One thing I can say about the high beer prices is that I believe it to generally reduce the amount of consumption of the average fan, thus providing a nicer, even family friendly atmosphere. If your objective is to view baseball with a buzz, it's best to purchase the cheaper drinks at Spanish Flowers on opening day.
Some others may well prove me wrong, but I've always been of the opinion that if the beer prices were several dollars less, than they would sell 2X to 3X the amount of beer, thus resulting in higher sales and higher profits. Aramark would still make plenty of $$$ if a can of beer were $3.50 and a large draft was $5. Spending $7.50 to $8 on a beer and perhaps leaving a tip (pricing not the fault of the concessions lady) just feels wrong. I can only figure that the high prices are in place exactly to discourage excessive consumption.
I can go to a ballgame by myself on the cheap (discounted single seat from a reseller and a single draft), but if I take my family, then it becomes an expensive proposition. That's a shame, as I can't be the only one discouraged by the high pricing and opting instead for the fantastic coverage provided by television.
