Scoreboard Gourmet

How Safe is Ballpark and Stadium Food?

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reviewed health department inspection reports for food and beverage outlets at all 107 North American arenas and stadiums that were home to Major League Baseball, National Football League, National Hockey League and National Basketball Association teams in 2009. At 30 of the venues (28 percent), more than half of the concession stands or restaurants had been cited for at least one "critical" or "major" health violation. Such violations pose a risk for foodborne illnesses that can make someone sick, or, in extreme cases, become fatal.

ScoreboardGourmet surely sees the theoretical value in inspections but the public needs to understand there are many different categories of violation, some not particularly severe. The public also needs to understand that home kitchens are generally way more ripe for problems than restaurant kitchens. Really. That said, this article nicely points out inconsistencies in inspections reporting (inspecting Chicago ballparks on non-game days). And, let's also remember the grossness of all food that been in someone else's hands. Oh yes I'm talking about you, local supermarket deli guy who never changes his gloves.

Check out the story by ESPN's Paula Lavigne: What's Lurking in Your Stadium Food?

MLB Ballparks Opening Dates

In honor of the Twins new ballpark - Target Field (pictured above and in a lovely album in the middle column) - officially opening tomrrow, Monday April 12th, 2010 when the team takes on the Red Sox at 3:10pm, here's a list of all 30 MLB Ballparks and the year they opened.

Big Slugger Nachos at Wrigley Field

New in 2010 at Wrigley - Big Slugger Nachos in an adult-size Cubs helmet! Two-pounds of tortilla chips, chili con carne, cheese, tomatoes, onions, japalenos, black olives, scallions, cilantro, sour cream, intended to satisfy 3-4 people. You can get them at Big Dawgs (lower left field), the Cub House (home plate terrace), and Bleacher Bums (outfield bleachers).

Cubs open at home v the Brewers at 1:20pm on Monday, April 12th.

Perjury Killed the Superstars of Baseball

I"ve been thinking about Performance-Enhancing and I'm not convinced those are the right words to use when referring to steroids. A-Rod still had to swing the bat, Pettitte still had to throw the ball, and Giambi still had to fumble at first base.

I'm not saying I'm pro-drugs, but, as the person sitting next to me just pointed out, I'm not anti-drugs. Level playing field? Before 2004 there was "no penalty system" in MLB which means players were free to smoke 'em if they had 'em (though certain drugs were banned). It was a choice. Isn't entertainment the point of professional sports? Don't we like watching people hit further and run faster? It's not like steroids are a magic pill - I couldn't take them and hit and average of 42 home runs per season (A-Rod's 5 years in the Bronx).

Do not take this away from A-Rod (or us). That's dumb. Does this mean Hank Aaron was a better hitter than A-Rod? We can't know. Ever. Even sans steriods we couldn't know. Get over it.

The thing that I do oppose is lying. Bonds, Clemens, McGwire, Sosa, Tejada and the hundreds of other players who are liars are idiots. It's like pretending you don't dye your hair or whiten your teeth. Be honest. It's like anonymous comments on blogs. Why so ashamed? Nothing is more important than being ok with who you are, and manners.

Wrigley Field Popcorn Tin

Why do I never write about the Cubs? They have one of baseball's most classic and least generic ballparks: Wrigley. Not saying I don't enjoy clean sightlines and being able to sit forward in my seat, but anyone who can get themselves to Wrigley Field should do so as soon as possible. And the Cubs are the NL Central Champs. It's not like I'm recommending you to a Nats game.

Anyway, about Wrigley, some popcorn people have come up with a way to clutter your home, I mean commemorate the ballpark: a tin. You can fill it with their stuff or make fifty batches at home. I vote for option two but warn you to take breaks between batches so whatever your vessel (pot, popper) doesn't overheat. Tin info here. Warning: the top stinks (the design, not the smell). No kickback to me.

Other Wrigley news: The Triple-A Iowa Cubs will play the Las Vegas 51s in the first Pacific Coast League game to be played at Wrigley Field on August 9th, 2009.

And don't forget to consult the Chicago Bar Project for detailed Chicagoland guidance. SG admits her weaknesses.

The Cubs play the Dodgers in Mesa, AZ on 2/25.

Is this my little nod to the Obamas? No. The President is a White Sox fan. But I'm sure he thinks Victory is Sweet.

Ohio Baseball Brawl: Single A

from The Associated Press
DAYTON, Ohio -- Fifteen players and both managers were ejected _ and a fan was sent to the hospital _ following a 10-minute, benches-clearing brawl in a Class-A minor league game between affiliates of the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs on Thursday night.

The ejections were reversed by the league president George Spelius and the game was completed with Dayton winning 6-5.

The fan was taken to the hospital after being hit by a ball thrown by Peoria (Cubs) pitcher Julio Castillo, who was throwing at the Dayton (Reds) dugout but missed during the first-inning melee between Midwest League teams.

After a Preoria player was hit in the top of the first, Castillo hit two batters in the bottom half _ one in the head. The second hit batsmen by Castillo, Angel Cabrerra, made an aggressive slide into second to break up a double play. Castillo followed that by throwing his next pitch up-and-in to the next Dayton batter, prompting Dayton manager Donnie Scott to complain to the home plate umpire. Interim Peoria manager Carmelo Martinez _ filling in for Ryne Sanberg _ came onto the field to join the discussion.

