Big League Stew - MLB

Flush with cash these days? Have a little extra cheese to spend? Always wanted to call yourself a Yankees seaon ticket holder? Well, you're in luck!

Over on Yankees.com, they're advertising that there's still time to be a part of the inaugural season ticket holder class at new Yankee Stadium. Yes, for only $26,325 (plus additional shipping and packaging and online fees) you can own tickets for a field level seat to all 81 home games in 2009.

Busting out the ol' abacus, that works out to be exactly $325 each game, or roughly the amount CC Sabathia will receive for each dugout step he climbs to the field. Of course, if you want to bring anybody, the price doubles, so you'd be on the hook for $650 each game —  a luxury car payment, really — before you even think about buying an overpriced beer, a replica Mark Teixeira jersey or town car service to avoid rubbing shoulders with the plebes while riding the subway.

Dumbfounded? Blown away?  Just remembering your kid who wants to go to college? Rethinking that expenditure? But still interested in the honor and prestige of being called a season ticket holder, nonetheless? Well, you're still in luck!

Turns out that there are 29 other teams in the league that also play baseball and some even offer full season ticket plans that cost much less than your two tickets to just one game at new Yankee Stadium. The Yankees even come to town to play some of these teams, so it's conceivable you could fly to a city, stay at a nice hotel and maybe even have a few nice meals for much less than the cost of just one homestand in the Bronx.

Here on the Stew, we've taken the liberty of collecting information on baseball's cheapest season ticket plans and posting it below. Almost all of them cost less than two field level seats to new Yankee Stadium and some of them are even cheaper than just one seat.

Sure, it's not quite the filet mignon they're serving up in the Bronx, but you'd be surprised at some of the quality teams that are offering bargains. Plus, the bases are still 90 feet apart, the pitchers' mound is still 60 feet, 6 inches from home plate and the surrounding 'hood might even smell a little better than the one around Yankee Stadium.

So who has the cheapest season ticket plans in all of baseball?

Cheapest season ticket in baseball: Blue Jays* — $95 season pass

OK, so this one's a bit misleading. The Jays' season pass isn't a season ticket, per se. Rather, it's a card that will get you into all 81 home games if the holder shows up to the ticket window at least 45 minutes before game time, he or she gets to sit in a 500-level seat that day. Not exactly an ideal plan for those who might get tied up at work, but fantastic for those who like to show up early and for people who enjoy attending random games while cashing in on a serious bargain. Plus you never have to worry about getting rid of your extras.

OK, now the cheapest guaranteed full season ticket plans. (Prices are per seat.)

1. Braves — $249 upper pavilion: Not only do the Braves have the cheapest "true" season-ticket plan, they also feature another section in Turner Field priced at $415 for a season seat, while three other sections are offered at a "Buy Two, Get Two Free" rate that is becoming very popular with many teams.  

2. Twins — $250 'season cheap seats': The opportunity to see the M&M Lumber Co. at just $3.08 a game has to rank as one of sport's best bargains, especially since it'll qualify you for postseason tickets you might actually get to use. However, you'll have to spend 81 soul-sucking days inside the Metrodome when you could be outside in during the 17 beautiful days of Minnesota summer. Also, your purchase won't qualify you for priority seating when Target Field opens next season.

3. Dodgers — $336 top deck: An absolutely unreal price for a major-market team, but the price is somewhat offset by the top deck's blimp-type view, the Chavez Ravine rowdies you'll have to endure and the chance that your thirst for a good deal is preventing the McCourts from getting the Manny Ramirez deal done. Still, blue-clad beggars can't be choosers and Vin Scully comes in just as clear on your transistor up in the Dodger Stadium cheap seats.

4. Pirates —  $399 Left, right and outfield grandstand:  Sure, you'll have to stomach an entire season of watching the Pirates play, but you'll also be able to enjoy warm summer nights at PNC Park (right), one of the best ballparks in the majors. Being stuck in the upper deck isn't a problem, either. The park's highest seat is only 88 feet above the field (an MLB best) and you'll get a great view of downtown Pittsburgh and on promotional firework nights.  

5. Diamondbacks — $415 outfield reserve:The D'backs play in one of America's most struggling economies and a lot has been written about how they plan to stay afloat in such a market. But for around $5 a game, you can sit in the corners of Chase Field's upper deck and enjoy other cost-cutting measures the team is instituting — from $8 hats and t-shirts to $1.50 hot dogs for kids. 

6. Royals — $567 view level: When I lived in Kansas City, the cheap Hy-vee View Level seats were always the solution for a nightly boredom problem. Not that I ever sat in the seats, of course. Lax ushers at Kauffman Stadium and an average attendance of below 20,000 means you can usually sit wherever you want. (Honestly, the only times you'll need to climb to the upper deck seats is if the Yankees, Red Sox or Cardinals are in town.)

