Can you enjoy a Tri-City Dust Devils baseball game and snacks for only $25?

Spring is a busy time in Tri-Cities, with many events and activities to take part in. It’s easy to want to get involved in as many things as possible, but with entry fees and other costs, too many activities can add up quickly.

The Herald is setting out to see how many Tri-Cities pastimes are truly affordable — can they be enjoyed with just $25 in 2025?

With the start of spring comes the start of baseball season, and Tri-Citians are regularly visiting Gesa Stadium to watch the local Minor League Baseball team, the Tri-City Dust Devils. I went to a game to find out how you can make the most with $25.

Cheapest way to watch Dust Devils

When you buy your tickets, you can select your exact seats, or opt for the first come, first served general admission tickets. These seats are benched rows higher in the stadium, but still with a great view of the game, along the third base to home plate stretch.

General admission seating ranges from $10 to $15 per ticket depending on the day you visit. The stadium operates under dynamic pricing, with tickets on high-demand nights like Thursday, Friday and Saturday for a higher price than other days of the week. I visited on a Sunday, paying in advance for a $10 ticket.

General admission seats are a budget-friendly option, always several dollars cheaper than closer seats. If you have seat cushions or blankets, you can bring them to make the bench more comfortable. I also recommend bringing sunglasses, especially if you’re going to a game earlier in the day. I forgot mine and was surprised by the sun’s reflection off the bleacher-style seating.

The team’s Assistant General Manager of Ticketing, Collin Ames, told the Herald in a phone call that the best way to save money on tickets is to buy directly from the Dust Devils site. Many third-party sellers offer tickets at higher prices, so be sure you’re on the right website before ordering.

Dust Devils tickets bought directly from the team never cost more than $19, Ames said. Buying in advance is cheaper than buying same-day tickets, and you can get your tickets early online, over the phone or in person.

If you’re going with a large group and want to make everyone’s individual costs cheaper, groups of 15 or more can look into group pricing options.

Lot parking costs $5, but Ben Franklin Transit has a stop not far from the stadium. If you take the bus, or get dropped off by a willing friend, you can save that $5 for snacks.

Cheapest food at Gesa Stadium

There are a handful of food options at Gesa Stadium, primarily classic ballpark cuisine like hot dogs, nachos and soft pretzels. Other fun options include a chicken teriyaki bowl, walking tacos and a buffalo chicken sandwich. But light eats and snacks are the best option for saving money.

The cheapest food items in the stadium are:

• Chips: $2.50
• Ice cream sandwich: $3
• Candy: $3-4
• French fries: $4.50
• Box of peanuts/popcorn: $5
• Chips galore sandwich: $5.25
• Apple pie with vanilla scoop: $5.25
• Nachos: $5.50
• Garlic fries: $5.50
• Soft pretzel: $5.50

Soft drinks are available for $4 or $5, and a water bottle will also cost you $5. Alternatively, you can bring in your own empty, refillable water bottle, which can be filled with water and ice for free at concession stands. You can also bring new, sealed water bottles inside. In general, other outside drinks or food are not permitted.

Cans of Monster are available for $5.50, and hot drinks like coffee and hot chocolate are available for $3.50.

There are several options for alcoholic beverages, from the cocktail corner to the iconic beer bats from tap selections. Drinks can get a little pricey, with most alcoholic beverages setting you back $10 or more.

But each game has a designated “Beer Batter.” A player from the opposing team is selected as the Beer Batter, a different player every game. When that player takes the plate, you’ll hear an announcement in the stadium. If he strikes out when at bat, all fans in attendance (21 and older) can enjoy domestic 12 ounce beers for just $3. The promotion lasts for 10 minutes following the strikeout.

Personally, I’m the type to pick an imported beer before a domestic beer 10 times out of 10. But the Beer Batter special is a good deal, and it encourages everyone to get invested in the game. It’s the exact sort of promotion I was looking for. Now, I pay extra attention when the Beer Batter is at bat, and I’ll get a domestic beer out of team spirit when I can.

Dust Devils promotion nights

But the real method for saving money at a Dust Devils game is checking the promotional night calendar. Some promotional nights include the players dressing up, others include fireworks shows at the end of the game. But some offer discounts you can take advantage of all game long.

Family Feast Nights are by far the best promotion for protecting your wallet. On Family Feast Night Fridays, you can get the following items for just $2.50:

• Hot dog

• 21-ounce Coke products

• Ice cream sandwich

• Chips

• Laffy Taffy rope

Other promotions are less frequent but will also occur throughout the season, including Thirsty Thursdays which offers Coke products and domestic beer for $3 and premium beer for $4, and Weenie Wednesdays with discounted hot dogs.

Ames recommends keeping an eye on promotions in order to have the most budget-friendly experience at a Dust Devils game. They’ll occasionally have flash sales throughout the season, normally announced on their email and text notification services. Sign up for advance notice on sales.

You can also check the Dust Devils Facebook page for weekly updates.

Save at the Dust Devils game

Here are some possible combinations you can try for under $25:

Game with a tall boy

• Ticket: $10+
• Large standard beer: $10
• Box of peanuts: $5

Game with a full meal

• Ticket: $10+
• Hot dog: $6
• Bag of chips: $2.50
• Ice cream sandwich: $3
• Hot chocolate: $3.50

Game of sweet treats

• Ticket: $10+
• Apple pie with vanilla scoop: $5.25
• Candy: $3
• Ice cream/sorbet cup: $6

Game of snacks

• Ticket: $10+
• Chips: $2.50
• Box of popcorn: $5
• Garlic fries: $5.50

Game on Thirsty Thursday

• Ticket: $10+
• Three premium beers: $12
• Chips: $2.50

Game on Family Feast Night

• Ticket: $10+
• Hot dog: $2.50
• Bag of chips: $2.50
• Ice cream sandwich: $2.50
• Coke: $2.50
• Beer (if the Beer Batter strikes out): $3

Overall, it is absolutely possible to visit – and enjoy – a Dust Devils game with only $25. As someone who doesn’t frequently attend baseball games, I found it easy to navigate the game on a budget. After making a quick round to check out the concessions options, I had no trouble finding budget-friendly options throughout the game.

I didn’t plan ahead for transportation, so I went over budget spending $5 on parking. But I wasn’t very hungry, and only wanted a snack, so I grabbed some popcorn for $5 and a tall boy of (imported) beer for $10.

Keep in mind that the stadium is cashless. Concessions options do offer tap-to-pay.

I saw multiple saving opportunities presented throughout the game, from the Beer Batter special to the free seat upgrade awarded to a random group in the General Admission section. I’ll be back for more baseball games through the season, since it’s a great way to get outside, meet some community members and relax without spending too much money. But next time, I’m waiting to buy my drink until after the Beer Batter promotion.