Take me out to the ballgame

     Among the multi-million dollar structures in the South Philadelphia Sports Complex lies Citizens Bank Park.  It is so named due to a $95 million dollar 25 year naming rights contract with the bank of the same moniker.  The 43,651 seat stadium that opened on April 3, 2004, sometimes called The Little Mudhole, has a playing field 30 feet below street level that is constructed of natural grass and dirt.  The 2008 World Champion Philadelphia Phillies call the stadium home.  But that's not what makes it remarkable.

     The stadium is a veritable smorgasbord of all foods Philly that just so happens to have a sports entertainment attraction at its hub.  Walking along Ashburn Alley, named for Hall of Fame center fielder, Richie Ashburn who played on the team from 1948 to 1959, there are no fewer than 6 food venues.  On the Terrace level you can purchase, at exorbitant prices mind you, cheese steaks, hoagies, sausage sandwiches, pizza,  crab fries, and yes, all manner of barbecued meats, including an entire smoked turkey leg.

     Beneath the jumbotron scoreboard in center field there is Harry the K's Bar & Grille where you can sit down for a pregame meal and enjoy a local favorite, The Schmitter, named after 3rd baseman, Mike Schmidt.  For those seeking to impress a business associate there are the Diamond and Hall of Fame Clubs on the 200 level with exclusive admittance to air conditioned box seats and upscale food options as well as a walk along a museum collection of memorabilia.  There is also the High and Inside Pub behind home plate on the Terrace level for the casual patron.  An outside entrance at the third base gate provides libations at McFadden's Bar & Grille for those wishing a drink before braving the traffic home on the Schuylkill Expressway.

     In addition to all the caloric options at the stadium, it should also be noted that the management is cooperating with the EPA's Green Power Partnership, purchasing 2 million KWh of renewable green energy to operate the stadium.  And all glass, cardboard and plastics used during the games are recycled, as is frying oil, which is converted into bio-diesel.

     One could attend a ball game at "The Bank" and never see the game!