The 10 Riskiest MLB Stadiums to Grab a Bite In

By (Featured Columnist) on May 26, 2011

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NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 31:  The New York Yankees and the Detroit Tigers look on as West Point Cadets unfurl the American Flag during the opening ceremonies on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 31, 2011 in Bronx borough of New York City.  (Photo by Nick
Nick Laham/Getty Images

For every person that loves going to the ballpark on a summer evening to catch their favorite team in action, there's at least one other person who just goes for the food and drinks.

Ballpark cuisine has certainly evolved since the days of a hot dog and a soda. Stadiums have created variations of virtually every type of food imaginable, from sushi to walk-a-tacos.

With the increased offerings, however, there is the increase in room for error. Vendors come from all walks and strive to provide great products, while also managing staff and keeping the all-important customer happy.

An article published by ESPN last summer outlined infractions that venues across all of sports have encountered. Some may be as minor as a lack of hand-washing stations, while others are noticeably more alarming.

Here are a few select stadiums whose violations stood out above the rest.

Coors Field

DENVER, CO - MAY 10:  Dramatic skies loom over the stadium as the sun sets as the New York Mets face the Colorado Rockies at Coors Field on May 10, 2011 in Denver, Colorado.  (Photo by Doug Pensinger/Getty Images)
Doug Pensinger/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 62 percent

Set in one of the most majestic backdrops imaginable, Coors Field is likely one of the best places to grab a cold brew while watching the game.

Their food care on the other hand leaves something to be desired. Aside from nearly two thirds of all vendors having notable violations upon inspection, the stadium was cited for storing dairy products including sour cream and cheese above 50 degrees.

Sun Life Stadium

MIAMI GARDENS, FL - MAY 20: A vendor sells peanuts during a game between the Florida Marlins and the Tampa Bay Rays at Sun Life Stadium on May 20, 2011 in Miami Gardens, Florida.  (Photo by Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images)
Mike Ehrmann/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 93 percent

Sun Life Stadium may be a great place to get some sun, but you might want to stick with water if you're looking to quench your thirst.

In 2009, an employee notified inspectors that insects were being blended into drinks. Sure enough the sanitation of the equipment was a glaring issue upon inspection.

Tropicana Field

ST. PETERSBURG, FL - APRIL 01:  A wide view of Tropicana Field during the Opening Day game between the Tampa Bay Rays and the Baltimore Orioles on April 1, 2011 in St. Petersburg, Florida.  (Photo by J. Meric/Getty Images)
J. Meric/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 100 percent

The infractions that vendors encountered at Tropicana Field mostly related to the cleanliness of food preparation devices.

The most alarming part may be that every single vendor in the ballpark was cited.

Turner Field

ATLANTA, GA - MAY 15:  Hall of Famer Hank Aaron is honored prior to the MLB Civil Rights between the Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies at Turner Field on May 15, 2011 in Atlanta, Georgia.  (Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 19 percent

With 19 percent of vendors encountering health standard infractions, Turner Field is relatively low overall.

Their most notable issue may have been a widespread one, however, as bacterial growth was noted on a ketchup dispenser, perhaps the most widely used condiment in a given ballpark.

Kauffman Stadium

KANSAS CITY, MO - MARCH 31:  Tina Maddigan performs the National Anthem prior to the start of the opening day game between the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim and the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium on March 31, 2011 in Kansas City, Missouri.  (Photo
Jamie Squire/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 62 percent

With around two-thirds of the vendors in some violation of safety standards, the most common revolved around the unsafe temperatures that food was stored at.

Citi Field

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 08:  Singer Michael Amante performs the National Anthem prior to the New York Mets playing against the Washington Nationals during the Mets' Home Opener at Citi Field on April 8, 2011 in the Flushing neighborhood of Queens in New York
Al Bello/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 45 percent

Citi Field may be one of the newest ballparks in baseball, but it's not immune to infractions.

In a potentially very harmful situation, inspectors noted that refrigerators housing chicken were at a temperature of 70 degrees, nearly twice the allowable temperature.

Yankee Stadium

NEW YORK, NY - MARCH 31:  The National Anthem is performed by Haley Swindal as the US Navy Super Hornet flyover takes place before the New York Yankees face the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day at Yankee Stadium on March 31, 2011 in the Bronx borough of New
Jeff Zelevansky/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 48 percent

Another new ballpark, Yankee Stadium is one of the true gems in baseball.

But you might want to take a closer look before indulging in a cocktail after inspectors found that some fruit flies were swimming in a bottle of whiskey.

Rangers Ballpark in Arlington

ARLINGTON, TX - MAY 24:  Workers cover the field at Rangers Ballpark in Arlington before a rain delay between the Chicago White Sox and Texas Rangers  on May 24, 2011 in Arlington, Texas.  (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images)
Ronald Martinez/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 62 percent

More than half of the vendors at the Rangers Ballpark in Arlington incurred at least some sort of violation. It appears that one in particular had some work to do.

With 12 violations alone, a pizza vendor was cited for a multitude of infractions.

PNC Park

PITTSBURGH - APRIL 07:  A statue stands out in front of at PNC Park prior to the Opening Day game between the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Colorado Rockies on April 7, 2011 at PNC Park in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.  (Photo by Jared Wickerham/Getty Images)
Jared Wickerham/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 53 percent

It goes without saying that one of the fundamentals to keeping food safe and clean is to keep yourself clean.

That can be a more difficult proposition without hot water, as inspectors noted that restrooms failed to have it running.

Great American Ballpark

CINCINNATI, OH - MARCH 31: Edinson Volquez #36 of the Cincinnati Reds delivers the first pitch to Rickie Weeks #23 of the Milwaukee Brewers during the opening day game at Great American Ballpark on March 31, 2011 in Cincinnati, Ohio. (Photo by Joe Robbins
Joe Robbins/Getty Images

Vendors with critical violations: 40 percent

This is pretty gross. Apparently during one inspection a safety inspector witnessed an employee attempting to clean residue off of a spatula using a garbage can and then try to reuse the tool before cleaning.

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