Wrigley And Guaranteed Rate Field's Peanut Allergy Friendly Days

CHICAGO, IL — The 2019 MLB season is in full swing. And while Chicago Cubs and White Sox fans are excited to have baseball back, it’s a good time to remember that buying peanuts and Cracker Jack isn’t fun for everyone. In fact, it could be the difference between life and death.

In fact, about one in 90 Americans is allergic to either tree nuts or peanuts, according to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Disease, and the number of kids with peanut allergies tripled between 1997 and 2008. Furthermore, about 150 people die each year from food allergies.

While most allergic reactions aren’t life-threatening, some can cause severe reactions, known as anaphylaxis.” Those most vulnerable to such severe reactions often have to carry special adrenaline, or epinephrine, injector pens.

So it’s no wonder that more and more baseball teams are offering peanut allergy-friendly games. According to Spokin, an online food allergy resource site, 26 teams now offer peanut allergy-friendly games or seating.

The peanut allergy-friendly games at Guaranteed Rate Field will take place June 1 and Aug. 25. Ticket prices for the games range from $18 to $35 per ticket. Contact Sean Dwyer at 312-674-5354 or SDwyer@chisox.com for tickets.

"Tickets to peanut allergy-friendly areas of the Club level will be sold for $35, and tickets to a reserved area of the Upper Level will be sold for $18-22," according to Spokin. "The area will be cleaned thoroughly before the game, and a service representative will make sure that only people with tickets for the peanut allergy-friendly section are allowed into the area. All guests will be allowed to park in the Red Lot and enter through the Chicago Sports Depot for direct access to the Club Level."

Over in Cubs territory at Wrigley Field, the peanut allergy-friendly game is set for April 14. While tickets are currently sold out, you can be added to the peanut allergy-friendly list by calling 800-THE-CUBS or emailing fanservices@cubs.com.

"As the long-awaited restoration and expansion of Wrigley Field nears completion, the Chicago Cubs are now equipped and thrilled to hold the very first peanut allergy-friendly game in the stadium’s 104 year history," according to Spokin.

Spokin adds that part of the restoration at Wrigley includes a new enclosed premier entrance and suite level, to allow the Cubs to host their peanut allergy-friendly game in two of the newly renovated suites.

And remember, you can always click here to find tickets. Enter the promo code “PatchTickets10” to get 10 percent off.

Three teams, the Oakland A’s, Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Rays, go “above and beyond” to make their stadiums safe for fans with nut allergies, according to Spokin.

The Diamondbacks have a reserve suite for such fans that comes with a private bathroom. The A’s offer a peanut-controlled zone for all home games, meaning the food is banned in certain seating areas. The Rays allow people to call ahead and reserve a suite designated as a peanut-allergy zone.

Notably, the Hartford Yard Goats, the Double-A Eastern League Affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, recently became the first professional sports team to outright ban all peanut products at the ballpark. That includes shelled peanuts and Cracker Jack. The team did so in an “effort to make the venue more accessible for those with peanut and tree nut allergies.”

The team banned peanuts following a series of meetings with concerned parents.

"Everyone should have the opportunity to experience the atmosphere at Dunkin' Donuts Park," team President Tim Restall said in a release. "With more than 200 food items available, it makes sense to eliminate just two that allows fans with peanut allergies to attend games."

Patch national staffer Dan Hampton contributed to this report.

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