000387 Baseball Stadiums Will Serve Up 26.5M Hot DogsMarch 31, 2000Washington - Opening day of the 2000 Major League Baseball season signals the return of America's love affair with baseball and hot dogs at the ballpark. This season, the National Hot Dog & Sausage Council estimates that 26.5 million hot dogs will be enjoyed this season at America's baseball stadiums, an increase of 500,000 hot dogs from the 1999 season. The Council's estimates are based on a survey of ballpark concessionaires. A continued strong U.S. economy, combined with increased per capita spending for family entertainment, will contribute to higher consumption. Another contributing factor in the increase of hot dog sales is the growth of concession sales at America's brand new, improved baseball stadiums. Of course, America's love for the national pastime -- eating hot dogs at the ballpark -- remains the real reason for strong hot dog sales this season. To put 26.5 million hot dogs in perspective, that's enough hot dogs to stretch end-to-end from Dodger Stadium to the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown, NY, -- truly “hall of fame worthy” hot dog sales numbers! Who will eat the most hot dogs this year? Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles is the perennial hot dog sales king. Dodger fans will eat an estimated 1,334,160 “Dodger Dogs” this season. The Ballpark in Arlington, home of the Texas Rangers, expects to sell one million hot dogs, while fans at Bank One Ballpark in Phoenix will eat an estimated 500,000 hot dogs this season while cheering on the Diamondbacks. Many baseball stadiums are making an extra effort this season to offer special “kids hot dogs” to baseball's youngest fans. The Philadelphia Phillies offer the “Phanatic Phrank” to youngsters. Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh features the “Kid's Dog” at a special “Kidcession” Stand. Oriole Park at Camden Yards expects to sell thousands of Kids Dogs to young Orioles fans. Some other “frank facts” about hot dogs at America's ballparks: North of the border in Montreal, hot dogs are the #1 ranked concession item for Expo fans -- 500,000 hot dogs will be sold at Olympic Stadium this season. Hot Dogs are also the most popular item in Milwaukee County Stadium, but bratwurst sales run a close second. Philadelphia fans will enjoys a brand new “All American Hot Dog Stand” this season, which features different hot dog toppings from cities across the United States. For instance, the “Atlanta Dog” is served with coleslaw, chili and onions. No matter what the topping, Americans can all agree that the 2000 baseball season promises to be another banner year for hot dog lovers. The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council is a project of the American Meat Institute Foundation. The Council offers recipes, photographs, cooking and storage tips, fun-filled facts and trivia and other general information about hot dogs and sausages and hosts the ever-popular site www.hot-dog.org. The Council also sponsors July's National Hot Dog Month and National Hot Dog Day, scheduled for July 19, 2000.
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