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