Rooting For the Home Team In Newark
Going to baseball games is one of my favorite summer activities, but a visit to a major league park is a serious investment. While I love my Yankees, spending $50 for a nosebleed seat and a hot dog isn’t always the most appealing way to see a game. Local minor league teams offer a thrifty alternative for a great summer outing.
A few weeks ago, I checked out the Newark Bears, an independent-league team whose stadium is situated right on Route 21/McCarter Highway. Admission was just $9 and I got great seats (really, when a stadium only holds 6,500 people, there are no bad seats). And I learned that games on Tuesdays boast buy-one-get-one-free admission at the gate, if you want to get even more economcial. They don’t hose you once you get in the park, either; my boyfriend and I only spent about another $20 or so to keep ourselves fed and full of beer for the duration. Bonus: draft beer gets slashed to $2 during the seventh inning, right before they stop selling it. We were a little disappointed with the food selection (basic burgers, dogs, pizza, ice cream bars), mostly because I swear I smelled funnel cake, but there was none to be found.
I had ordered my tickets ahead of time through the team’s website, which turned out to be wholly unnecessary. The park was less than half full, so I could’ve just paid at the gate and saved myself a couple bucks in processing fees. Poor attendance notwithstanding, we had a great time at the park. The facility was clean and in good shape, with plenty of bathrooms (another minor league perk: no lines!) and surprisingly pleasant employees. Transportation was easy, with a parking garage right next to the park that only charged $3. Many options for mass transit were also available.
The game itself was enjoyable, too. While not quite MLB caliber, the players were fun to watch. Both teams smacked a couple of home runs out of the standard-sized park. There was even an exciting play at the plate in which a base-runner slammed into the catcher and knocked him out (don’t worry, he was okay). And you never know when you might be watching a future major-leaguer - five Newark Bears pitchers have been sold to MLB teams.
While the game itself was fun, I could’ve done without the between-inning contests and activities. I know they want to keep the kids entertained, but games dripping with corporate sponsorship like “Put together a giant puzzle of the Applebee’s logo” and “Roll the giant Comcast die to win a prize” get a little tired.
One of the most pleasant surprises of the night was the fireworks display after the game, which they do every Friday. Since my July 4th experience had been rained out, I was extra excited to see some pyrotechnics. I wasn’t expecting much, but the display actually turned out to be pretty impressive. It lasted about fifteen minutes and produced plenty of ooh-and-aah moments.
If you’re looking for a cheap place to entertain your nephew, your out-of-town relatives, or even a date, minor league parks are the perfect warm-weather destination. Drop in on “the Den” and visit the Newark Bears, or see what the NJ Jackals, the Trenton Thunder, or the Lakewood Blueclaws have to offer. Baseball is better when you don’t need binoculars.
Riverfront Stadium
450 Broad St.
Newark
(866) 554-2327
http://www.newarkbears.com/
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Every summer I look forward to the state fair at the Meadowlands. My enthusiasm is chiefly based on my love for rickety carnival rides. Far more exciting than anything at a major theme park, the rides at the fair invoke that little, lingering fear that a structurally significant bolt will pop out at any moment.
