Utica Ballpark Offers 'Peanut-Free' Game For Allergic Fans

UTICA (CBS Detroit) - Buy me some peanuts and crackerjacks — but not this time.

To accommodate fans with life-threatening allergies, the burgeoning United Shore Professional Baseball League will be featuring a "peanut-free" night at Jimmy John's Field on Wednesday, Aug. 10.

According to an announcement on Facebook over the weekend, the 7:25 p.m. game between the Eastside Diamond Hoppers and the Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers will be without some common items normally found at this ballpark and others — including peanuts, Cracker Jacks, Nestle Crunch Bars and Drumsticks, and any other item containing peanuts.

The USPBL and Kosch Dining Solutions, who control all food and beverage service within Jimmy John's Field, will coordinate the menu for the day to accommodate those with allergies, the league said.

According to studies by the Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, more than four million Americans suffer from some type of peanut allergy, and for those people, just being around a peanut or peanut shell (tasting, smelling, or touching) can be life threatening. This move by the USPBL is basically the baseball addition of what's already been seen in classrooms and on planes as the number of known peanut allergies continues to grow.

Reaction to the news on social media has been largely positive, with many praising the league's efforts.

Laura Ofsanko Samuel wrote on Facebook: "Nice job guys. You are already such an asset to our community."

For those who enjoy their nuts, it should be noted that the items listed above will not be sold before, during or after the Aug. 10 game. However, there will be plenty of other food for sale. While Jimmy John's sandwiches are oddly enough not sold at Jimmy John's Field, fans will find other ballpark staples, including hot dogs, sausages, burgers, nachos et. al.

For the drinkers there's beer and liquor for sale, including Tito's Vodka and lemonade sold in mason jars and a bloody Mary bar during select games.

This new independent baseball league has been drawing Macomb County crowds since making its debut in downtown Utica back in March. The three teams, which share the stadium on Auburn Rd. at M-59, aren't affiliated with Major League Baseball teams.

[For tickets and other Jimmy John's Field information, visit the league's website at this link].