4 ms·

> Yes of course if you buy a whole bunch of Stadium food it is expensive, but one of the entire gimmicks of the baseball stadium is that they make most of the m

> Yes of course if you buy a whole bunch of Stadium food it is expensive, but one of the entire gimmicks of the baseball stadium is that they make most of the money on beer and food. The thing is, food is optional! This is a form of progressive pricing that allows the team to charge people who are price insensitive more while still being affordable. I don't think it's realistic to expect a family of four to have a good time sitting through a three hour baseball game without any food. And if their historical pricing data is correct, food and drink prices were comparatively much more reasonable in the 60s, so it's not a inherent property of ballparks to have outrageous concession prices. > One last thing is to note that the experience at the stadium has changed enormously. Stadiums in the 60s were basically a bigger version of high school bleachers. Now they’re luxury palaces. Here's a picture of the seats at Coors Field today [0]. Here's some pictures of 1960s baseball stadium seating [1][2]. They look pretty much the same to me. Now you get a cupholder, I guess? [0]: https://www.thedenverchannel.com/sports/rockies/heres-what-going-to-a-rockies-game-at-coors-field-will-look-like-this-year https://www.thedenverchannel.com/sports/rockies/heres-what-g... [1]: https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/sports/baseball/al-jackson-dead.html https://www.nytimes.com/2019/08/19/sports/baseball/al-jackso... [2]: https://nxstrib-com.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/2015/04/cubs6.png https://nxstrib-com.go-vip.net/wp-content/uploads/sites/5/20...

njarboe 4y ago
When I went to an Oakland A's game about a decade ago you were allowed to bring in your own food (not alcohol, of course). Not sure if that is still the case or if other stadiums allow that also. Getting a hot dog is fun, but you could bring in peanuts, popcorn, sandwiches, etc. and many people did.
- crftr 4y ago
  I'm a Padres fan, and I regularly see folks bring in Jimmy John sandwiches and candy. It's not a secret, but rarely publicized either.
  - bombcar 4y ago
    FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICIES The San Diego Padres permit guests to bring food into Petco Park intended for individual consumption (not for groups of individuals) and should be consumed in one’s seat. Outside food cannot be brought into any ballpark restaurant, club lounge, or suite. Guests must also adhere to the following: All food items should be wrapped, bagged, or left inside a container to avoid spillage. Food that might be thrown as a projectile must be sliced or sectioned (i.e., oranges, apples, and other fruits). Food containers must be soft-sided and comply with Petco Park bag policies. Guests are allowed to bring one factory-sealed plastic bottled water that is still, clear, and unflavored and that is one (1) liter (32 ounces) or less, and soft-sided single juice or milk containers or ADA required liquids in a sealed container. One (1) liter reusable water bottles (no glass) are permitted and must be empty upon entry into the ballpark. California liquor regulations prohibit guests from bringing alcoholic beverages into Petco Park. Security officers at every gate will inspect packages, bags, and purses to prevent guests from bringing bottles, cans, or any other type of liquid containers of alcohol into Petco Park. Seems pretty reasonable all things considered.
- odysseus 4y ago
  Yep. Yankee Stadium (at least when I went) allowed this too. We brought homemade deli sandwiches for the family and bought beers at the stadium.
kgermino 4y ago
> I don't think it's realistic to expect a family of four to have a good time sitting through a three hour baseball game without any food. There’s a big leap from not wanting to spend a lot on concessions to not eating anything. This isn’t a movie theater. I usually just bring snacks from home and/or but food outside the stadium and bring it in. It’s gotten harder as we’ve locked things down for “security” since you usually can’t bring a big bag in anymore, but even with kids it’s very doable.
- neutronicus 4y ago
  There was a viral post on social media about a couple Orioles fans who brought a gallon ziploc of spaghetti and meatballs to Camden Yards (park policy says you can bring in one gallon ziploc) and ate out of the bag with a fork in their seats.
- TulliusCicero 4y ago
  I thought they didn't let you bring in outside food these days.
  - bombcar 4y ago
    Most will because of eating issues/disorders/ADA/babies - but they ban things like unpeeled oranges because fans throw them at the players. Check your local stadium's policies.
- AlwaysRock 4y ago
  I think this varies for every stadium right? some let you, some dont. Almost all are not advertising the fact that they let you if they do.
ahtihn 4y ago
> I don't think it's realistic to expect a family of four to have a good time sitting through a three hour baseball game without any food. No wonder Americans are so fat. Really, 3 hours without food isn't realistic?
- allturtles 4y ago
  I don't know if you have children, but my kids will not generally go 3 hours without eating without getting grumpy, no. As an aside, they are not fat (and neither am I). Ball games are also frequently scheduled at meal times (around noon for day games or around 6pm for night games). You may want to also consider that your comment comes across as pretty insulting.
  - watwut 4y ago
    How old they are? And seriously, an apple and maybe small sandwich or crackers should be enough for kid for three hours. Except babies, kids don't need full mean every three hours. Few fruits + something and definitely enough, no need to buy food in place.
    - allturtles 4y ago
      This is turning into a parenting advice thread which is pretty far afield from the point. Yes there are potential workarounds at ballparks that let you bring in food. If you check in advance on exactly what's allowed, you can often pack what you need. The point of the OP is that you didn't used to have to do that. You could just go to the ballpark, have some food and drink and enjoy yourself on a middle-class income, without worrying about being gouged for $10+ for a hot dog or $15 for a beer.
- llbeansandrice 4y ago
  I mean it's longer than that. You eat before the game so you have to go out somewhere hopefully near the stadium or worse at home. Some are in downtown areas and are accessible others [are not.](https://preview.redd.it/39fpjlmmvui31.jpg?width=1024&auto=webp&s=5fc2d18d415d7214ecdf231e043b2ae3efd0b6b1 https://preview.redd.it/39fpjlmmvui31.jpg?width=1024&auto=we...) The game itself might last 3 hours but getting in and out, travel time to the stadium, are you getting there when the game starts or before? You can easily push over 4 hours between food. How well is a young kid going to do for +4hrs outside with no food or water?

