Take Me To The Game

Why the Popularity of the MLB is On the Rise

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

I love baseball, but it's come to the point where I can't even find it on my local TV stations. It's been put on some random cable station because ratings are so bad. Still, when I try to take my family to a game, the stadium is filled and ticket prices are outrageous.

What's with the paradox?

Sincerely,

Baseball Chick

Dear Baseball Chick,

There's a reason that MLB game attendance is up, but TV ratings are holding steady -- and it's not a paradox. It has to do with the fact that families -- of all sorts -- are here to stay in spite of divorce record highs. And while families are here to stay, so too is family entertainment and that means more family movies (have you noticed that G isn't just a key on the piano any more?), more game attendance of all kinds, and more family restaurants and gatherings like coffee shops instead of bars where the 21 and under factor is nowhere to be seen -- or charged on a tab!

Baseball is a great way to entertain a date or a family or a part time family -- custody and visitation time is a perfect excuse for a baseball game -- and dads aren't the only ones taking their kids to the batting cages or the MLB games these days. Moms and single moms, especially, are trying to keep up where dad often left off, and they know their way around sports arenas in ways that our grandmothers never did.

In addition, girlfriends and wives are taking up the "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" motto, and buying tickets for their men for birthdays, father's day, and just because men love it and they love their men. When you think of all the compromises a woman can or does make for her man, hanging at a baseball game is really not the worst thing in the world. In fact ....

The MLB snack stands have enticed more families to enjoy the day by offering up more than the traditional hot dogs and beer. You can get all sorts of food at the ball park these days from fresh sushi to salads to gourmet pizza -- the trip to the hot dog stand during the seventh inning stretch can take on the thrill of a shopping spree at the mall food court and that pulls in lots of kids and traditional non-MLB attendees because how bad can the day be with a box of sushi, a mineral water, some sunscreen and a little entertainment -- plus a happy family?

As for television baseball -- the numbers are not declining, but the competition is up for TV watching. There are so many more channels (thank-you technology) and venues for entertainment, that even eating contests can be found on ESPN these days. There's a lot to choose from when you're watching TV. But for a reasonably priced ticket, a reasonably priced meal, and a day in the sun, the bang for the buck in terms of a date or a family outing makes MLB games a sure winner -- regardless of how your team does.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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