Breakfast at the Ballpark

Man does not live by hot dogs alone. At least not in the morning. Just as I love beer, I have a hard time downing one before noon. I'd also never eat pancakes for dinner. So what do you do when there is a game time of 10 am? Breakfast at the ballpark.

There is something serene and surreal about taking in your morning sustenance while watching the team take the field. Palm Springs is just springing to life when the first pitch is thrown from the mound. A bite of muffin with each crack of the bat and a swing of coffee between batters. My heart rate rises as the caffeine catches catches up with the innings played. By the fourth inning, I have enough coffee-infused energy that I am ready to take the mound and fan a few batters. Then I remember I can't pitch. And I was not invited to play. And taking the field would mean getting ejected from the ballpark.  By that time the first game is nearly over and it is close to lunchtime and I can start looking forward to doing what I was born to do....check out the hot dogs at the ballpark.

If you have never had breakfast at that ballpark give it a try. Rarely, MLB teams have an early start. Sometimes the Boston Red Sox have a morning game due Patriot's day or the marathon or some other schedule-wrecking event. Minor league teams on the other hand have numerous morning games throughout the season to accommodate their travel schedule.

Trust me when I tell you, a morning  ballgame is a good excuse to call in sick for work. You can always finish that project that was due to your boss last week. How often can you eat breakfast while watching the national pastime live? It really is worth risking getting fired over. And if you do get fired, I need someone to help drive this summer.

Baby, It's Cold Outside

There is a big snowstorm coming. Probably. At least where you live. It’s going to be cold and you can sit by the fireplace and talk about the upcoming NFL championship games.

Me? I will be in balmy Palm Springs to catch a few days of the California Winter League. It’s supposed to be in the 70s. Don’t hate me.

The California Winter League is a short season instructional league consisting of 14 teams and over 300 players. It runs from mid January to mid February and plays all games in two ballparks in Palm Springs, California. Its purpose is to provide coaching for unsigned players and allow scouts to take a look at that talent. About half end up with professional contracts or sign with an independent league.

One ticket (about 8 clams) gets you a seat to all three games for the day. That’s a lot of baseball and of course fans will get hungry. I will be testing the dogs at both venues and adding a little color about the ballparks as well. Hopefully the California Winter League takes hot dogs more seriously than the Arizona Fall League. I’ll try to hit a hot dog hot spot or two while there as well.

So while you are breaking out the snow shovel, I’ll be breaking out the sunblock and trying to decide which tee-shirt to wear for the day. Again, don’t hate me….I do it for you.

It's 2016!!!

HAPPY NEW YEAR! It’s 2016 and with that we at the Blog About a Dog wish you the very best in your endeavors over the next twelve months. With the New Year comes new goals, resolutions and ambitions so here is your favorite hot dog blogger’s resolutions for 2016 and then a few for you.

1.   Finish my book sequel. Yeah, I hoped to have it out before spring training, but I got sidetracked putting the finishing touches on my next non-baseball book (yes, I have other talents). The good news is that it is at the publisher now so Doggone Good is now on my front burner.

2.   I have come in possession of coupons good for 52 packs of my favorite hot dog brand, Hebrew National. It’s my intention that between me and my friends they all get eaten.

3.   Finally visit the Nashville Sounds new ballpark.

4.   Discover at least 12 new badass hot dog joints.

5.   Help at least one minor league team improve their hot dog menu.

6.   Help as many people as possible discover the meaty goodness of the American hot dog.

How about you? Need help with your 2016 agenda? You could help mow my lawn or wash my car, but barring interest in that here is a list of items for you to accomplish this year.

1.   Visit the local hot dog place in your hometown. If you take a road trip, seek out the best hot dog in that town.

2.   Offer to write a guest blog at Blog About a Dog regarding the best hot dog near you.

3.   Tune out all of the negativity about hot dogs in the media. Yes, if you eat hot dogs you will die. If you don’t eat hot dogs, you will die. No one is getting out of here alive….live a little.

4.   Catch a ballgame at the nearest ballpark to you.

5.   Take a baseball road trip.

6.   Buy a copy of Gone to the Dogs for a friend (yes, another shameless plug but somebody had to pay for my processed meat habit).

I’ll work on my list and you work on the tasking for you. Remember how fast last year went by? This year will breeze by even quicker. Remember, pitchers and catcher report in only a few short months. And that Super Bowl party you are planning….serve up some hot dogs.