The few local college games I have attended have had a great in game experience... admission is free, promotions done almost every game, peanuts & tshirts thrown in between innings, not a bad seat at the facility... and yet my local high school charges $5 (lazy in my opinion).
It sounds as though the administration (athletic director, principal, school board) did not have a good handle on the situation... and that is what these people are paid to do.