How to Catch a Baseball Game in SoCal

“When the upcoming winter gives way to spring, rest assured, it will be time for Dodger baseball,” were the words said by late great Dodgers broadcaster Vin Scully on his final sign-off. Well, winter has given way to spring, and it is time for Dodger baseball. But it’s also time for all southern California ball clubs to play ball too. Whether you’re a diehard baseball fan or are looking to go to the ballpark for the first time, there are many games to catch within reach of Cal Poly Pomona (CPP).  

Blue Heaven on Earth: Dodger Stadium 

Located in the heart of Los Angeles, just 40 minutes from campus, Dodger Stadium plays host to the 2020 World Series Champions, the Los Angeles Dodgers. For those seeking elite baseball surrounded by history and modern amenities, this is the ballpark for you.  

The “Boys in Blue” have played called “Blue Heaven on Earth” home since 1962, with the stadium being recently renovated in 2021 and 2022. Amongst these renovations are a new centerfield plaza and grass area, refurbished concession stands, and statues that honor Dodger greats. This stadium still retains its retro feel, from its pastel-colored seats behind home plate and the foul lines, to the pavilion seats topped by the timeless hexagonal scoreboards, and even the picturesque view of the mountains from home plate. 

The team from the City of Stars has plenty of star power of their own. Future hall of famers Mookie Betts, Freddie Freeman, and Clayton Kershaw are just a few of the stars that call LA home. In the offseason, the team added MVP-winning two-way superstar Shohei Ohtani and fellow Japanese pitcher Yoshinobu Yamamoto to its roster. No matter which game you see, you are guaranteed to witness a legend don the Dodger blue before your eyes. 

Unfortunately, with superstars and hype, the ticket prices reflect that. For the upcoming season, the average price of a Dodger ticket is $130 according to Seatgeek. However, according to data compiled by Logitix, the average price was projected to balloon to $295 following the signing of Ohtani. Parking also costs $27 if purchased in advance, increasing to $30 if bought at the gate and prepaid preferred parking is over $50. 

However, if you are willing to save to witness the history and watch legends of the game take the field, the experience is completely worth it. Every Major League Baseball (MLB) park is unique, and Dodger Stadium perfectly encompasses that. 

The Big A: Angel Stadium 

Just southbound down the 57 freeway from CPP, Angel Stadium is home to the other local ball club, the Los Angeles Angels. Due to its proximity to campus and ticket prices, watching the Angels is undoubtedly the most accessible way to catch a big-league game. 

For many who live in Orange County or have taken the 57 en route to San Diego or Disneyland, Angel Stadium is a familiar sight. Located almost immediately off the freeway and adjacent to the Honda Center, Angel Stadium has plenty of history of its own. The 58-year-old stadium has played host to the 2002 World Series, and was also the home of the Los Angeles Rams during their first stint in LA. In the modern day, the ballpark has many iconic features. These include the scenic rocks and waterfall in center field meant to represent the Pacific Ocean, the gigantic Angels “A” by the freeway, and an equally large pair of metal Angels baseball caps outside of the home plate entrance.  

Though the previously mentioned Shohei Ohtani traded in Angel red for Dodger blue, there are still plenty of notable names to look out for on gameday. Centerfield is patrolled by perennial all-star and future Hall of Famer Mike Trout, whose “27” will be on the backs of many Angel jerseys in the crowd. Outside of Trout, the Angels have many potential stars on the roster, including Nolan Schanuel, Logan O’Hoppe and Zach Neto. Who knows? Maybe you’ll be able to catch a future all-star before they dominate the league. 

As mentioned before, watching an Angels game is extremely affordable and accessible compared to many big-league ball clubs. Per SeatGeek, the average cost of an Angels ticket is $63, but there are more ways to make this cost even cheaper (more on that later). Parking is also cheaper than their rivals from LA County, as it only costs $20 for general parking, and $30 for preferred parking.  

Angel Stadium is perfect for anyone looking to catch a game on a budget, while still having access to a top MLB ballpark. As it is only around a half hour drive from campus, Angel Stadium is easily the most accessible ballpark for CPP students. 

Slam Diego: Petco Park 

About two hours down the coast, the San Diego Padres bring energy and a crazed experience every gameday at Petco Park. Do you have an entire day to spend exploring a big-league park and the city around it? Then Petco Park is the perfect option. 

In the heart of downtown San Diego, Petco Park is the newest MLB stadium in the region, only being 20 years old. Its young age is reflected in the modern feel surrounding the ballpark, including a green area behind the batter’s eye called Gallagher Square. Its most striking feature is not one of modern symbolism, but rather a San Diego relic. The Western Metal Supply Co. Building serves as a backdrop to the left outfield corner, with the four-story building providing several balconies that provide a one-of-a-kind view of the ballpark. Its proximity to San Diego’s city center sets this ballpark apart from the other two on the list. 

