Behind The Label

Baseball’s draw is not just for the sport, traditions, and players themselves. It’s amazing, crazy, and fun food serves as its own humongous attraction. Whether it be hot dogs, hamburgers, baseball cap nachos, huge soft pretzels, or ice cream in a baseball cap, it all sounds AMAZING!! Well, just until you sit down in your seats.

Those in rows ahead of you, behind you, to the right of you, and to the left of you are eating the infamous Cracker Jacks or bagged peanuts. You hear the workers running up and down the rows screaming, “Peanuts, Peanuts, come get your peanuts!!” All you hear is chewing, followed by a spit, with peanut shells being thrown down onto the floor. Every next step you take is then followed by a crack from the contact of your shoe and the peanut shell on the floor. You’re nervous that the guy behind you’s peanuts will fly into your food. “Whatever happened to sunflower seeds?” I thought to myself.

This idea of nonstop surroundings of peanuts freaked me out. And I know I’m not alone. But as someone who absolutely loves sports and is a huge fan of all the New York sports teams (Jets, Islanders, Mets, and Knicks to be exact), this was not at all going to stop me from enjoying myself and attending these games. I was not going to let the peanuts win.

I ended up discovering some tips and tricks I use in my baseball attending experiences that make all the difference in me feeling safer and comfortable, allowing me to fully experience the tradition, joy, and fun experiences that come with attending an MLB game.

1. Wipe your seat down

In a typical MLB baseball stadium, there are over 41,000 seats to choose from. I find it easy to just bring a small pack of Clorox wipes to make sure my seat is peanut-bacteria free from anyone previously sitting in my seat. This not only decreases peanut contact around me but makes me feel more comfortable, and increases my ability to actually enjoy the game.

2. Sit at the end of the row to minimize peanut contact

Whether it be sitting at the school lunch table, dinner table, or on an airplane, sitting on the end of that row or table only allows you to sit directly next to one person. Thus, totally decreasing your chances of being sat next to someone eating nuts by half!! Especially if you attend the game with someone you know and you sit on the end with them, your chances of coming into direct contact with a peanut then completely decrease and allows for more comfort to be felt throughout the entire game with a peanut allergy.

3. Find Peanut-Safe areas

Believe it or not, many professional MLB teams, such as the Los Angeles Dodgers and Boston Red Sox, offer certain games with designated seating and “peanut allergy friendly nights” where peanut products will not be served in a certain area of the Club Level for that game. This is an amazing option and a step towards the right direction for those with severe peanut allergies and makes a difference in so many lives as it offers another layer of comfort and safety, allowing for no worry of possible peanut contamination and an amazing option to enjoy this peanut-free baseball game as much as you can!!

4. Breathing exersices

While yes, being at a baseball game filled and surrounded by peanuts can be overwhelming, you just have to remind yourself that it is okay, and that you too will also be okay. A typical baseball stadium covers 1.2 million square feet, and it is composed of open air already minimizing and decreasing peanut exposure. Additionally, using anxiety-decreasing breathing exercises such as deep breathing and nostril breathing helps decrease any anxiety present and will allow you to feel more comfortable and actually enjoy the game

So the next time you find yourself sandwiched in a seat at a baseball game watching the New York Mets take on the New York Yankees in the traditional, highly-anticipated Subway Series at Citi Field, seeing peanut shells on the floor, remember that it is okay!! You will be completely fine and just enjoy yourself. Make sure to purchase allergy-safe food without nuts, such as ice cream or a hamburger, and enjoy the game just as one would peanut allergy or not.

And as always, remember, take me out to the ball game!!!