Given the current economic recession, it seems that everywhere you look these days there are great deals to be had on everything from homes to cars.

It’s indeed a buyer's market, and that theory holds true as well for Major League Baseball, which is anticipating flat-to-reduced ticket sales, at least in the first half of this season, as compared to a year ago. And that especially holds true for spring training, as fans curb their entertainment spending, and hence, trips to Arizona or Florida.

But the great traditional aspect of spring training is that, even in a thriving economy and a seller's market, fans can find plenty of free and ultra-affordable ways to enjoy baseball under the sun in the Grand Canyon State or Sunshine State. Take game day, for example.

Most spring training games begin at 1 p.m., but hours before then, fans who arrive early enough can try and scope out the neighborhood for a free parking spot. Then they can walk over and watch players practicing on fields adjacent to the ballpark — for free.

And when those players make their way from the practice fields to the locker room, or to the ballpark, well-positioned fans can snag free autographs, and with camera at the ready — a quick picture with their favorite star, also for free. By 12:30 p.m., most of the players will be inside the ballpark, but if you don’t have a ticket yet, don’t worry.

Last year, in an economy not nearly as bad as this year, I scored a $10 ticket (with a $25 face value) to a game between the host Yankees and Twins from a gentlemen out front of Steinbrenner Field in Tampa. The Bronx Bombers supposedly sold-out their entire spring schedule last season, but the laws of supply and demand can be different on game day. I scored a $5 ticket a few days later off a fan at Fort Lauderdale Stadium as the host Orioles welcomed the fanatics known as Red Sox Nation. The seat was six rows behind the Orioles dugout.

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In this economy, you can largely avoid the pay-in-advance ticket surcharges and score a seat at or below face value on game day if you’re a smart negotiator, and you know what games have high demand and what games do not.

Two of the strongest draws in spring training, for example, are the Red Sox and Cubs. The most important aspect is to remain calm and assess the supply and demand market in front of the ballpark before making your move. In many cases, with the exception of the BoSox, Cubs and a few other teams, face value tickets at the box office are always a fall back option in a buyer's market, and those who don’t want to deal with any negotiation, can always buy tickets in advance online.

But even if you have to pay face value for a spring training ticket, many of which are fairly affordable anyway ($10-$15), did you know that “B games” and minor league games are free?

Well, now you do. Come mid-March, every club’s minor league prospects start playing games on adjacent fields to the main ballpark at most spring training facilities, and there is no admission charge. Likewise, unscheduled and informal “B games” are also free. These often take place before or after the paid-admission spring training game, and occur so players can get extra at-bats or pitchers can get extra work in. You won’t find a public address announcer or a scorekeeper at B games! And as always, especially if you’ve got children, foul balls are free — and plenty.

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