I live in Allentown, Pennsylvania, about an hour north of Philadelphia. As a kid, our parents took me, my sister and our cousins down to Veteran’s Stadium early enough to watch batting practice and vie for the autographs of our favorite Phillies.

30 years before, my grandfather took my dad to Connie Mack Stadium for the same kinds of outings. The Vet and Connie Mack are gone now, like many of the fabled stadiums of old. Many people assume that the days of affordable, family fun at the ballpark are gone with them, but surprisingly, the opposite is true.

Citizen’s Bank Park, which replaced Veteran’s Stadium as the home of the Philadelphia Phillies at the start of the 2003 season, is one example of the measures baseball is taking to make a day at the ball game more affordable, and enjoyable, for everyone. With special rates and standing room tickets, taking your extended family out to the old ball game doesn’t have to be as expensive as you might think.

While seats can run from 10 to hundreds of dollars, $25 - $30 seats in most of the newer parks provide a great view at a good rate. Less expensive options often include special $10 and $15 tickets reserved for standing room areas of the park only, and these areas also usually offer great views and even tables, patio areas and other amenities. For an extended family on a budget, this is a great way to enjoy all the thrills of the ballpark without spending a fortune. For families with a little more to spend, most stadiums have group rates that are worth looking into. Here are some additional tips for making your family’s trip to the park something to remember:

Arrive early. Often you can watch your favorite players take batting practice and even score some autographs, which can be a thrill for old and young fans alike.

Go to a day game. This allows for more fun in the city afterward. You’re already there, so you might as well see the sights!

Tailgate. Cookout before game time or bring sandwiches, hoagies or other favorite family foods. Many of the newer parks actually permit you to bring in your own water, so don’t forget to stock up before you leave home.

Order tickets online. This saves money on shipping and allows family members from different areas to print their own tickets and meet up at the game.

Don’t forget about the minors! If there are no affordable big league parks within driving distance, minor league games are definitely the way to go. With great action, a family atmosphere, affordable packages and even affordable food, many families actually prefer these outings to major league games. Promotional contests and giveaways often give fans a chance to get on the field. Great for birthday parties, bachelor/bachleorette parties, family reunions and so on.

Tell stories. Encourage the older members of the family to share their fondest baseball memories and talk about legendary players. If you have a long car ride ahead of you, baseball related trivia games or fantasy match-ups will stimulate great conversation and make the story sharing process that much more memorable. Could Hideki Matsui hit Cy Young? See what your family says!

Let the stadium know you’re there! On any given day, civic groups, school trips and families come to the ballpark to celebrate special events. Consider incorporating a trip to the park into the agenda of your family reunion, and if you let the management know in advance, most places will flash your name and function (and sometimes a live close up of your group!) on the big screen above centerfield.

A trip to the ball game can be a great, affordable way to bring members of your extended family together for some fun in the sun this summer. Look into the possibilities near you!