For true baseball fans, a game doesn't require athletes with multi-million dollar paychecks. Really, a good game can come down to a pair of little league teams squaring off for neighborhood bragging rights. In Colorado, there's an option between the tots and the Tulos: The Colorado Rockies Triple-A affiliate Colorado Springs Sky Sox. 

The team plays at Security Service Field in Colorado Springs and you can watch players biding their time until an opening comes up in the Rockies lineup or while they rehabilitate an injury or fix the fundamentals. You can sit right up against the Sky Sox dugout for a whopping $13 bucks. Youth tickets run $8-$11 and it's not unusual for a kid to leave with an autographed baseball. If you want to bring Fido to a game, head out on July 19 where any "well-behaved dog" gets a free ticket on the grassy berm. Most games have a special promotion like 50-cent hot dogs, bobble-head giveaways, or beer specials. 

This homestand: The Sky Sox start an eight-game homestand on April 17 against the New Orleans Zephyrs (Triple-A, Miami Marlins) and the Oklahoma City RedHawks (Triple-A, Houston Astros). Promotions include post-game fireworks (May 18), 1992 replica championship ring giveaway (May 19), and a kids-eat-free deal (May 21). 

Hint: The Friday night fireworks beat almost any Fourth of July show you will ever see. 

How to get there: From Denver head down I-25 about 60 miles. Exit on Briargate Parkway (3.3 miles), turn right on North Powers Blvd (6.2 miles). Turn left on Barnes Road, then a quick right on Tutt Blvd.

—Photo courtesy of Paat Kelly