Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SATURDAY, April 13, 1991                   TAG: 9104130254
SECTION: BUSINESS                    PAGE: A-7   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: 
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Short

BASEBALL HOPING TO SCORE WITH ATMS

But the price of labor peace is staggering - $700,000 salaries to bench warmers, millions for stars - which is why a trip to the ballpark is no longer one of life's cheap thrills.

Even the Houston Astros, who traded their best player, slugger Glenn Davis, rather than pay him $3 million, are raising the price of some tickets 30 percent. Although an Astros spokesman notes that kids' general admission seats cost $1, at any park box seats below $9 are scarce.

Food and parking can really put you on the financially disabled list. At Philadelphia's Veterans Stadium, a 20-ounce beer, slice of pizza and large bag of peanuts cost almost $10.

But give the Seattle Mariners a hand: Their concession prices are about the lowest, and the Mariners are keeping ticket prices at last year's level, including $2.50 and $3.50 kids' admissions.

In recognition of the pile of cash it takes to see a game these days, the Cincinnati Reds have installed automated teller machines at Riverfront Stadium. Several other clubs either have ATMs or are considering them.