Baseball Is Back

While it seemed unlikely in the depths of the lockout, Major League Baseball returned to stadiums across the country this spring a mere one week behind schedule. Here’s to the millionaire players and billionaire owners for finding enough mutual ground to spare fans a devastating work stoppage.

The harsh reality remains, however, that a trip to the ballpark can be a pricey excursion, the days of cheap bleacher seats have gone the way of the spitter. That said, there are ways to shave a few dollars off going to see Casey at the bat.

Purchase Game Day Tickets: This strategy is most effective if your favorite team is accustomed to playing home games before a half-empty stadium, such as the Oakland A’s or Cincinnati Reds. Strolling up to the box office just before or even after the ump yells “Play ball!” can save you plenty, as clubs at that moment want nothing more than to get you in a seat and sell you a beer and dog. And no online fees to worry about.

Pick Your Day, Pick Your Time, Pick Your (Opposing) Team: With many clubs having instituted “flex pricing” policies for the most desirable weekend games — say, the New York Yankees vs. Boston Red Sox or San Francisco Giants vs. Los Angeles Dodgers — there are real bargains to be had attending midweek contests, particularly afternoon games, in which your favorite team squares off against one that’s not a traditional rival.

Sit in the Cheap Seats: Not surprisingly, the best seats in the house — directly behind home plate, along the first- and third-base lines — tend to be the most expensive. Likewise, clubs sometimes jack up ticket prices for day-game seats in the shade, particularly as summer wears on. There are as a result bargains awaiting the brave and hardy who can stand the heat and don’t mind being a tad removed from the action. The latter, in particular, is no big deal, given the number of highlights shown every game on the stadium’s massive screens. As for the former, bring a hat, sunblock and stay hydrated.

B.Y.O.S.: That stands for Bring Your Own Snacks. Most teams these days allow patrons to bring in their own peanuts and Cracker Jacks, though some restrictions might apply. Do a little research to see what your team allows. It’s a great way to avoid the stadium’s sharp markup.

Forget Stadium Gear: With every MLB club operating in a major metro area, there are likely plenty of local retailers happy to sell you licensed gear such as shirts and caps for far less than you’d pay at the park.

At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.