njarboe 4y ago

When I went to an Oakland A's game about a decade ago you were allowed to bring in your own food (not alcohol, of course). Not sure if that is still the case or if other stadiums allow that also. Getting a hot dog is fun, but you could bring in peanuts, popcorn, sandwiches, etc. and many people did.

crftr 4y ago
I'm a Padres fan, and I regularly see folks bring in Jimmy John sandwiches and candy. It's not a secret, but rarely publicized either.
- bombcar 4y ago
  FOOD AND BEVERAGE POLICIES The San Diego Padres permit guests to bring food into Petco Park intended for individual consumption (not for groups of individuals) and should be consumed in one’s seat. Outside food cannot be brought into any ballpark restaurant, club lounge, or suite. Guests must also adhere to the following: All food items should be wrapped, bagged, or left inside a container to avoid spillage. Food that might be thrown as a projectile must be sliced or sectioned (i.e., oranges, apples, and other fruits). Food containers must be soft-sided and comply with Petco Park bag policies. Guests are allowed to bring one factory-sealed plastic bottled water that is still, clear, and unflavored and that is one (1) liter (32 ounces) or less, and soft-sided single juice or milk containers or ADA required liquids in a sealed container. One (1) liter reusable water bottles (no glass) are permitted and must be empty upon entry into the ballpark. California liquor regulations prohibit guests from bringing alcoholic beverages into Petco Park. Security officers at every gate will inspect packages, bags, and purses to prevent guests from bringing bottles, cans, or any other type of liquid containers of alcohol into Petco Park. Seems pretty reasonable all things considered.
odysseus 4y ago
Yep. Yankee Stadium (at least when I went) allowed this too. We brought homemade deli sandwiches for the family and bought beers at the stadium.

kgermino 4y ago

> I don't think it's realistic to expect a family of four to have a good time sitting through a three hour baseball game without any food. There’s a big leap from not wanting to spend a lot on concessions to not eating anything. This isn’t a movie theater. I usually just bring snacks from home and/or but food outside the stadium and bring it in. It’s gotten harder as we’ve locked things down for “security” since you usually can’t bring a big bag in anymore, but even with kids it’s very doable.

neutronicus 4y ago
There was a viral post on social media about a couple Orioles fans who brought a gallon ziploc of spaghetti and meatballs to Camden Yards (park policy says you can bring in one gallon ziploc) and ate out of the bag with a fork in their seats.
TulliusCicero 4y ago
I thought they didn't let you bring in outside food these days.
- bombcar 4y ago
  Most will because of eating issues/disorders/ADA/babies - but they ban things like unpeeled oranges because fans throw them at the players. Check your local stadium's policies.
AlwaysRock 4y ago
I think this varies for every stadium right? some let you, some dont. Almost all are not advertising the fact that they let you if they do.

ahtihn 4y ago

> I don't think it's realistic to expect a family of four to have a good time sitting through a three hour baseball game without any food. No wonder Americans are so fat. Really, 3 hours without food isn't realistic?

allturtles 4y ago
I don't know if you have children, but my kids will not generally go 3 hours without eating without getting grumpy, no. As an aside, they are not fat (and neither am I). Ball games are also frequently scheduled at meal times (around noon for day games or around 6pm for night games). You may want to also consider that your comment comes across as pretty insulting.
- watwut 4y ago
  How old they are? And seriously, an apple and maybe small sandwich or crackers should be enough for kid for three hours. Except babies, kids don't need full mean every three hours. Few fruits + something and definitely enough, no need to buy food in place.
  - allturtles 4y ago
    This is turning into a parenting advice thread which is pretty far afield from the point. Yes there are potential workarounds at ballparks that let you bring in food. If you check in advance on exactly what's allowed, you can often pack what you need. The point of the OP is that you didn't used to have to do that. You could just go to the ballpark, have some food and drink and enjoy yourself on a middle-class income, without worrying about being gouged for $10+ for a hot dog or $15 for a beer.
llbeansandrice 4y ago
I mean it's longer than that. You eat before the game so you have to go out somewhere hopefully near the stadium or worse at home. Some are in downtown areas and are accessible others [are not.](https://preview.redd.it/39fpjlmmvui31.jpg?width=1024&auto=webp&s=5fc2d18d415d7214ecdf231e043b2ae3efd0b6b1 https://preview.redd.it/39fpjlmmvui31.jpg?width=1024&auto=we...) The game itself might last 3 hours but getting in and out, travel time to the stadium, are you getting there when the game starts or before? You can easily push over 4 hours between food. How well is a young kid going to do for +4hrs outside with no food or water?