“Buy me some peanuts and Cracker Jack…….”. A simple lyric from a simpler time. While peanuts and Crackerjack are still ballpark staples the times have changed and the choices are greater than ever. This was evidenced last week at Raley Field as the Sacramento Rivercats unveiled their new line of concession stand goodies. The new lineup they have developed is intended to offer variety and freshness with an emphasis on healthier choices. In fact just calling the new menu items food concessions seems inadequate. Cuisine seems more fitting.

Freshness is on display with two new salads, a Cobb salad and a Greek salad as well as a tostada bowl ($7.50). These items offer fresh ingredients and are made-to-order. Other items that also feature freshness and healthy ingredients are the rice bowls (teriyaki and pork, $6.50) and salmon tacos ($7.50).
Elvis Lindsey keeps up with changes in fans' tastes.

There is also a second thrust behind the 2007 concession metamorphosis, one that some may feel is even more important than a wider variety of food choices. That is the elimination of transfats from the fryers and cookers this year. The plan includes using only transfat-free shortening products in the preparation of food on-site and also to work with their food suppliers to eliminate the use of transfats in their processing operations.

Why all the changes? I asked Elvis Lindsey, the General Manager for Centerplate, which is beginning its fifth season as the concessionaire for Raley Field. First of all, nothing is ever static in the food concession business and they constantly seek items that appeal to fans’ varied tastes. Lindsey visited several other ballparks and arenas from Phoenix to Vancouver to Portland to see what items they had that were popular with fans. They also have to replace items that turn out not to be popular. I asked Lindsey what those might be. “The fish and chips we tried last year didn’t sell well at all,” he said. “So we learned from that.”

Despite the movement toward healthier choices there is still room for the sinful indulgence. Witness the Philly cheese steak offering ($7.50). No Philly cheese steak is authentic unless it is smothered in grilled onions and dripping with melted Cheese Whiz. This is a true artery-clogger for the die-hard traditionalists Philadelphia expatriates. There is also a revamped Crispy Chicken Sandwich ($7.00). Last year’s version was a bit mundane and not wildly popular. The 2007 version offers a crispy chicken breast wrapped in prosciutto and provolone--sort of and inside-out Chicken Cordon Bleu.

Between these two extremes lies the Sicilian Po’ Boy Sandwich, which features ham, prosciutto, capicola and provolone served on a fresh baked sandwich roll with roasted peppers.
"Siciliam Po' Boy looks like a good alternative to a hot dog.

For folks who are satisfied with the “traditional” ballpark food items, the Rivercats menu will seem familiar. The barbecued tri-tip sandwich has been popular ever since its introduction, as have been the grilled sausages (Italian, Bratwurst, Kielbasa and Cajun). The majority of the sausages are provided by Alpine Meats which has a major league pedigree as they also provide the sausages for the major league San Francisco Giants.

Now that spring is in the air and baseball season is upon us, our senses detect the familiar sound of horsehide slapping leather, the smell of new-mown grass and the sight of the ball sailing over the outfield wall. The tastes of the ballpark might be less familiar but certainly not less rewarded.
 
A Road Regular Announces Some of his Favorites

Johnny Doskow, the longtime voice of the Sacramento Rivercats, took some time to speak with me during batting practice the other day. I wanted to get his take on ballpark food and eating on the road in general.
Veteran River Cats announcer Johnny Doskow has found some of the best spots in in every road city.

Like the players, Doskow is on the road for long periods of time visiting strange cities. He has time on his hands.

“Eating.” he says without hesitation when asked what he likes about being on the road. “Eating is my hobby when we travel. I like to go to different places and eat.” And the drawbacks? “It is hard to eat healthy. I need to eat better, to make healthier choices.”

The Rivercats first road trip of the year will take them to Tacoma and Portland. I asked Doskow about these destinations. Like a lot of us, he likes his morning coffee and newspaper. While the Seattle area is renowned for it’s wonderful coffee houses, this atmosphere does not extend all the way out to Tacoma. So for him the favored spot in that city is “Southern Kitchen.” He has a similar routine in Portland where he breakfasts at “Mother’s”. He eats there “probably three out of the four mornings I’ll be there.” His favorite items there are the Crunchy French Toast and the turkey hash. “I always have the turkey hash,” he says. “The Crunchy French Toast just melts in your mouth, it is so good.”  

The way the PCL schedule is set up Doskow gets a lot of time in Portland, Tacoma and other points out west. The road trips east are fewer and farther between and include gustatory havens such as Memphis and New Orleans. “Memphis is fantastic,” says Doskow. “I love ribs and blues. “The Rendevous” is probably the most famous rib place in Memphis but there are so many good places there I think it is really about ninth best.”
WXPort

Other cities the ‘Cats visit are not necessarily known for their food, but Doskow has been around the league long enough to know where to go. Like “Mickey Mantle’s Steakhouse” in Oklahoma City. The Oklahoma City ballpark is in a revitalized section of town called Bricktown, which features clubs, restaurants, a brewpub and the arena which housed the New Orleans basketball team last year after it was orphaned by hurricane Katrina.
As difficult as it is to avoid the tempting delights of southern cooking, eating healthy really starts in the press box. Everywhere the ‘Cats travel there is press box food and it isn’t always the healthiest choice. As more teams try to make their concession menus healthier maybe it will get a little easier for Doskow when he is on the road.

Editor’s Note: Not only is California home to five major league teams, the state boasts quite a few minor league operations, as well. Fans of baseball--and fans of food—can access links to Lodging and Dining options near the parks they’ll be visiting this season at the Resource Directory of our sister publication, Taste California Travel.