Major League Baseball is all over the news, and not in a good way. It's steroids this and contracts that. In fact, it's not about baseball at all.
Baseball is supposed to be America's pastime, and with opening-day matchups being its current focus, it's time that people realize what they can get out of a baseball game nowadays.
It's fun to watch the pennant and home run races on television, but it's hard to get away from the newest player testimony. It's exciting to spend the day at a major league ballpark, but it's impossible to do that without blowing half your paycheck before the third inning.
It's just as fun to take your family and friends out to watch your favorite farm team with a fraction of the controversy and for less than the cost of a movie.
I'm getting ready to start my second season at the minor league ballpark in South Bend, and I've seen some interesting things on the field. The South Bend Silver Hawks, like many other single A teams in moderately sized towns, gear their ballpark toward the casual fan. At the Cove, it's all about entertainment.
Ticket prices at Stanley Coveleski Regional Stadium, affectionately referred to by locals as "the Cove." are reasonable. You'll never spend more than $7 for a seat, and there's an opportunity for discounted admission nearly every game. This isn't just at the Cove either; all minor league ballparks are similar.
Some nights are even geared toward college students, like "Thirsty Thursdays," where you get $2 off admission with a student ID and $2 draft beer and soda. "Dollar Mondays" feature tickets, hot dogs and sodas all for, you guessed it, $1.
If you decide to bring your favorite youngster along, ages 5 and under are always free. Once you're in the ballpark they can meet the mascot Swoop or spend time in the Fun Zone, a play area for children. Keep in mind that no matter how old you are, it's a chance for everyone to get outside and remember what it feels like to be a kid.
Entertainment isn't hard to find at the Cove. When play is halted every half inning, fans are introduced to kids on the field racing the mascot or interns dancing on the dugout to ballpark favorites like "YMCA" and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame." Baseball fans can watch the hits on the field while the other spectators can watch everything else.
The entertainment doesn't stop when the game ends. The Cove played host to a world champion Korean karate troupe after one game. Another game featured a band of about 40 teenage boys and girls called the "Marching Cobras" who made you feel like you were watching a scene from "Drumline." Don't forget that every Friday night starting in May and the entire week of the Fourth of July feature a fireworks show after the game.
Sometimes, if you're really lucky, you might actually see someone you know on the field. Last year, South Bend was home to former Ball State University baseball player Brad Miller, who led the Midwest League in home runs for most of the season. Arizona's No. 1 draft pick Jarrod Parker will be joining the Silver Hawks' roster. Parker is the recent high school draft pick from Norwell, just outside of Fort Wayne.
Fans are more likely to know the kid in the motorized car racing down foul territory than the players on the field. That's OK. Kids in the stands may have never heard of the players whose autographs they're waiting to get on the $5 ball they bought at the souvenir stand with that week's allowance. They may not even remember a single player's name once they leave the stadium.
Minor League Baseball's tagline is "Major Fun," and the South Bend Silver Hawks promise "Big League Fun." That's what games are. They are a chance for kids of all ages to spend some time in a place where they don't have to worry about anything else. People can head to the ballpark on a warm summer night, spend a few dollars on a ticket, a hot dog and a beer and remember what it's like to not have a care in the world.
To get information about minor league baseball teams and find the one nearest you, visit www.minorleaguebaseball.com.
Mia Trimboli is a junior public relations major and writes 'Let's Talk About...' for the Daily News. Her views do not necessarily agree with those of the newspaper.
Write to Mia at mstrimboli@bsu.edu
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