Hot dog!

Tuesday, May 5, 2009

Take me out the crowd.

Buy me some peanuts and Crackerjacks. I don't care ...

How about some beer-battered rockfish and fries? A crabcake platter or crab-stuffed pretzel? Crab balls? A seadog?

I guess any of those would work, too.

Welcome to the home of the Southern Maryland Blue Crabs.

The Blue Crabs are set to play the Long Island Ducks in the opener April 23, starting a second season after finishing both halves of the 2008 schedule as the league runners-up. Fans, players and coaches are excited about their chances again this year … but what about the food?

Personally, all I want at a ballgame is a couple hot dogs and a couple beers. I want to sit down and watch some baseball. Last year, however, it seemed right to test the stadium's mettle a bit, which is why I stood in a fast-moving line in front of Hall of Fame Seafood and ordered beer-battered rockfish and fries. For beer, I had an option of Blue Moon or Coors Light; both appeared to be the same price.

When I sat in my seat it quickly became apparent that the fish and fries is a popular choice. You get a few crispy wedge-shaped pieces of rockfish that are well-done on the outside and fresh on the inside, making for great finger food. The fries were coated with Old Bay seasoning.

Regency Furniture Stadium has the familiar look of most of the other minor league stadiums I have been to in recent years. Part of the appeal is the mobility: You can get where you need to go quickly. A wide corridor winds around the seating and foot traffic flows easily, allowing a first-time visitor to take full stock of the offerings.

Various vendor stands sell regular hot dogs and jumbo hot dogs. The jumbo was a solid ballpark hot dog, juicy — juicy, a bit charred. Condiment stations are near each vendor, and a number of people loaded up their hot dogs with peppers and relish.

All-Star Pizzeria offers slices of pizza with various toppings. They looked like thick, good-sized slices. The majority of vendors offer sausage, kielbasa, cheeseburgers barbecued pulled pork, chicken tenders and fries, buffalo chicken and chicken breast sandwiches.

This season, Three Brothers Pizza will be the official pizza at the park.

There are, of course, the standard pretzels, nachos, cotton candy, popcorn, chips, peanuts and Crackerjacks. Drinks include water, Gatorade, tea, coffee and hot chocolate. The first base end of the stadium, across from the rock climbing wall and playground, has an ice cream stand.

General Manager of concessions Darren Hubbard said there are some new items to look out for this year. "We're really trying to step it up this year," he said.

One such item, named after the mascot, is "The Pincher," a flour tortilla filled with hot dog and mashed potatoes. It is rolled like a burrito, fried like a chimichanga and covered with chili sauce and cheese.

For the new spicy buffalo chicken sandwich, added Hubbard, the chicken will be injected with buffalo sauce.

As for new vendors, the Nutty Bavarian has been invited to sell its roasted cinnamon glazed nuts.

Hubbard said nearly all of the food prices are the same as last year. Prices have increased for only a couple items, he said. Both the Red Hot & Blue picnic pavilion, which includes a two-hour all-you-can-eat deal, and Legends Clubhouse will be available for groups to rent out.

Legends has undergone a more upscale modeling, Hubbard said. This year, people can become a member and gain access to special events, like a Samuel Adams beer dinner. Groups at Legends, in turn, will be able to have their events catered with standard ballpark fare or perhaps beef tenderloin or salmon with dill cream.

Last year I recall making a mental note to try the funnel cake on a return visit. Apparently the deep-fried Pennsylvania Dutch specialty was so popular last year that a second funnel cake stand has been added for 2009.

Hubbard said fans can look forward to other new vendors as well. But he wanted to keep them a surprise for opening-night attendees.