7. A's — $584 plaza reserved: Oakland Coliseum may not be the best place to watch a game, but it's great in the fact that you can sit by dedicated diehards if you wish or choose an entire section to yourself if you're into a more laidback atmosphere. All for under $8 a game. 

8. Reds — $591 bleachers: You won't be able to see the scoreboard or HD screen all season long without turning and craning your neck skyward. But at least you're in the lower level and, again, who says you have to sit there?

9. Marlins — $607 "Fish Tank"Seems like this package should be a lot cheaper, given that the Marlins averaged an MLB-worst 16,688 fans in 2008. Then again, the Yankees are coming to town for a 2003 World Series rematch this year and we've seen what the presence of pinstripes can do to the overall price of a season plan.

10. Rockies — $648 left and right field reserved: Seats in Coors Field famed "Rock Pile" are only $4, but they're not available for purchase in a season ticket package. That means you'll have to settle for enjoying your Blue Moon and an order of Rocky Mountain oysters while sitting (at least a little) closer to the field. 

11. Giants — $672 "Gamer": Would you eventually tire of 40-degree games in June and overdose on your mainline of garlic fries? Yes. Would you ever get tired of being guaranteed tickets every time Tim Lincecum takes the mound at AT&T Park? Not a chance. (Plus you might get a shot at a Crazy Crab bobblehead, which you could easily sell on eBay to make up the $22 overage between this plan and two Yankees tickets.)

12. Rays — $748 upper deck: OK, so there's almost a $100 difference between an entire season of Rays baseball and one parking-, food- and beer-free game at Yankee Stadium. But an American League pennant is worth the extra cost ... wouldn't you say?

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22 Comments

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  1. Rob Iracane
    1. Posted by Rob Iracane Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:24 pm EDT

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    Obstructed view seats in the bleachers at the New Yankee Stadium are $405 for the full season.
    Take that, Diamondbacks outfield reserve!
  2. ScottyJ
    2. Posted by ScottyJ Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:10 pm EDT

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    If you got it Flaunt it!
  3. Duk
    3. Posted by 'Duk Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Do they sell those tickets in a season ticket package, Mr. Iracane? Or are they treated like the Rockies' $4 rockpile seats and only sold on game days? According to the Yankees website, the only season tickets still available for purchase are the ones that cost $26K per ... Can't imagine why they'd have a surplus ...
  4. mikez34
    4. Posted by mikez34 Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:20 pm EDT

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    Thank God I'm not a yankee fan
  5. tonyarob
    5. Posted by tonyarob Thu Sep 03, 2009 6:57 pm EDT

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    PT Barnum would be stunned.
  6. Rob Iracane
    6. Posted by Rob Iracane Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:24 pm EDT

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    I'm not sure if those tickets are available in a season ticket package (if they are, they're sold out like the rest of the Stadium), but some of the regularly-priced $12 bleacher seats are indeed sold as a season plan. Either way, $5 is a decent price to sit among the rabble-rousing wretches and watch half the game on TV.
  7. RIPSHIZZLE
    7. Posted by RIPSHIZZLE Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:06 pm EDT

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    The yankees are so overrated and overpaid. they will pay all that money and still suck. no one can run a team like ken holland in detroit. (red wings). go tigers!!!
  8. bob hope
    8. Posted by bob hope Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:33 pm EDT

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    We wonder why we're in a recession...
  9. The Champiiiin
    9. Posted by The Champiiiin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    Duk those tickets can be bought as a season package and are long gone, sold weeks or months ago. The only season tickets left to be bought in the new stadium are those 350 per seats. The rest of the cheaper plans and lesser game plans (mind you that 350 seat is about 1/4 the price of the most expensive seat) have been gobbled up already, with quite of a few of those people who used to reside in those 350 seats going to cheaper seats, which domino'd down the line (pushing cheaper plan holders out of their previous seats). The yankees saw an increase of 20% in season tickets this year, which was up 5% in 08 from 07. I'd imagine they have easily sold well over 3 million seats already. Basically the only tickets left to yankee stadium are the 5k or so they have to leave untouched for general admission (have fighting online for one of those) and the $350 seats.
    google yankee stadium relocation plan (ie season ticket holders)
  10. David B
    10. Posted by David B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Hey Duk,
    The Blue Jays Seson pass is a better deal than you think. You are guaranteed entry if you show up 45 minutes before (even for Red Sox and Yankees), but if there's tix available you can get them right before the game, or even partway through the game (one time I just showed up for the extra innings against the Rays. Gregg Zaun hit a grand slam!) Also, I didn't get a thing of vouchers last year, but a handy dandy plastic card. It's the best!
  11. Duk
    11. Posted by 'Duk Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:07 pm EDT

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    Davey B. Thanks for the info. How's the view from the seats?
  12. David B
    12. Posted by David B Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    Most days, right behind home plate. But very far away. Sometimes its fun to watch an inning or two from the 100 level though, standing in the concourse.
  13. eight inches
    13. Posted by eight inches Thu Sep 03, 2009 10:37 pm EDT