The two managers began arguing, and when Martinez pushed Scott, the benches emptied.

During an hour-long delay, the teams protested the ejections by phone to league president George Spelius, saying they didn't want pitchers playing in the outfield to complete the game.

Spelius will take appropriate action once video footage of the game has been reviewed, Dayton general manager Gary Mayse said in a statement.

A telephone message left by The Associated Press left for Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, who attended the game, was not immediately returned.

Sandberg was in Cooperstown, N.Y., for the weekend's Hall of Fame induction ceremonies. Earlier this season, he was suspended three games for confronting the opposing manager during a game.

what the Cubs / White Sox Series Tie means for ESPN Zone

The naming rights for the ESPN Zone's "Black and Blue Burger" went unclaimed this past weekend as the Cubs and White Sox finished with identical three-game sweeps to leave the season series tied at 3-3 and the all-time series tied at 33-33.

In honor of the rivalry and the series, ESPN Zone officially renamed the burger the "Crosstown Classic: Black vs. Blue Burger" for the rest of the season. Had the White Sox won the series the burger would've been renamed “35th & Shields Black Burger” and had the Cubs won, “Clark & Addison Blue Burger.”

Cubs v White Sox = burger naming rights at ESPN Zone Chiacgo

The Cubs and the White Sox are currently tied 30-30 in interleague play.

ESPN Zone Chicago is looking for the tie to be broken after the upcoming 6-game series. If so, in honor of the winninger team, the restaurant will rename its Black and Blue Burger (half a pound of Angus beef with blackening spices and gorgonzola cheese. it's served on a toasted sesame seed bun with chipotle mayonnaise. yum). $13.99.

If the Cubs win, the Black and Blue will become the “Clark & Addison Blue Burger” and if the White Sox come out on top the burger will be known as the “35^th & Shields Black Burger”

If the teams split the series ESPN Zone will call the burger the “Crosstown Classic Black and Blue Burger”

The new name will be used through the season, at which point SG recommends a football renaming. No further contest necessary as "Black and Blue" already signifies a certain pummeling by a certain Big Blue.

Interleague play in Chicago starts Friday June 20th at 1:20pm (White Sox at Cubs). That's tomorrow.
Other games:
White Sox at Cubs - June 21, 12:05p
White Sox at Cubs - June 22, 7:05p
Cubs at White Sox - June 27, 3:05p
Cubs at White Sox - June 28, 2:55p
Cubs at White Sox - June 29, 7:05p

ESPN Zone Chicago is 43 E. Ohio St. (Corner of Ohio & Wabash)

2 things about the Boise Hawks, more to come

Can anyone watch the game from the Brew City Hawks Nest?

The majority of the Hawks Nest is for our group outings. That said, the Hawks Nest bar area is available with a reservation. Any tables not in use are available on a first-come, first-served basis.

Is outside food allowed?

No. We do, however, make exceptions for medical reasons.

Frosty Malts at Wrigley Field and Kaufman Stadium and other places not in NYC

I am Not a Frosty Malt expert.

What I do know is Chicago Tribune reporter Paul Sullivan (In his "100 Questions for 100 Years" Cubs story) asks and answers:

-What is the tastiest treat ever sold at Wrigley Field?
-Frosty malts. As Steve Goodman sang: "Give everybody two bags of peanuts and a frosty malt, and I'll be ready to die."

That's Paul's #1 question. (Here's the full story, if you're looking for a fun Cubsy read)

The Frosty Malts pictured are the ones sold at Royals games. I also happen to know there are Frosty Malts at the Great American Ballpark. But that's about all I know. I'm hoping some Frosty Malts fans can write in and tell me about this sweet treat.

Daytona Baseball: Cubs and Bethune-Cookman

One afternoon in Daytona, TFMJ and I walked around the Jackie Robinson Ballpark, which is on a little island between the mainland and the beach. I'm pretty sure I already mentioned the history there - it's where Jackie Robinson first played outside of the Negro Leagues.
Anyway, when we saw the maroon-gold-yellow uniforms on the players in the field, we were confused. Daytona's Jackie Robinson Ballpark is home to the Daytona Cubs (Adv-A Cubs); we expected blue-white-red. We watched the practice and felt the team was at about A-level, which didn't answer any questions for us. Finally we had to ask.

We spoke to Assistant Coach Jose Vazquez and realized we were watching the Bethune-Cookman Wildcats. Jose is fantastic. He told us about the school (which went from a school for black girls, to a co-ed high-school, to a junior college, to a 4-year university), and the team (they won the Mid-Eastern Athletic Conference title last year), and places to eat in the area (one of Jose's suggestions - Boondocks - was so great we went twice in three days).

In case you didn't guess, the Wildcats and the Daytona Cubs share Jackie Robinson Ballpark.

Bethune-Cookman is home again Friday March 28th v Savannah State at 6pm. The Daytona Cubs first game of the season is April 3rd v the Brevard County Manatees  (Milwaukee Brewers) at 7:05p.

More about the Ballpark's food and Jose's restaurant suggestions to come...