| 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. |
| season. Major league attendance has continued to | | | | Fans often sit right along the baselines with |
| decline in many markets. | | | | nothing separating them from players but a railing. |
| Although many explanations have been offered | | | | Players frequently sign autographs before and |
| by Major League Baseball including changing | | | | after the games. Because of the growing |
| demographics and competition from other sports | | | | popularity of minor league baseball, teams have |
| and entertainment venues, cost is an undeniable | | | | been able to build increasingly attractive stadiums |
| factor in lagging attendance. The average cost for | | | | with amenities that rival their major league |
| a family of four to attend a major league baseball | | | | counterparts. Roger Dean Stadium in Jupiter, |
| game in 2005 topped $170.00 for tickets, | | | | Florida was built with the same architecture and |
| refreshments and souvenirs but not including | | | | amenities as larger stadiums like Baltimore's |
| parking. The cost for that same family to attend | | | | Camden Yards and Turner Field in Atlanta but |
| a minor league baseball game in 2005 was $80.00, | | | | offers fans an intimate experience that is not |
| less than half the cost of attending a major | | | | available at the larger parks. |
| league game. | | | | For more casual fans, minor league teams offer |
| For 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 | | | | |