Family Values: Blue Wahoos Ranked As One Of Minor's Best Values

Eight years into their existence, the Pensacola Blue Wahoos remain one of America's best bargains in minor league baseball.
The 2019 Minor League Baseball Fan-Cost Survey ranks the Blue Wahoos No. 149 out of the 160 included minor league teams in order from most-to-least expensive. The Fan-Cost Survey factors the cost of four tickets, four hot dogs, four drinks, and parking to produce an overall cost for a family of four to attend a game.
The Blue Wahoos per-game average cost for a family of four is $51.00, far below the MiLB average of $69.60, placing the franchise among the top 15 best bargains nationwide.
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats, the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays, along with the Las Vegas Aviators, the Triple-A affiliate of the Oakland A's, are the most expensive in minor league baseball at $100 apiece.
"That's so great to hear," said Blue Wahoos owner Quint Studer. " It shows how we have been able to keep our costs low and yet provide a great experience for fans.
"When we started this team, we did so with the intention of keeping it affordable in relation to our demographics. We have resisted raising ticket prices and concession prices to keep that fan experience affordable."
Of the 10 teams ranked less expensive than the Blue Wahoos, seven teams are in the Appalachian League, a short-season Rookie League, the lowest level of the minor leagues included.
"The brand for minor league baseball is providing that family-friendly fun and making it affordable," said Donna Kirby, the Blue Wahoos vice president of operations. "So I think all of the teams are sensitive to what we can do. But we go to extra lengths to make sure we are actually trying to keep a cap on those prices for families."
In comparison, the average per-ticket price in 2018 for a Major League Baseball game ranged from $58.57 (Chicago Cubs) to $19.65 (Arizona Diamondbacks). When adding the cost for family of four with parking, hot dog, soda or beer, the cost goes well over $200.00 for the top tier teams.
"When you talk about a family of four going to see a ballgame, if you are talking about the Yankees, for example, you might as well take out a second mortgage," said Kirby, jokingly. "Coming here, we have $1 menus, we have a Blue Angels kids value pack, it's a hot dog, chips and soda for five dollars, the kids are going to come out and play and have a good time. That's affordable."
In the MiLB Fan-Cost Survey, many teams were listed with free parking. The Blue Wahoos, who do not control the parking around the stadium, were listed at $5. If fans choose to utilize the many free parking options around the stadium, the Blue Wahoos per-game average cost falls to the seventh lowest in the Minor Leagues.