Opening Day 2018
Spring has sprung and that means baseball. This Thursday, March 29th is Major League Baseball's Opening Day. For the first time since 1968, all 30 teams will begin play on the same day. Take me out to the ball game!
My 10 year old has been playing baseball for a few years. On a recent trip to California, we visited friends in Los Angeles and they treated us to their seats at Dodger Stadium (thank you Aronow Family). Dodger Stadium was built on top of the historic neighborhood of Chavez Ravine and overlooks downtown LA. Opened on April 10, 1962, it is the third oldest MLB ballpark behind Fenway Park in Boston (1912) and Wrigley Field in Chicago (1914). Despite the record breaking temperatures (and we know what hot feels like living in Big D), our afternoon was pretty perfect that day. It never gets old seeing your child experience something for the first time. We had field passes which gave us a sneak peek at the Lexus Dugout Club home to the Dodgers World Series trophies, Most Valuable Player, Cy Young, Silver Slugger and Rookie of the Year awards and access onto the field before the game. One of the players even gave my son a practice ball. I'm pretty sure that was the start of his ever growing autographed sports memorabilia collection.
Have you been to a game lately? The concession stand is no longer limited to bagged nachos drenched in "cheese" product. Each stadium has their tried and true favorites that add character to their ballpark. Dodger Stadium has the Dodger Dog, Nick's Peanut Cart is the longest running vendor at Boston's beloved Fenway and Wrigley Field boasts Hot Doug's Sausages. But if you're looking for a different option, you can find a wide range of new and specialty foods at most stadiums. Sports venues around the country have definitely upped their culinary games!
If you're heading out for Opening Day, you might find some of the following healthy fan food options:
Grilled Vegetable Panini - Angel Stadium, Anaheim
Vegetable Lo Mein - Busch Stadium, St. Louis
Veggie Burger - Chase Field, Phoenix
Oven-Baked Potato Knish - Citi Field, Flushing
Sushi - Comerica Park, Detroit
Fresh Fruit Platter - Minute Maid Park, Houston
Roasted Tomato Hummus with Pita Chips - Petco Park, San Diego
Fish Tacos - Tropicana Field, St. Petersburg
Hungry yet? Look beyond the usual stadium food - you may be surprised. Tell us what food you love at your local ballpark! Comment below... R and I are waiting to hear :)
