<human>: I was at a concert in Wisconsin this past weekend. I was tailgating with about 25 people who I knew. A few of my friends went into the car we drove there with and started smoking some weed. I was a few cars over drinking with some other friends. Next thing I know, someone tells me our car is getting searched by undercover police. I knew instantly I was in trouble because I had a few joints rolled for the concert. I also had one ecstasy pill and one 10mg adderall pill (not perscribed) in my backpack in the car. My ID and phone were in the backpack as well, so I knew I was going to get caught. I cooperated fully and didn't lie to the police at all. I was taken to the police tent and given a $500 ticket for weed possession, and a $1000 paraphernalia ticket for each pill for a total of $2500. I know I'm very lucky that i didn't get arrested. The police gave me a number to call later this week and told me to "play ball" and try to get the tickets reduced. I'm about to be a senior in college and I really can't afford this at all right now. I've never been in any trouble with the law before. My question is what exactly does that mean to "play ball" and what should I say when I talk to them? Any help at all would be appreciated.

Could you distill the essence of the text into 1-3 sentences?
<bot>: $2500 worth of tickets for drugs/paraphenalia. The cop gave me a number to call and wrote down that I should "play ball." I need clarification on how to handle the situation.