A Glutton for Baseball
January 12, 2007
By Aaron Blaylock

I have what doctors call “a little bit of a weight problem”. Also I loathe the Los Angeles Dodgers and everything they do. That’s why I’m feeling so conflicted about their latest move. This upcoming season the Dodgers will offer an all-you-can-eat section in the right field bleachers. The tickets will cost $35 for advanced purchases and $40 the day of the game.

This news brought a tear to my eye and propelled me to my computer to check southwest.com for air fares to LA. This is not a good idea, it’s a great idea. When you drop $5 bucks on a hot dog and $4 bucks for a drink plus $15 dollars for a ticket, I mean throw in a $3 dollar rice crispy treat and you’re most of the way there.

We live in the fattest country in the world and at first glance this could be viewed as the next plateau for the gluttons of America but I don’t see it that way. If you wanted to gorge yourself you’d go to Golden Corral, the land of the hefty, and pay a third of that.

Like most people I don’t make more money than I can spend. Going to a sporting event is costly and considered a splurge. Dropping money on the ticket alone takes quite a bit of justification on my part. Once at the game the thought of paying the inflated prices for food and drink is distasteful and can be detracting from the overall experience I came to enjoy.

This self-service, buffet style, convenience already built into the price of the ticket would eliminate that sinking feeling you get while reaching for your wallet as lemonade guy passes. Of course there are limitations to this system. Hot dogs, peanuts, popcorn, nachos and soft drinks are all included. Beer, ice cream and candy are not. Still the service will be available starting 90 minutes before the game and last two hours after the game begins.

Look, I’m the cheapest guy I know. When I take my kids to a game I pack PB & J’s and a Ziploc bag full of Cheez-Its. That’s right security will peer a little closer in my diaper bag next time. I’m not saying I’d plunk down for season tickets in this section, a family of four went from $24 to $140, but it’s another creative way to offer options for the fans. So for once I applaud the Dodgers organization and wait for others to follow their lead.