PETA's 2006 Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly BallparksThe 2006 Major League Baseball season is in full swing, and baseball fans are increasingly looking for tasty ballpark foods that don’t support the cruelty of the meat industry or clog their arteries with saturated fat and cholesterol. Luckily, more and more MLB teams are stepping up to the plate in a major way by offering delicious vegetarian choices. In addition to old standbys like peanuts, popcorn, and Cracker Jacks, baseball fans (vegetarian or not) are enjoying mouth-watering options like fresh-grilled, protein-packed veggie dogs and veggie burgers, hearty burritos, vegetable wraps, and more exotic regional foods. Not only are these choices full of flavor, they are 100 percent cruelty- and cholesterol-free—talk about a double play! Here’s the list of stadiums that have gone all-out for vegetarian and health-conscious fans: 10. (tie) Busch Stadium (St. Louis Cardinals)Busch Stadium has some high-quality options for vegetarian Cardinals fans, including a veggie burger and a vegetarian burrito. It makes sense that the Cardinals are animal-friendly—legendary manager Tony LaRussa is a vegetarian. (He also does extensive work helping cats and dogs and educating people about the enormous companion animal overpopulation problem.) 10. (tie) Miller Park (Milwaukee Brewers)Thankfully, beer is vegetarian-friendly—and so is Miller Park. Brewers fans can help out animals and improve their health by choosing tasty veggie dogs, panini sandwiches, or gourmet wraps. Folks in the club seats can also enjoy a portobello mushroom sandwich and pasta dishes, while tailgaters can receive Gardenburgers upon request. 9. U.S. Cellular Field (Chicago White Sox)Cubs diehards have been drooling with jealousy all season as Sox fans enjoy a World Series trophy and a terrific array of vegetarian choices. Visitors to the South Side can feast on veggie dogs and veggie burgers, along with a fruit cup or “corn off the cob.” 8. Chase Field (Arizona Diamondbacks)The stadium's got a new name, but the quality vegetarian options are still as strong as the Phoenix sun. The Diamondbacks' faithful can enjoy a Gardenburger, vegetarian burritos, a veggie wrap, and a fruit and vegetable platter. Watching the game on TV? Check out our recommendations for the best vegetarian hot dogs, burgers, and other mock meats, many of which are available at your local grocery store. Or try some of these hearty ballgame snacks that you can whip up at home. 7. Citizens Bank Park (Philadelphia Phillies)2006 is shaping up to be the best season ever for animal-friendly Phillies fans. After adding a flame-grilled Gardenburger last season, fans can now chomp down on mouth-watering veggie dogs. (These veggie dogs are available for just $1 on the team’s “dollar dog” days!) Other options include a gourmet tomato pizza (sans artery-clogging cheese) and salads. 6. Coors Field (Colorado Rockies)The home run numbers may be a bit inflated at Coors, but the vegetarian options in the stands don't need any help from the mile-high air. Competition for the most vegetarian-friendly stadium crown is fierce in the N.L. West, but the Rockies are right in the middle of the mix. Visitors to Coors can enjoy Boca veggie burgers, veggie wraps and paninis, and hearty burritos. 5. Safeco Field (Seattle Mariners)With stars Kenji Johjima and Ichiro leading the way on the field and fans enjoying vegetarian sushi in the stands, there's plenty of Japanese influence this year at Safeco. Mariners fans can also chow down on delicious veggie burgers, veggie dogs, and salad. 4. McAfee Coliseum (Oakland Athletics)The A’s top brass will continue to monitor oft-injured Frank Thomas’ health all season, but they don’t have to worry about their fans’ well-being: Vegetarians have lower rates of heart disease, cancer, and obesity than meat-eaters do, and the A’s offer terrific vegetarian fare. Try the veggie burgers or veggie dog, along with a baked potato, a fruit cup, or various salads. If your team made the list, show your thanks by trying some of this delicious fare at the next game. If your favorite club missed the cut, help us persuade team officials to offer more cruelty-free options. Whether you'd like to thank your team or ask them to do more, please send them a polite note. 3. PETCO Park (San Diego Padres)Padres fans know that they can count on two things: Trevor Hoffman nailing down saves and terrific animal-friendly options at concession stands. These include veggie burgers, nachos, veggie dogs, a fruit cup, and salad as well as the vegetarian burritos and pasta dishes available to premium ticket holders. 2. Tropicana Field (Tampa Bay Devil Rays)The Devil Rays are the champs of the American League when it comes to animal-friendly dining. “The Trop,” newly renovated for 2006, features veggie burgers, a vegetarian burrito, black beans and rice, pasta dishes, a fruit cup, and PB&J sandwiches for kids. 1. AT&T Park (San Francisco Giants)A major record has already been shattered this year in San Francisco: AT&T Park is the first stadium to twice be named the #1 Vegetarian-Friendly Ballpark. For the second season in a row, the Giants are the decisive champions as far as vegetarian and health-conscious fans are concerned, setting a new high-water mark for animal-friendly excellence. While watching Bonds' march toward history, Giants aficionados can enjoy Gardenburgers, edamame (boiled soybeans in the pod—a regional favorite), soup (tomato or minestrone), grilled vegetable kebabs, a grilled veggie baguette, veggie hot dogs, and vegetarian sushi. Stadiums Receiving Honorable MentionGreat American Ball Park (Cincinnati Reds): veggie dogs, smoothies, and vegetarian hoagies |