Like advertising, baseball relies on great pitches, a loyal fan base, and the power of grown men in animal costumes to sway public opinion. Endorse America’s pastime with this deal to see the Tacoma Rainiers’ opening game against the Salt Lake Bees at Cheney Stadium on Thursday, April 5, at 7:05 p.m. For $30, you get a game-day package for two (up to a $92.68 total value), which includes:

• Two tickets for reserved seating in sections A–P (up to a $28.68 value, including all fees)
• Two ballpark meals with a hot dog, chips, and soda (a $24 total value)
• Two Rainiers hats (a $40 total value)<p>

The Triple-A affiliate of the Seattle Mariners, the Tacoma Rainiers kick off another race to reclaim the mantle of their 2010 Pacific Coast League championship. Spring training has seen the return of familiar faces, including all-around offensive threat Johan Limonta, whose 0.319 batting average and 0.382 on-base percentage in 2011 kept the team in play with scoring opportunities and the first-base coach from getting too lonesome standing by himself. Triple-A All-Star Trayvon Robinson sprints back to center field after a season that saw him rack up 26 home runs during a stint in Albuquerque.

Winner of the Ballpark Digest 2011 Renovation of the Year award, the revamped Cheney Stadium retains its iconic, 75-foot wooden façade while improving its innards with new luxury boxes, twice as many concessions stands, and a new restaurant. Ballpark meals quiet rumbling tummies with a hot dog, soda, and bag of chips, and limited-edition Tacoma Rainiers hats fill double duty catching wayward foul balls and shooing away pesky microphones desperate for your game commentary.