If The Sandlot is one of the movies on repeat in your house this summer like mine, then your summer of baseball is also in full swing. There is nothing better on a breezy summer evening than getting out to the ball game for some peanuts and dogs.
Unfortunately, things are crazy expensive in the world right now and spending hundreds of dollars to attend an MLB game isn’t always in the cards. I have the perfect solution for you! Go to a minor league game!!
The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers are a nearby Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Chicago White Sox. Don’t worry I don’t hold the White Sox thing against them as a Chicago Cubs fan.
We have been taking our boys to their games since we moved to North Carolina, and I can honestly say attending their games is one of our favorite family memories and traditions since the move.
The first benefit is that tickets are cheap! General admission tickets are $15 each, which means you can bring your whole family for cheaper than one ticket to an MLB game.
They also have deal nights like $2 Tuesdays, which provides a range of menu items for only two dollars, and Thirsty Thursdays where adult beverages are two dollars and a range of menu items are only three dollars. You can’t even buy fast food for that cheap these days!
Another benefit is that the ballparks at Minor League stadiums usually have more kid-friendly activities. Atrium Health Ballpark (home of the Cannon Ballers) has a huge rope play structure and splashpad that is available for play at every game.
My boys can get their energy out without annoying the other patrons by sprinting through the stands, which is huge! This also means we can get to the game early for any special promotion night because the kids have something to do prior to game start.
Finally, the outfield seating section is all grass and open to anyone. My kids spend half the game there playing tag and trying to catch the balls thrown into the section from players during inning warm-ups. And thankfully the players don’t disappoint, so Griff and Owen have many chances to bring home a ball from the game.
The cherry on top is that many nights are fireworks nights during the summer. So not only do we get a fun night at the ball game, but we also get a magical firework show for free. And who doesn’t love fireworks?!
If you are looking for something to get your baseball loving crew outside for some wholesome fun on the cheap, look no further than a minor league baseball game near you!
