| Tickets to a Major League Baseball game can be | | | | Most teams have special ticket promotions |
| a little confusing to buy if you don't go to many | | | | throughout the year, although some are more |
| games. Sure the pricing is straightforward, but are | | | | aggressive than others. Generally there are |
| you going to have a good view? The fact is that | | | | certain days of the week where a team lowers |
| some $25 tickets are much better than others; | | | | prices or offers coupons because of low demand. |
| even in the same stadium. | | | | If you check the team website, these days and |
| I am going to focus on 3 factors; comfort, price, | | | | dates are clearly laid out. Use that information to |
| and experience. These may not all be applicable to | | | | plan ahead when you are going to a game. This |
| you, but hopefully it gets you thinking in the right | | | | can save you significant money; especially when |
| direction. | | | | you are taking a family to a baseball game. |
| Comfort | | | | Experience |
| Sun/Shade | | | | Get A View |
| The boys of summer tend to play when it's hot | | | | The influx of new ballparks have led to some |
| outside. This is especially true of a day game in | | | | pretty cool surroundings near the stadium. The |
| July. I have been to many day games where I | | | | nice thing is you can often times have a view of |
| would rather sit on the last row of the stadium to | | | | something other than the game. I personally like |
| be in the shade than sit on the front row and | | | | this because it just adds to the experience. For |
| bake in the sun. If you have kids whining, this is | | | | example, some sections can: see the Rocky |
| even more important. For day and evening games | | | | Mountains in Colorado, View the boats on the Ohio |
| there are always sections in the shade. You can | | | | in Cincinnati, and view downtown Pittsburgh at a |
| look at a Google map to see the direction the | | | | Pirate game. |
| ballpark faces and where the sun is going to set. | | | | Another thing you should try to have a view of is |
| If the sun is in your face for the first 5 innings, it | | | | the jumbo screen. Usually this is in the outfield, |
| really gets annoying. | | | | but it could be in right, left, or center depending |
| Are you a "big" fan? | | | | on the stadium. If you sit right in front of the |
| If you are a little on the heavy side, you may | | | | jumbo tron you won't be able to see all of the |
| have had to squeeze into a seat before and | | | | mid-inning entertainment and replays throughout |
| never want to do it again. There is comfortable | | | | the game. Teams are getting really clever with |
| seating available for overweight people at most | | | | what is shown up there, so you can really miss |
| Major League ballparks now. Many stadiums have | | | | quite a bit if you can't see it. |
| rows where the aisle seat has an arm rest which | | | | Get a good sightline |
| flips up, or isn't even there in the first place. This | | | | I wrote an in depth article about this topic alone, |
| allows you to spread out a little without crowding | | | | but if you pick the wrong seats in the wrong |
| the person next to you. Don't be afraid or | | | | section, people will walk in front of you all game |
| embarrassed to ask the ticket office about this | | | | long. This gets really frustrating because at most |
| seating option; many times its on a handicapped | | | | ballparks, many people there don't care much |
| row, but you don't need to be disabled to sit | | | | about the actual game. I will try to summarize a |
| there. | | | | couple of good points on how you can minimize |
| You can also ask about Standing Room Only | | | | this problem. |
| tickets. Newer ballparks are adding stand up bar | | | | 1. If you are sitting down the lines, sit near the |
| areas where it's more like "leaning room only" | | | | aisle furthest from home plate. You may have |
| where you can put your food and drinks as well. | | | | trouble envisioning this, but people on the other |
| This may be more comfortable for you if the | | | | end of the row will have those walking up and |
| seats get tight. | | | | down the aisle right in their face all game long. |
| Price | | | | 2. If sitting in the upper deck, sit in the first row |
| Buy Late | | | | or two (usually) or sit near the top. Many front |
| Buying late can help you find a good deal. This is | | | | rows actually have the section entrance behind |
| true if you buy on eBay, as many sellers try to | | | | them, so nobody walks in front of you. Sitting |
| unload tickets close to the event and end up | | | | near the top usually means very few people end |
| taking a hit because of increased competition. You | | | | up walking that high, so again you have an |
| can also buy from scalpers around the first inning | | | | unobstructed view. |
| and they have a little more urgency to sell | | | | I hope that this article equipped you with some |
| because they just want to get something out of | | | | solid guidelines so you find the best bang for your |
| the tickets. Many times in both of these scenarios | | | | buck the next time you buy baseball tickets. If |
| you can find tickets below face value. | | | | you need stadium specific details, see below. |
| Plan Ahead | | | | |