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    For $26,000 dollars I can help the economy and buy a Ford Ranger.
  14. Brett K
    14. Posted by Brett K Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:04 pm EDT

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    I am a 1/4 Season ticket holder with the Royals and i sit front row lower level and only pay like $1,200 for two seats. Plus my seats are guaranteed every year I renew. This is a much cheaper option for all fans going through rough economic times, or like me live an hour away from teh stadium.
    DOWN WITH TICKET BROKERS!!!!!
    The owners see what brokers get for tickets and just jack up thier prices.
    P.S.- The Yankees Empire will fall with these ticket prices once the thrill of a new stadium wears off. The stadium is too big, Even if the prices drop (HA, HA, HA),there wont be the demand. Most new baseball stadium have been reducing seating capacity, to create demand. That is the same with NBA and NHL.
  15. The Champiiiin
    15. Posted by The Champiiiin Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:43 pm EDT

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    The yankees have set attendance records for at least the last two years selling over 4 million tickets in each of the last Four seasons, I'd say demand is doing ok. Sadly the yankees did reduce seating in the new stadium by a couple of thousand seats, which, in part, led to some hassle in the relocation of season tickets from stadium to stadium, that and a large increase in demand for full season tickets. Everyone who had a plan got offered a plan in the new stadium, I'd say that's were the similarities in yankee tickets and royal tickets would end as the yankees were first in attendance and the royals were second to last, a slight 2,719,733 less tickets sold.
    The whole entry is comparing apples and oranges, the dodgers have a seat that costs over 1k per, I'm sure the sox and mets tickets behind homeplate and the dugouts fetch decent coin and it's be shown you can take in a yankee game on the cheap (from distance). How it is surprising the most famous franchise in the world, with the highest payroll, has expensive seats is beyond me.
  16. Clare
    16. Posted by Clare Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:26 pm EDT

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    I love the Jays' "Season Pass" idea. I like having ticket stubs as proof that I went to big games, but it'd be great to have a RFID card you can swipe over the turnstile, like the DC Metro.
    Each card would be assigned to the ticket-holder, and it'd be programed with the games in your season ticket package. They could even program your card to recognize extra games you purchased outside your ticket package. I'd only have to carry one card in my wallet instead of remembering to rip a ticket off my strip before I leave for work in the morning (for weeknight games I go right from work to the ballpark).
  17. Jeremiah B
    17. Posted by Jeremiah B Thu Sep 03, 2009 4:33 pm EDT

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    the yankees will never have an attendance problem. their team may suck and be overpaid, yes, but as a yankee fan who has lived in the general area my whole life, i know just how hard it has become to get a decent seat at a yankee game. i would never be able to afford to blow 26K on baseball tix, but inevitably there are enough people who can. you forget that connecticut and new jersey are right next to new york and contain most of the wealthiest people in the country (along with California). they will fill the seats, no problem... and the yankees will also always at least contend for a championship, unless the mindset of the ownership drastically changes. the teams mentioned above will only sporadically contend, if at all, and unfortunately that's how the business of baseball works.
  18. eyebleaf
    18. Posted by eyebleaf Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:57 pm EDT

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    The Jays are winning the pennant.
  19. PRQ
    19. Posted by PRQ Thu Sep 03, 2009 3:30 pm EDT

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    Re: the Jays' Season Pass. Your card doesn't actually get you into the stadium; it gets you a ticket at the box office. So you do in fact end up with a ticket stub, although not a particularly glamorous one.
    The 'Dome isn't the most aesthetically pleasing stadium around, and the 500 level is pretty high up, but the sightlines are fantastic, especially within the first five or ten rows. It's a great deal.
  20. johnR
    20. Posted by johnR Thu Sep 03, 2009 8:12 pm EDT

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    Im a Yankee fan Im sure glad i live in Scranton So i can see the AAA Yanks and not have to pay Unreal amounts of money
  21. Luke M
    21. Posted by Luke M Thu Sep 03, 2009 7:00 pm EDT

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    Throw in the Cardinals "First Pitch" tickets. $11 for a pair, so that's 5.50 a ticket. $445.50 a season if you get in line for the ticket window before each game. Worst case its standing room, but I've had my share of field box seats.
  22. Rob
    22. Posted by Rob Thu Sep 03, 2009 9:44 pm EDT

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    This is awesome. I hope a lot of people see these deals and go for them. It would be nice to watch Baseball Tonight and see more fans in the stands.
    Think about it -- wouldn't you feel better about the economy if more people went to games this year than last year? I honestly think that it could provide the momentum needed to turn around the economy.
    I agree -- DOWN WITH TICKET BROKERS. Anyone who buys a ticket off Stubhub is either desperate or retarded.

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Big League Stew is an MLB blog edited by Kevin Kaduk. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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