Maryland Business

By: Liz Farmer

If you’re a AAA member, you’ve got a chance to rake in the discounts and freebies at this Friday’s Orioles game against the Nationals. AAA Mid-Atlantic is sponsoring Traffic Safety Night in which the organization will be staked out at Gate C offering traffic safety-related activities for fans.

I know, sounds boring, right? But check out the goodies:

• AAA members can purchase upper-reserve seats for $6.
• Half-price admission Friday at the Sports Legends Museum for AAA members.
• Fans 14 years old and younger get a gift.
• AAA members who swipe their membership card will receive a free tote bag.
• Adults requesting a free insurance price quote will receive a free AAA insulated reusable bag.
• Discounted AAA memberships ($50 Basic/$25 first additional member) will be for sale.

Not a bad night for $6 a seat — plus you could nab two reusable bags in case Baltimore ends up passing that tax on plastic checkout bags.

I wonder though, if this promotion benefits AAA more than it will the Orioles. Friday night games have averaged more than 31,000 in attendance this year — not bad considering what team we’re talking about here. Plus the Nationals games (the annual Battle of the Beltway) have traditionally been well attended here. I’m betting the auto club will gain a few more memberships tomorrow from passers by than the Orioles will gain in seats sold because of this particular promotion.