More than peanuts and cracker jack

In my youth, I worked at a minor-league ballpark in food service. What better way to be around baseball if you're not good enough to play it anymore?

Turns out the only way I was around baseball was that I served people who were watching it. Every once in a while you'd see somebody in a baseball uniform - usually the batboy needing some ice. Except when there was a sudden rain storm, and I might be drafted to pull the tarp onto the infield. Got a nice battle scar on my leg when the sewer pipe it was rolled on sliced my calf.

And the food? Well, let's say you won't see it on the menu at finer establishments.

That leads to a fine story from the New York Times this week. One of their writers toured the country reviewing ballpark food from coast to coast, and he was pleasantly surprised at what he found.

There were a few dogs along the way, of course, but there's never been more variety at the concession stands.

His advice: Stay away from burgers and "veggie" offerings. They are so much better at non-ballpark establishments. And if you can't enjoy a beer, don't try to order cocktails at a stadium - you'll likely be disappointed.

For the Times' tour around the ballparks, check out the story, and the interactive graphic that highlights the best and worst from every major-league ballpark.

And more coverage: ESPN.com last year counted down the best signature ballpark food. And so did The Sporting News.