Birmingham Barons fans go nuts over Peanut-Free Night
Children with nut allergies (and their parents) were able to enjoy Barons baseball worry free Wednesday night for the Birmingham Barons Peanut-Free Night. (Molly Vines/Alabama NewsCenter)
From peanuts to Cracker Jacks, baseball games can be an unsafe place for someone with peanut allergies, but that was not the case at Regions Field Wednesday night.
The Birmingham Barons hosted the ninth annual Peanut-Free Night for fans to enjoy a game without the scare of an allergic reaction.
With 1 in every 13 children having a food allergy, it can become tough for families to enjoy games like baseball and softball.
“I usually always have to carry my EpiPen when I attend baseball games, so I have sincerely enjoyed sitting through this game without the stress of having an allergic reaction,” said Zach Jones, who is allergic to peanuts, as he was eating a corndog while wearing his Barons cap.
Regions Field staff was able to spend a week deep-cleaning and pressure-washing the stands to prepare for Peanut-Free Night to ensure that there was no trace of peanut residue in or around the stadium. All foods containing peanuts were placed into storage, and Regions Field staff ensured that no fans brought any peanut products inside on this night.
Peanut-Free Night supporter Morgan Walls, Practice Development manager for Alabama Allergy & Asthma Center, said in an interview that she couldn’t imagine not being able to attend one of America’s greatest pastimes due to an allergy. The center supports this night in hopes that people with peanut allergies can attend a Baron’s game, she said.
Peanut-Free Night drew 5,030 fans to Regions Field. The stress-free night ended in a win by the Barons against the Biloxi Shuckers.
