bullpens and on-field activities for |
| teams are associated with a major league team. | | | | children including running the bases, games and |
| Because of this association, minor league fans | | | | contests. |
| may occasionally be treated to an appearance by | | | | |