10 Most Expensive Trips to the Ballgames in 2012
The price of the average ticket to a Major League Baseball game hasn't changed since last season, holding at $26.98. It's a somewhat different story when it comes to the price of taking a family of four to a game and paying for parking, a program, a cap, a hot dog, a soft drink and a beer. The cost of the whole package is up 2.5% to $207.80, according to Team Marketing Report's Fan Cost Index.
Even early in the season, there are some fans taking a bigger loss on the cost of a ticket than others. We looked over the standings and found 10 teams whose ticket prices are hitting well above the league average:
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10. Chicago White Sox
Average ticket price: $29
What happens when your high-priced squad fails to make the playoffs, loses its marquee coach and pitcher and goes into rebuilding mode? The Sox dropped ticket prices by an average of 28.7% for 2012 in what almost seems like an apology.
9. Miami Marlins
Average ticket price: $29.62
The former Florida Marlins have a new name, a new hangar-like ballpark, a new manager in Ozzie Guillen, a new documentary special on Showtime and a new crop of free agents, including former Mets shortstop Jose Reyes and Chicago pitching mainstays Mark Buehrle and Carlos Zambrano. All that "new" comes at a 55.4% premium from last season, while the cost of a day at the park for a family of four including concessions, souvenirs and parking jumped 42.4%. At least they now have the world's ugliest lawn ornament for their trouble.
8. Washington Nationals
Average ticket price: $30.54
Ticket prices in D.C. dropped last year and have held steady this year, but ticket value has skyrocketed. Behind a young, healthy pitching staff and new manager Davey Johnson, the Nationals have surged to the top of the NL East and are showing some early potential.