Take Them Out to the Ballgame

Introduce the grandchildren to sports and you're golden forever. Don't forget the Cracker Jack!

With the advent of digital television and the availability of high-definition sets in nearly every price range, watching a sporting event on TV is almost like being there.

But really, there’s nothing like the experience of a live game, and having the opportunity to introduce your grandchild to sports by actually walking through the turnstiles instead of through the living room is a thrill you’ll both remember.

Ah, but where to start? The choices, indeed, are endless. And, even better than those high-def TV sets in nearly every price range, you can actually see some sporting events for free. Yes, free. More on that in a moment. Before even choosing a sport and securing tickets, there are several things to consider. First, the event should be age-appropriate. As much as you might love baseball, a typical nine-inning baseball game goes for three hours and has numerous stoppages in play. Baseball might become a tad boring after a few innings for a 4 year old — who might otherwise enjoy the nonstop action of hockey or basketball in an enclosed arena setting — but not for a 7-year-old who just started playing tee-ball.

Also, call the stadium or arena prior to purchasing tickets. Most of the major sporting venues have special family-seating sections where you can avoid the beer-swilling, foul-mouthed fans who can ruin your experience.

As game day draws near, build it up. Make a big deal about your grandchild's first game. For a youngster, the reality will live up to the hype. In fact, contact the respective team whose game you’ll be attending to see if you can get a message up on the giant scoreboard, especially if it’s a birthday greeting.

So, where to go? The four major professional sports leagues in the United States are at the top of the food chain. While it’s certainly great to build interest in a particular pro team, it’s expensive. According to Team Marketing Report, the average cost for a family of four — that’s two grandparents and two grandchildren — to attend a pro sporting event is $176.55 for a Major League Baseball game, $282.95 for the National Hockey League, $281.90 for the National Basketball Association, and $367.31 for a National Football League game. Individual team and ticket information can be found at the leagues’ respective websites: mlb.com, nfl.com, nhl.com, and nba.com.

But even if you have the wherewithal, that’s still a lot of money if Junior ends up falling asleep in the third inning. There are alternatives, however.

• Consider taking in a minor-league baseball game. While Major League Baseball has 30 franchises, there are 209 minor-league teams scattered throughout the U.S., Canada, and Mexico. Not only can you say you saw an up-and-coming player before he makes it to the big leagues, it’s cost-effective. Team Marketing Report’s average price of attending a minor-league game for a family of four is just $88.30. That includes two adult average-price tickets, two child average-price tickets, four small soft drinks, two small beers, four hot dogs, two programs, parking, and two adult-size caps. Moreover, minor-league games are chock full of things besides baseball. There are between-inning promotions, contests, and zany entertainment, including mascots who sign autographs for kids and lead them in such events as a conga line through the concourse of the stadium.

• One could also try the Women’s National Basketball Association. It’s a great summertime outing, with a short season that begins in May and ends in September. Aficionados believe that the basketball played in the WNBA is the purist form of the game, and the women employ skillful fundamentals far more than the men of the NBA. The league has 14 teams, and the games are filled with plenty of family-friendly entertainment during breaks in the action. Added bonus: Tickets are a fraction of the cost of NBA games, with some arenas charging as little as $10 a seat. Look for local promotions for even cheaper prices.

• Consider also the alternative sports as opposed to the big four. Between the Professional Golfers Association and the Ladies Professional Golf Association, there are nearly 80 tournaments around the country each year. Major League Soccer has 14 professional franchises across the U.S.

• Oh, we promised you that free information, didn’t we? Sports are not exclusively at the pro level. There are hundreds, if not thousands, of colleges across the country offering a plethora of athletics, from the big four to such diverse offerings as soccer, swimming, diving, tennis, gymnastics, field hockey, fencing, and more. And get this: Many of them can be seen on campus for free, which is just another fabulous way to introduce the grandchildren to a variety of sports. Check with your local college.

• You could also consider a high-school event, which would allow you to introduce the children to even more varied sports, also for free, such as volleyball, wrestling, and track and field.

• Finally, if you're involved in a sports program at the YMCA, a gym, or a local recreation center, consider bringing your grandchild. Make him or her a VIP for the day and offer a mini-lesson. You'll be building a sports enthusiast for a lifetime.