"M's in under $20...Frugal fans can find ways to stretch their budgets" -- Sept. 12, 2006

BY CALEB BREAKEY
THE OLYMPIAN

The thrill of attending a professional sporting event can sometimes be dulled by the hit one's pocketbook can take.

Seattle Mariners fans Brian Washburn and Gary Carter found that out in early August when they dished out more than $50 apiece to cover food and parking, even though they got free tickets.

Four bottled beers, a meal, ice cream and peanuts can add up fast at concession stand prices.

But there is a way to attend a Mariners game without feeling that twinge in your stomach that comes with spending more money than you had wished.

I attended a recent Mariners game and spent less than $20, and this covered the ticket and the commute from South Sound. It's a bit more of a hassle; it involves finding free parking and bringing your own food. But sitting in Safeco Field and watching the Mariners and Angels play on a warm August night for $19.38 without a ping of guilt made it all worth the extra effort.

Although this season is winding down with the final home game set for Oct. 1, these are cost-saving tips that can be used for seasons to come.

Here's how to do it:

Getting from here to there

Gas cost $12.38 for the journey to Safeco Field, which is about 106 miles roundtrip from the Martin Way Shell gas station in Lacey -- this assuming that the vehicle gets 25 miles per gallon on the freeway.

After taking the northbound Qwest Field/Safeco Field exit, I went straight and turned right at Fourth Avenue, drove a few blocks and then turned left onto South Lander Street. The next left was 3rd Avenue South, just behind Subway, where I parked my car for free along the street.

I made my way to the ballpark carrying just my cooler, wallet and cell phone.

"Come early; (you can) find free parking on the street," said Rebecca Hale, the Mariners' director of public information. "It will certainly save $15 to $20."

Outside the stadium, programs sold for $3 or two for $5. Avoid these -- the Web has most of the information fans want, and it's free.

Taking the bus is another option.

Fans can get from Olympia to Seattle, with one bus change in Tacoma, for $7 roundtrip. But buses don't run late from Seattle to Olympia, so this option only works when the game is played in the afternoon.

The Mariners have two day games left on their schedule: Wednesday against the Toronto Blue Jays, and Oct. 1 vs. the Texas Rangers.

Get 'em quick

Center field bleachers at Safeco Field sell for $7, and for that reason, they often sell quickly.

These seats, which offer a great glimpse of Mariners star Ichiro Suzuki, have been up for grabs online and at various ticket sellers since the beginning of the season.

Because of this, series such as the Mariners vs. the Yankees and Red Sox sold out the inexpensive seats in advance. But fans can purchase the center field bleacher seats just before the gates open for some home games.

For peace-of-mind's sake, fans should buy their tickets weeks in advance.

Head to the Seattle Mariners Team Store at Capital Mall in Olympia to avoid a $3 online purchase charge. At the team store, Mariners' employees look for what each fan desires for seating and, if it's not available, help find the next best option.

And don't think inexpensive seating means a bad view.

If fans want to get closer to the action, there's a yellow line that runs across the top of the 100-level stairs, where fans crowd behind to see home plate, the pitcher and batter.

"You can go just about anywhere in the ballpark with just about any ticket," Hale said. "As long as you stand behind that yellow line, you're OK."

Bleacher creatures

The center field bleachers are located just under the big screen and scoreboard, but every inning fans can check the score or count without turning around.

Along the first and third base lines, around the 200-level seating, are two easily seen electronic scoreboards.

Still, the big screen is directly behind the bleachers, which can be a downer, said Shane Berry, a Mariners fan from Cranbrook, Canada.

"You're neck gets a little sore," he said, "but you still have a great chance of catching a ball."

Pack a lunch

The real trick to seeing the Mariners for less than $20 is disciplining that stomach.

A jumbo dog, chili nachos, large soda and a bottle of water from Safeco Field's Rolling Roof Refreshments rings up a $20 total -- enough money for another trip to the ballpark.

Instead, browse through those cupboards and the freezer.

"You can bring anything that won't get all over the people in front of you," Hale said.

Hale has seen fans carrying picnic baskets, grocery bags and pizza, not to mention a line of four people hauling a 6-foot long sub sandwich over their shoulders into the ballpark. Foods such as apples or pears should be sliced so that they won't be thrown onto the field, Hale said.

The Mariners also don't allow water, soda or bottled beverages into Safeco, "because we don't know what's in that container," she said.

However, fans can bring empty water bottles and fill them up inside. Along with an empty water bottle, I brought four Capri Suns, pretzels and a peanut butter and jelly sandwich -- whatever caught my eyes in the kitchen.

Putting it all together

Be creative -- thrifty doesn't have to be boring. Instead of salivating over every grease-saturated meal, try walking around the ballpark between innings. I visited the fountain in center field and tried to get a closeup of the batter's backdrop: what is that wall made of anyway?

At the end of the day, sit back, recline and reminisce -- one ticket, one meal, one Mariners game: under $20. Not even the Mariners Moose could say that.

The breakdown

Gas for the trip: $12.38

Ticket: $7

Parking: $0

Food at park: $0

Total: $19.38

Prerequisites:

A vehicle that gets 25 miles per gallon.

Bring your own food -- it's cheaper and healthier.