MLB Ballparks Will Dish Out 20.5 Million Hot Dogs This Year

WASHINGTONNothing helps usher in opening day of Major League Baseball than skipping work and enjoying fan-favorite hot dog and a cool frosty while cheering on your favorite team. And while stadium food has gone upscale over the past few years, Americans are quite frank about their favorite concession itemthe hot dog.

According to the National Hot Dog and Sausage Councils 2012 report, Americans will consume 20.5 million hot dogs this season, enough to round the bases 28,489 times, and if laid end to end would stretch from the new Marlins Ballpark in Miami to Coors Field in Denver. The report also projects ballparks will sell 5.2 million sausages this year.

Rangers Ballpark, home of the Texas Rangers, jumped from fourth place to first place on this years list, and is projected to serve 1.6 million hot dogs over the course of the 2012 season. Citizens Bank Park, home of the Philadelphia Phillies, and Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox came in tied for the No. 2 and No. 3 spots. Both stadiums are predicted to serve 1.5 million hot dogs this season. Dodger Stadium, home of the LA Dodgers, fell from the top spot to No. 4;  New Yorks Yankee Stadium rounded out the top five.

Milwaukees Miller Park maintained its sausage dominance, projected to sell 900,000 sausages this season.

The variety of hot dogs and sausages offered at stadiums this year truly stands out," said National Hot Dog and Sausage Council spokesman Eric Mittenthal. There are so many unique options, fans can just go to the game for the hot dogs and skip the baseball if they want. Traditionalists can still get their dog of choice, but foodies can sample everything from pulled pork to mini potato pierogies on their dogs."