Its as American as apple pie, but if the average American family wants to enjoy it, they’re going to have to fork out the cost of an entire shopping cart’s worth of food for it. Baseball, our nation’s favorite pastime, is more expensive than ever. Ticket prices for major league games across the country have gone up. The average price for a ticket this season to a Chicago Cubs’ game is $52.56.
A company called Team Marketing Report surveyed ballparks around the country to get an idea of what it would take for the average family of four to get 2 adult tickets, 2 child tickets, 2 small beers, 4 small soft drinks, 4 hot dogs, parking, 2 programs and 2 caps. Its called the 2010 Fan Cost Index. The Boston Red Sox knock it out of the ballpark, with the highest price of $334.78. The Chicago Cubs come in second…not for their abilities on the field, but for price… at $329.74. Still, diehard fans say its worth the cost. “Its expensive, but if they’re winning, I’ll pay for it” says Cubs’ fan Mark Glisco, who came to Opening Day with his two sons. “This is what I spend my spare money on. As long as I can afford it, I’ll keep buying tickets” says Tarey Dane.
Tom Ricketts, whose family just bought the Cubs ballclub, says a lot of changes and improvements have been made to the park this year, and now “ambassadors” have been hired to improve the fan experience, by showing people to their seats and how to find the bathroom with the shortest line.