CINCINNATI, March 9 (UPI) -- Some Major League Baseball teams are trying to avoid a decline in season ticket sales during the U.S. recession by cutting prices, an official says.
MLB President Bob DuPuy said the league will be tested by the economic malaise, meaning teams will have to find new ways to appeal to fans who are watching their spending, USA Today reported Monday.
"We're the first sport to really go on sale in the teeth of this (recession)," DuPuy said. "We'd like to hope that people recognize that we are affordable and that there are ways of coming to games."
Attendance to MLB spring training games has dropped 12 percent so far this preseason, leading teams to offer special ticket deals.
For example, Baltimore Orioles' fans can get free tickets the month of their birthday, while an upper deck pass for all 81 Toronto Blue Jays home games is now available for $95.
Bob Crotty, founder of an Ohio baseball memorabilia site, agreed such creative offers would be key to MLB teams' success this season.
"Baseball is comfort food," the Green Diamond Gallery founder told USA Today. "And people can't afford that comfort right now."
