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Letter to the editor

Major fun, minor-league parks

By DEMORRIS A. LEE
Published June 10, 2007

John Lewis Turner III beamed with excitement as he stood in center field Sunday afternoon listening to the national anthem.

Next, Clearwater Thresher center fielder Mike Spindale chatted with the 11-year-old baseball player from Tampa and signed his baseball.

"It was pretty cool, " John said of being in the outfield of Bright House Networks Field with a professional ballplayer. "No, it wasn't cool. It was awesome."

The trip on the field was part of John's Pony League baseball team's season-ending party.

Joshua Wassermann, 8, of St. Petersburg was having just as good of a time as the Threshers played host to the Palm Beach Cardinals. Joshua and his dad alternate between Threshers and Tampa Bay Devil Rays home games. Joshua favors the Threshers.

"The field is outside and it's an open field, " Joshua said, leaving the concession stands with his father. "I like that. And I like the Kids Zone."

Joshua's father, Jesse, likes the open field, but he also enjoys that tickets are cheaper, and there's easy access to the concessions.

That's the draw for many to the pair of minor league ballparks in northern Pinellas County. Fans at both the Clearwater Threshers and the Dunedin Blue Jays games get an affordable outing for families.

Sure there's a game. But there's also rolling down the outfield berm on your stomach, never witnessing a pitch, or hanging out in the concourse chatting with friends.

"We pride ourselves in being affordable from the ticket prices to the concessions prices, " said Jason Diplock of the Blue Jays. "During March is when we make our hay. During the summer, revenue is not the motivation. It's to get folks to the stadium."

At both parks, for $25, a family of four can enjoy a ball game, hot dogs and drinks.

And then there's always a gimmick. In Clearwater, the Threshers have Feeding Frenzy on Monday nights. For $10, gamegoers get access to an all-you-can-eat buffet.

On Saturday nights there's a fireworks display.

IF YOU GO

Clearwater Threshers

threshersbaseball.com Bright House Networks Field 601 N Old Coachman Road, Clearwater, 467-4457

Tickets: Premium box $8; field box $6; field box (seniors/children/military) $4; berm (lawn) $3

Parking: $2

Dunedin Blue Jays

www.dunedinbluejays.com Knology Park 373 Douglas Ave., Dunedin 733-9302

Tickets: $6

Parking: free

[Last modified June 9, 2007, 20:57:54]