Although the Padres did not make it to the playoffs in the 2023 season, they still sport many recognizable names across the diamond. Some big-name players for the “Swinging Friars” include third-baseman Manny Machado, shortstop Ha-Seong Kim, and the team’s flashy right fielder Fernando Tatis Jr., whose swagger and bat-flips are unmistakable for any baseball fan. Lucky fans may also catch a glimpse of the MLB’s future through top prospect Jackson Merrill. 

The price of an average Padres game is about $111 according to SeatGeek, making it a “middle ground” between the Dodgers and Angels prices. On top of the price, one must consider the cost of parking and transportation. Per Petco Park Insider, the price to park at one of the ballpark’s garages is between $15-50 based on proximity. However, there is the option to find cheaper parking in Downtown San Diego, with a further walk being the tradeoff. Transportation and distance are perhaps the biggest challenge for CPP students looking to visit this ballpark. Petco Park sits at about a 2-and-a-half-hour, 113-mile drive from campus, making it by far the furthest MLB park in southern California. 

But for those with the time to explore San Diego and the means to get there, Petco Park is an excellent option to watch MLB superstars play an energetic game in a modern, yet recognizable ballpark. 

Trends in ticket prices 

While the average ticket prices for all three teams were listed, with the ascending order of prices being Angels, Padres, and then Dodgers, there are a series of trends that apply to any big-league game.  

The first being that tickets are generally cheaper against teams that are expected to be low in the standings, or have a smaller, geographically further fan base. For example, a game against the Kansas City Royals (fifth in their division last year) would usually be cheaper than that against the New York Yankees. 

Next, rivalry games are more sought after, and their ticket prices are priced accordingly. Games where the Dodgers face the Angels, Padres or San Francisco Giants are usually more expensive than a regular opponent like the Colorado Rockies. The same can be said about the Angels and Padres’ other rivals. 

Third, the timing of the game matters. Day games tend to be cheaper, since games at night are in higher demand due to the convenience for people to attend after work or school. Weekday games follow suit, as less people generally come to weekday games as opposed to weekend games at the same time. Ultimately, in terms of cost, a weekday-day game is almost universally ideal. 

Finally, and perhaps the tip with the biggest uncertainty is to purchase tickets to the first game of a doubleheader, which is a game that occurs due to postponement of a previous game due to factors such as weather. Generally, the first game of a double header has lower attendance and cheaper ticket prices than most games. However, doubleheaders are not guaranteed to occur during the season, so fans looking to attend this type of game should pay close attention to any rainouts or postponements 

Where to sit 

For those looking for the cheapest tickets to a game, they are generally either on the highest deck, obstructed view or standing room only tickets. Based on my personal experience at baseball games, choosing seats that are field level down the first or third base line provide a great view for oftentimes a good deal. However, views from the second deck on either side of the baselines provide great sightline as well. You can check out the views from your seat here. For those looking to find a seat in the shade, you can also check the sunny spots in any ballpark here. 

Ideal ticket options 

With everything considered, here is an example of a game for each of the teams mentioned in the coming months, and some of the best tickets available for that game. Please note that ticket prices do not include potential fees and taxes. In terms of value, proximity to the field, cost, and amenities are all taken into account. 

Dodger Stadium:  

Nationals @ Dodgers, Wednesday April 17, 12:10 p.m. Get in price: $20. Best seats for value: Section 41FD-49 FD ($58-$80, Section 47 Row B pictured here) 

Angel Stadium: 

Royals @ Angels, Sunday May 12, 1:07 p.m.. Get in price: $17. Best seats for value: Sections 131-135 ($17.50-$42, Section 131 Row F pictured here) 

Petco Park: 

Athletics @ Padres, Wednesday June 12, 1:10 pm. Get in price: $19. Best seats for value: Sections 116-124 ($38-$57, Section 120 Row 3 pictured here)  

Other options 

The Dodgers, Angels, and Padres all have their own minor league affiliates within the region, with all teams calling San Bernardino County home. The three Low-A teams are Rancho Cucamonga Quakes (Dodgers affiliate), Inland Empire 66ers (Angels affiliate), and the Lake Elsinore Storm (Padres affiliate). The Quakes play about half an hour away from CPP, while the other two ball clubs sit about an hour drive from campus. Minor League tickets can be purchased through Minor League Baseball’s (MILB) website, and ticket prices vary, but are almost always cheaper than MLB tickets. Attendees of any minor league game can see prospects grinding for a spot at the big-league level and occasionally, a big leaguer playing some games as part of injury rehab. 

Backyard Baseball 

Of course, we couldn’t talk about baseball without mentioning our CPP men’s baseball team. The Broncos play their own brand of baseball within our own backyard, and admission to all games is free to faculty and students with a BroncoID. Though going to an MLB game is a one-of-a-kind experience, we have a great baseball team a short walk from wherever you are on campus, at absolutely no cost. A Friday night game against Cal State San Dominguez Hills on April 26 at 6 p.m. is a perfect chance to catch some Bronco Baseball. 

Will you catch a ballgame in the spring, summer or fall, and which ballpark will you choose? Let us know on our social media @ASICPP on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok!