While nothing tops a day at Safeco Field watching the Mariners play in one of the country’s most beautiful ballparks (except perhaps watching the Mariners actually win in one of the country’s most beautiful ballparks), regular trips to SoDo can wreak havoc on the family budget. Fortunately, there are other options. Less than an hour to the south, the Tacoma Rainiers of Triple-A play their games in recently renovated Cheney Stadium. Thirty miles to the north, the Everett AquaSox of the Northwest League call the quaint confines of Memorial Stadium home for 38 home games a season, from mid-June through Labor Day. When baseball earned its reputation as America’s Pastime, it was simple, honest—and affordable—experiences like the ones offered in Everett and Tacoma that won people over. Here’s how they stack up to the big leagues.

Tickets

An outing to Safeco Field, as any parent who has attempted it can tell you, can easily cost hundreds of dollars. Cheney Stadium, which holds roughly 7,200 fans, offers tickets from $7 to $12, and the seats, more often than not, are great. Cheney’s “Dugout Club” seats, available as part of a season-ticket package, are positioned nearer to home plate than the pitcher is—closer to the action, says Rainiers Director of Communications Ben Spradling, than in any other ballpark in the country. Everett Memorial seats approximately 4,500 fans and sells tickets from $7 to $17, with an average ticket price of $11.


Concessions

Safeco offers more than 76 concession stands, two restaurants, and four members-only lounges. By design, there’s something for everyone, from gluten-free cookies to shrimp Louie to strawberry-Nutella crepes. Cheney, meanwhile, boasts nine main concession windows, along with six portable concession areas. Everett features “one main concession stand, with three windows,” according to Katie Crawford, the AquaSox’s director of community relations. Of course, that’s not counting the single espresso stand, the lone Dippin’ Dots cart, and a specialty hot-dog vendor. Crawford says plans are in the works to add a chicken-fingers stand this year.

Beer

Beer options at Safeco run the gamut, from staples like Budweiser and MGD to specialty brews like Elysian Immortal, Men’s Room Red, and McTarnahan’s. While Mariners Director of Public Relations Rebecca Hale says it’s hard to give an average beer price since there are so many to choose from, a 14 oz. domestic runs $6, a 20 oz. micro runs $9.75, and a 16 oz. during happy hour (from the time the gates open until an hour before first pitch) will set you back $5 in The ’Pen. Meanwhile, both Cheney and Everett Memorial offer “Tasty Thursday” promotions, where $2 domestics flow like water.

Kids

Safeco features the Mariners Hall of Fame, where young M’s fans can get acquainted with stars of the past, including Alvin Davis, Jay Buhner, Edgar Martinez, and the voice of the Mariners, Dave Niehaus. Select Family Nights and Salute to Kids days attract clans, as does any giveaway of a collectible bobblehead. Cheney, among other things, offers the chance to “Run With Rhubarb,” when kids round the bases with the team’s reindeer mascot during a break in the action. Everett features a year-round “Fun Zone” for kids, complete with bounce houses, a speed-pitch game, and a football-sized field on which restless tykes can run around.

The Big Draw

For a minor leaguer on the cusp, nothing matches the excitement of getting called up to the big leagues. Nick Franklin knows a thing or two about that, having recently left his Rainiers teammates for a spot on the M’s roster. Of course, for every Franklin there’s a Dustin Ackley or Jesus Montero, both of whom struggled mightily under the bright lights this year and found their way back to T-Town. At this point it’s tough to know which Mariners “star” of tomorrow will be playing where; the list of well-known Mariners you’re as likely to see at Cheney as at Safeco includes Ackley, Montero, and players like Franklin Gutierrez, Brandon Maurer, and even Justin Smoak. Of course, let’s not forget the top offensive prospect in the M’s system, catcher Mike Zunino, who’s played well for the Rainiers so far this season and may be in a Mariners uniform by the time you read this.

In Everett, on the other hand, the situation is different—much of the team’s roster comes straight from the MLB draft held in June right before the team’s opening day. Like exchange students, each player—young guys in their first or second year of pro ball—is housed with a host family. Mariners fans are used to hearing that the future is now, a sentiment that’s too often rung hollow for the team at Safeco. But for the Aquasox, it’s always true.

mdriscoll@seattleweekly.com