There’s no way around it — bringing your grandchildren to a major league baseball game is an expensive proposition.

But it’s not nearly as expensive as the other major professional sports, and bargains are almost certain to be had if you look in the right places.

According to Team Marketing Report, the average cost of a ticket to an MLB game will be $25.40 in 2008, up 10.9 percent from last year. The Fan Cost Index (FCI) of taking a family of four to a game is now $191.75, up 8.3% from 2007.

The Chicago-based Team Marketing Report is the leading publisher of sports marketing and sponsorship information. It has produced its exclusive FCI reports for 16 years, using the average of two adult ticket prices; two children’s tickets; four small soft drinks; two small beers; four hot dogs; two programs; parking; and two adult-sized caps.

Although the increases in the average ticket price and the FCI are the highest for MLB since 2001, attending a baseball game is still something of a bargain compared with the National Football League, the National Hockey League, and the National Basketball Association.

The average cost of a family of four to attend an NBA game this season is $281.90. It’s $282.95 to go to an NHL game, and it was $367.31 to see an NFL game last year, according to Team Marketing Report.

The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox continue to have baseball’s priciest ticket. The Red Sox’s average price of $48.80 is a 10.1% jump from last year. The team’s Fan Cost Index total of $320.71 is more than $60 higher than the No. 2 team, the New York Yankees.

But there are ways to cut costs at certain games. For instance, the Tampa Bay Rays do not charge for parking for cars with four or more people. Group-sales tickets, or those purchased in bulk, are discounted by virtually every team. Many businesses also offer employees tickets for less than face value, and many organizations sponsor bus trips, which can cut down on gas and parking. Eleven of the 30 MLB teams have average ticket prices under $20.

Another tip: Just as Disney World T-shirts and memorabilia that are less expensive outside the park, there are often sports shops near the ballpark that sell discounted merchandise such as caps.