Apple pie, the Fourth of July and Baseball. The definition of summer time in America, right? For our food allergic tribe, baseball has been off limits in major and minor league parks…until recently. Over the last few years more and more clubs and ball parks are recognizing that selling peanuts inhibits the estimated six million kids with food allergies from attending (okay, and the estimated 9 million adults too).
The Reno Aceshas created this lovely list that they promise to keep current of the various peanut controlled areas or peanut free suites being offered around the country!! Talk about progression. Teams such as, the Chicago White Sox, Minnesota Twins, the New York Mets and signing on. Apparently, hese special seatings get sold quickly, so if you are interested you had better buy them tickets quick!
Click here for a current listing of locations and dates of peanut free suites or peanut controlled areas provided by the FAI
We live in Reno, NV and our local minor league team, The Reno Aces, once discussed hosting a peanut free day. I requested a controlled peanut free zone and they thoughtfully explained that due to our constant winds at the ball park there would be no way to safely create a peanut free zone. They explained that if they received enough requests for a peanut free day they would consider it. Apparently, they did not receive enough requests even though many from our local asthma and food allergy parent group emailed. Sadly, it was not enough.
Who doesn’t love a big red guy named Archie?
We have hopes this season of trying to contact the team owners and make our request. You and I both know that no one will perish if they can’t eat peanuts at one game or if a suite is set aside to be nut free. We also know that many children and adults with life threatening food allergies would greatly appreciate having their disease respected as a true disease and to be given a moment to enjoy a great American tradition. I’ve taught my children that there are too many other wonderful things to enjoy in life to get hung up on what they can’t do, but they sure would love being able to participate in a cultural tradition!
One of the hardest things I find about managing both life threatening food allergies and asthma is talking to others. I hate to be the one that might be perceived as demanding, pushing or for asking too much. What I now know, fourteen years later, is that honest, clear information presented with kindness works!..