The grass is green, the bases are in, and the sun is shining. It all adds up to one thing...

"It's baseball season right now."

Opening day for the Lansing Lugnuts at Oldsmobile Park -- an opening day many have been waiting for.

"Just baseball. I love baseball," said Lugnuts fan Steve Norwood. "I'm glad they're here. I wanted to see the stadium and we've got box seats."

Steve Norwood and his grandson Zachary are just two of the thousands of fans ready for opening day...especially after a long winter and a shaky economy. The Lugnuts are hoping that will boost attendance this season.

"People aren't traveling as much," said Lugnuts General Manager Patrick Day. "People are staying local and want to stay here. We're a great price price point for people, $7 tickets."

The Lugnuts have tried to make games more affordable for families this year. They're offering discounts for combo meals and then of course there's Dollar Dog Tuesday. Day is hoping this food stimulus plan and tickets under 10 bucks will help make a night out at the park much more affordable for families.

"It's a lot more than just baseball."

But the ones truly salivating over opening day, are the local watering holes.

"It helps business and it's fun," said Michael Moriarty who owns Moriarty's and Stober's in Lansing. "People are on the streets. The neighborhoods are better for it. Everything's better."

It's tough to get into Stober's or Moriarty's after a game. It's the same story just down the street at the Nuthouse -- a business that sees a huge influx of fans once the last out is made.

"Our business doubles, triples some days," said server Kevin Angell. "Especially if it's a Thirsty Thursday or a Friday night game with fireworks.