Where can NIU students find cheap seats, plenty of beer and competitive baseball fewer than 45 minutes away? Why,in Rockford, of course!

The Rockford Expos are a minor league team and part of the Midwest League. The league includes 14 teams from cities including Appleton, Peoria, Springfield and Madison.

Assistant General Manager Scott Lane said the Expos are a “quality young team.” The Expos’ talent has qualified them for the playoffs for the last two years, Lane said.

Tickets for any of the 70 scheduled home games are $5 for box seats, $4 for reserved seats and $2.50 for general admission. Home games are played at Rockford’s Marinelli Field, 101 15th Ave.

Lane said Expos games are “a lot more fun” than major league games because fans are more involved in the field action. For example, fans can win prizes between innings during most games.

Expos fans also can purchase concessions, including four different kinds of beer. Fans also benefit from free parking at Expos games, unlike the fans of some major league teams, Lane said.