Alternatives to Paying Top Dollar for MLB – Atlantic and Can-Am Independent Leagues in New Jersey and New York

There are alternatives to paying top dollar at the Major League ballparks in Queens and the Bronx. You can visit the Atlantic League's Somerset Patriots and Long Island Ducks or the Can-Am League’s Newark Bears and New Jersey Jackals. The Atlantic and Can-Am Leagues are independents made up of former Major and Minor League players. My Wife and I have attended games after moving to NJ since 2007 and purchased the Saturday Plan for the Patriots since 2008. We have friends on both sides of us on Saturdays and it really makes it more enjoyable. We’ve also gone to many games at the Bears and Jackals. Excellent seats range in cost from $10.00 to $12.50 per seat and the stadiums are family and fan friendly. The level of play is higher in the Atlantic League.

The Patriots play at TD Bank Ballpark in Bridgewater, NJ and are managed by ex-Yankee and Cy Young Award winning pitcher Sparky Lyle. They won the Atlantic League Championship five times (recently as 2009 and 2008).

The Ducks play at Bethpage Ballpark in Central Islip, NY and are managed by Kevin Baez. The Ducks won their division a couple of seasons ago under then manager and Hall of Fame catcher Gary (Kid) Carter but lost in the opening round.

The Bears play at the Bears & Eagles Riverfront Stadium in Newark, NJ and are managed by Tim (Rock) Raines. Jim Leyritz is Newark’s pitching coach. The Bears defeated the Patriots in 2007 to win the Atlantic League Championship. Newark also won in 2002. This season they’ve moved down to the Can-Am League.

The Jackals play at Yogi Berra Stadium on the grounds of Montclair State University and are managed by Joe Calfapietra. Perhaps catch the Red Bulls practice in the morning, visit the Yogi Berra Museum and stick around for a Jackals game that evening.