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

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.