The 2010 Major League All-Star Game is billed as a once-in-a-lifetime event, a chance for local fans to get an up-close look at the stars of the game who will gather inside Angel Stadium in July.

But some Angels fans are complaining that high ticket prices are putting that opportunity out of reach – even at face value.

Prices for the All-Star Game and related events – which must be purchased as a package – range from $410 up to $920.

Richard Rocha, a season-ticket holder since 2002 from Fullerton, said he renewed his season seats this year primarily because he knew it would give him the chance to take his son to the All-Star Game.

But he was stunned to get the offer in the mail earlier this month and find that securing his four seats in the upper-view section behind home plate for All-Star events would cost $1,913.

“This is supposed to be a game for the kids,” Rocha said. “But at those prices, who can afford it?”

Rocha, 50, a self-employed contractor, said he debated whether to buy his seats this year because he’s struggling financially. He gets a two-for-one season seat package. So his four seats typically cost $10 each.

For the All-Star Game, the Home-Run Derby, a celebrity game and related activities at the stadium – all included in one strip – each seat will cost $410.

On top of that, the package requires the purchase of game programs, tickets to the FanFest and processing fees.

“I just want to go to the All-Star Game and they are requiring me to buy all of this other stuff I can’t afford,” Rocha said. “I’m not that much of a baseball nut that I want to go to everything.”

The Angels are hosting the game, but ticket prices are set by Major League Baseball.

Tim Mead, the Angels spokesman, said the sale of tickets to the All-Star Game and related events is similar to how post-season tickets are sold – in a package.

Mead said he understands fan concerns about the prices, but he doesn’t think the prices that MLB has set are out of line.

“This is a series of gem events highlighted by the All-Star Game,” Mead said. “When (fans) reflect back, I think they’ll agree it’s well worth the commitment.”

Major League Baseball officials determined the prices based on expected ticket demand, and this year’s prices are similar to what the league has charged for past games that have attracted sell-out crowds, said Matt Bourne, an MLB spokesman.

“This is one of the premiere events on the baseball calendar,” Bourne said. “We feel that selling the events as a package is the most effective way and we believe we’ve determined appropriate pricing.”

Other fans say they agree that the prices are steep, but they plan to pay.

“I’m not shocked by it,” said Dave Roberts, who shares four season seats on the field level with friends. “It was here the last time in 1989, so you figure it’ll be another 20 years at least until the All-Star Game is back. I knew it would cost me an arm and a leg coming in.”

Roberts said it makes sense to him that Major League Baseball would try to get a larger cut knowing many of the seats will be resold by ticket brokers and online.

But fan Steve Mathews, who isn’t a season-ticket holder and wants to buy two seats for himself and his son, said the prices will only make scalping worse.

“If they are charging that much at face value, I think we’re looking at paying, what, twice that?” he said. “I mean the All-Star Game is a classic. But I’m not going to get on E-bay or Stubhub and pay $2,000 just to sit up in the nose-bleeds.”

Season-ticket holders have until May 5 to purchase their seats. Otherwise they will be released to the public for purchase.

Those who don’t have season seats can register to purchase up to two ticket strips for the All-Star Game and related activities by going online to angelsbaseball.com. A random drawing of those who register will be held next month and winners will be notified May 28.

Contact the writer: 714-704-3769 or ecarpenter@ocregister.com

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