Lansing - The smell of hot dogs and popcorn, the sound of bats cracking and "Take Me Out to the Ballgame" can mean only one thing - summer has arrived at Oldsmobile Park.

Baseball and summer go hand-in-hand. There is nothing more American than spending a day at the ballpark, cheering on the local team and eating more hot dogs than you could fathom.

But to some, the American pastime has become somewhat dull and outdated. The Lansing Lugnuts might disagree.

Cheap food and drinks, men and women hopping around in bird suits and fireworks lighting up the night sky are the norm at Oldsmobile Park, 505 E. Michigan Ave.

Minor League Baseball is a whole different kind of experience, according to Darla Bowen, marketing director for the Lansing Lugnuts.

"We like to sell the whole experience," Bowen said. "We have great baseball for the baseball fans but we also have much more to attract all types of people."

And the marketing department for the Lugnuts is thinking out of the box to come up with more ways to get people out to the ballpark.

"Depending on what you are looking for, we have stuff at the park for everyone," Bowen said.

For college students 21 and up, a big draw at the park is a promotion called Thirsty Thursdays. Every Thursday home game, pop, beer and four chicken wings are $2 apiece. For under $20, a person can get a ticket and buy enough food and drinks to last them the night.

There also is in-game entertainment that's sure to make any student laugh. From people dressing up in bird suits to compete in the Bird Olympics to contestants playing human tug-of-war, there are no breaks in the action even in between the innings.

One of the largest attractions at Oldsmobile Park is the Lansing Automakers Federal Credit Union fireworks night.

Most weekend night games have a fireworks show after the end of the game for everyone in attendance.

The promotions are not just aimed at the older crowd. For families, the promotions have been tailored to make kids feel like a part of the action.

"I go to the Lugnuts games because I am a huge baseball fan but also because they have so many things for the kids," said Philip Miles, 39, of Holt. "They have so many fun promotions for the kids like letting them run the bases and making them feel a part of the game."

Every Sunday home game is called "Meijer Kids Day" where kids get a balloon and have the opportunity to enjoy a coloring station, a personalized baseball card and the chance to run the bases after the game.

There also is Big Lug's Dugout Playground located behind left center field where kids can play during every game on the inflatable toys and a jungle gym.

"There is so much that happens here that they can't do at the major league level," Bowen said.

The attraction to Oldsmobile Park is simple, said Elizabeth Klatt, marketing manager and head of the promotions staff for the Lugnuts.

"Minor league baseball is more involved and more personable," Klatt said. "Everyone who comes to the game has the feeling that they are welcome here."

Game promotions, such as the hot dog cannon and the T-shirt shot, make the crowd feel like they are a part of the action.

"The crowds at minor league games are small enough that audiences care and participate because they believe they are a part of it," Klatt said. "They think that they have that chance to catch the hot dog or the T-shirt."

For those die-hard baseball fans, there are promotions that allow you to get even closer to the action.

Before every Lugnuts home game there is an autograph session with a few members of the team.

"We try to bring the professional athletes down to the level of the average guy," Klatt said. "At a major league game the players seem unapproachable but here we try to make it as easy as possible."

For the fans, having approachable players is important to the draw of minor league.

"It's a nice thing in minor league baseball that the players are still regular people," Miles said. "They really want fans to be a part of the game."

And if you actually happen to head to the park to watch a baseball game, the Lugnuts are on pace to challenge for the Midwest League crown.

The team has already secured a wild-card playoff spot in the first half of the season and features a talented squad, including center fielder Felix Pie, the only Midwest League player to be selected for the Major League Baseball Futures Game during the All-Star Break.

But among the Bird Olympics, Thirsty Thursdays and Big Lug patrolling the aisles and grandstands, keep your eyes open for a stray foul ball - there is a game going on, after all.