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