MinorLeagueBaseball

Baseball is an integral part of summer: the emerald field, the amazing arch of a home run ball, beer and hotdogs, hope and disappointment. But for those on limited budgets, the costs of attending a Major League game can be prohibitive.

Minor League Baseball, with most tickets running less than $10.00, is a good alternative if you want the feel and all thrills of professional baseball without the high prices. There are other advantages to attending a Minor League game: the smaller parks afford better views and a more intimate experience. Players too are usually more accessible and willing to sign autographs before games.

Although only a small percentage of Minor league players will make it to the big leagues, they play with heart and hope. At the triple-A level, the highest class of Minor League play, the chances are much greater that you will see some of the future stars of the big leagues, or at times, a current star who is spending time in the minors while recuperating from injuries.

Although all Minor League teams are affiliated with Major League teams, they have their own unique personalities. Some have picturesque names such as the Montgomery Biscuits and the Winston-Salem Warthogs. Many of the mascots are equally unique: The Cedar Rapids Kernels have Mr. Shucks, a baseball-headed ear of corn.

There are Minor League teams in almost every state of the US and in Alberta and British Columbia in Canada.

For a list of all Minor League Baseball teams, visit the Minor League Baseball Official Site