Somewhere around the fourth inning, Jimmy Buffet’s “Cheeseburger in Paradise” played over the loudspeakers as employees of the Newark Bears baseball team tossed cheeseburgers up into the crowd. Nothing gets people standing up and waving their arms like the possibility of catching a give-away. Perhaps the only time I’ve seen this done more interestingly was at another minor league baseball game, the Michigan Battle Cats, when employees shot hot dogs into the crowd with some sort of hot dog gun to the tune of “Who Let the Dogs Out?” The cheeseburger toss brought me back to that oddly fun/ funny moment at the diamond. Maybe that’s part of the appeal of minor league teams, including the Newark Bears. It’s an inexpensive, and surprisingly fun, way to enjoy the All-American past time.

Attending a Newark Bears game is not only an extremely reasonable night out, with box seats costing $10 and reserved seats $7, but it’s also just a close drive or PATH train ride away from Jersey City. I went to my first Newark Bears game last summer. I was taken aback by how nice the actual stadium was, and also by the lovely view, especially at dusk, of the green field with the river behind. This year I was excited to go back for another game, especially because my six year-old nephew has become a baseball expert within the year, or at least as much as a t-baller can be. He watches MLB (that’s Major League Baseball) with the same enthusiasm once reserved for Thomas the Train cartoons.

Other kids (and adults too) showed their enthusiasm and wore their mitts, prepared to catch any fly balls that might come their way. The Bears hosted several little league teams that evening, so many youngsters sported their jerseys and groups even came out on the field to help sing “Take Me Out to the Ballgame.” Other kids were there as part of birthday parties that the Bears also facilitate. And a face-painting stand, opened on Fridays throughout the summer, offered intricate designs for $5.

Fans also enjoyed the Bears’ mascot, Rupert, who spiced things up between batters and between innings. Though he didn’t have a little car to drive out on the field (as I saw the Bull for the Durham Bulls of NC tool around on along the outfield), he did add entertainment to the night.

In addition, spectators snacked on reasonably priced food and beverages as they took in the game. Here one can enjoy a hot dog and drink without major league prices. With Miller beer and Heineken’s at $4.50 and $5.00 it’s cheaper than prices at many bars.

And the actual baseball was pretty good too. The Bears put up a good fight on this particular night, going into extra innings before eventually winning against Somerset. We didn’t get a chance to stay for the Friday fireworks finale as we had hoped, due to the lateness of the extra innings. But I guess that’s just reason to check the calendar for another home game.