PETA's 2008 Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Minor League Ballparks

PETA's headquarters is in Norfolk, Virginia—home of the Norfolk Tides—so we know that there's nothing better than sitting in the stands on a Saturday afternoon, enjoying a veggie dog and a cold beer or soda, and watching an exciting minor league ballgame. While major league stadiums tend to have a larger selection at concession stands, many minor league teams have recognized the trend toward healthy and humane eating.

Here's our list of the Top 10 Vegetarian-Friendly Minor League Ballparks for 2008 and a sampling of their cruelty-free menu items:

1. MerchantsAuto.com Stadium (New Hampshire Fisher Cats): grilled veggie burgers, vegetarian baked beans, veggie wraps, garden salad, grilled veggie sandwiches, grilled portobello burgers (available on request and cooked to order: veggie burgers, veggie sausages, veggie dogs)



2. Durham Bulls Athletic Park (Durham Bulls): veggie burgers, veggie dogs, portobello mushroom sandwiches, fiesta rice bowl (Uncle Ben's Fiesta Rice Mix prepared with water, picante sauce, and cilantro), grilled veggie wraps, spinach salad, fruit cups



3. PGE Park (Portland Beavers): Tofurky veggie dogs, Tofurky veggie kielbasa, Gardenburger, tempeh vegetable skewers with peanut sauce (available in suites and skyboxes: Mediterranean pasta salad—grilled marinated tofu can be added to any salad)



4. McCoy Stadium (Pawtucket Red Sox): veggie dogs, Gardenburger, veggie trays, veggie wraps, fruit smoothies



5. Cheney Stadium (Tacoma Rainiers): veggie burgers, veggie burritos, veggie tacos, veggie taco salad, large baked potatoes



6. AutoZone Park (Memphis Redbirds): grilled vegetable paninis, veggie dogs, vegetable crudités, fresh fruit juice (available in suites: fruit platters, vegetable platters, edible fruit arrangements, hummus and bruschetta trio, grilled vegetable platters)



7. Ripken Stadium (Aberdeen Ironbirds): fresh fruit displays, garden-fresh vegetable displays, Mediterranean hummus trio, bruschetta, various salads, penne pasta with marinara sauce, chef's vegetable medley, vegetable wraps and sandwiches



8. Frontier Field (Rochester Red Wings): veggie burgers, "worry-free pizza" (made with soy cheese!), baked potatoes



9. Harry Grove Stadium (Frederick Keys): garden salad, vegetarian wraps, vegetarian Philly "steak" sandwiches (made with faux meat—ask to skip the cheese), taco in a helmet without meat



10. Appalachian Power Park (West Virginia Power): veggie burgers, veggie pies, veggie wraps (in the restaurant)

Honorable Mention

• Recreation Park (Visalia Oaks): Gardenburger, portobello sandwiches, fresh salads
• McCormick Field (Asheville Tourists): Morningstar veggie dogs, Gardenburger
• Harbor Park (Norfolk Tides): veggie dogs and veggie burgers
• Greer Stadium (Nashville Sounds): veggie burgers and veggie dogs available upon request for picnics
• Elfstrom Stadium (Kane County Cougars): veggie burgers, meatless taco salad, baked potatoes, roasted sweet corn
• Avista Stadium (Spokane Indians): black bean burgers and fresh salad (veggie dogs are available upon request for group events)

Get started on your vegetarian diet today by ordering a free copy of PETA's "Vegetarian Starter Kit." It's loaded with useful tips and information on going vegetarian, plus mouthwatering recipes. Order one now!

Return to the list of major league stadiums.