Much cheaper, parking is easy, nowhere near as crowded, much more relaxed, and the baseball is practically indistinguishable to me from Major League.
The skill gap between MLB and AAA has probably never been bigger, but at the same time the gap between AAA and the lower levels has probably never been smaller. And of course to the untrained eye (99% of fans) it all looks basically identical.
So, since I can get a ticket, parking, food, and a couple of local microbrews for less than $50, I'll attend the minor league games and watch the MLB team in 4K from my living room. The games tend to be faster too, so often I can go the the minor league game and then catch the last inning or two of the MLB game at home.
You make a valid point, but if I lived near, for example, Somerset. I would make it a point to watch one of the Yankees' promising prospects.
Friend of mine and I were talking about how minor league baseball is in decline vs college baseball due to colleges offering:
- better housing (nice dorms vs motels)
- better food (cafeteria vs chain restaurant/fast food)
- better lifestyle (top college baseball players at baseball focused schools are treated like gods)
I've met and drank with some minor league baseball guys before and obviously I won't speak for all of them, but they often aren't really uh... college material.