BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — The website MSN compiled a list of the coolest thing to do in each of the 50 states for under $20, and for Birmingham residents, the Alabama bargain will come as no surprise. According to MSN’s review performed by GOBankingRates, going to a Birmingham Barons’ game is the best way for Alabamians to get a bang for their buck this summer.
It only costs $14 to see the team in person, a remarkable price considering the rising costs of attending most professional sporting events. The Barons are the AA minor-league affiliate for the MLB’s Chicago White Sox, so you might just see an up-and-coming professional superstar.
In addition to the very modest ticket price, the ball club also runs big deals on food and drinks, including the now-famous 50 cent hot dog night held every Tuesday during the season.
After playing in the suburbs at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium for several years, the Barons moved back to the city proper in 2013. Since that time, the team has enjoyed large crowds and on-field success, winning the Southern League title in 2013.
The relatively new park is located downtown, with the backdrop being the downtown Birmingham skyline, UAB, and the medical district and Red Mountain.
Baseball in Birmingham traces its history to 1885 with the establishment of the original Barons, and from 1910 to 1987, professional baseball teams called Rickwood Field home. The Barons’ storied history includes 12 league titles and the acquisition of NBA hall-of-famer Michael Jordan before his MLB call-up. The city was also home to the Birmingham Black Barons, a successful Negro League team that won three titles and launched hall-of-famer Willie Mays to super stardom.
