Baseball returning to Montreal?

In an announcement made earlier today by Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred, a new stadium must be in place for any chance in bringing the sport back to Montreal.

The key is for an adequate facility in Montreal that could support baseball over the long haul. The Toronto Blue Jays and Cincinnati Reds are scheduled to play a two-game exhibition series on April 3-4, just days before the start of the regular season following the successful exhibition games at Olympic Stadium in 2014 between the Blue Jays and New York Mets.>

For baseball to return, but succeed in Montreal, commitment and dedication must be put in place in hopes to lure an existing franchise back to the city that failed to draw over 1 million fans in its final seven seasons prior to relocating to Washington D.C. as the Nationals.

The Expos joined the National League in 1969 as MLB's first franchise based outside of the U.S. Acquiring stars like Gary Carter, Pedro Martinez and Vladimir Guerrero, the franchise struggled when the Canadian dollar lost value and efforts to leave Olympic Stadium for a modern facility failed.

Dealing with their own struggles to build a new stadium, the Tampa Bay Rays have recently been linked to the Montreal market, even though team owner Stuart Sternberg has stated that he insists on making baseball in Tampa Bay work. The Rays, locked into a deal with Tropicana Field until 2027 would have to pay the city if they leave their current home.

Time will tell, whether in the present or future on the state of baseball in both Montreal and Tampa Bay.

Forget Hot Dogs and Beer, MLB Teams debuting 2015 offerings

The classic days where hot dogs and beer once dominated ballpark food is facing stiff competition courtesy of the daring but new offerings that several teams from coast-to-coast are debuting. 1902 was the year, a cold April day in at New York Polo Grounds during a Giants game. Under pressure from losing money selling cold sodas and ice cream, a concessionaire Harry Mozley Stevens sent a salesman to buy up all the dachshund sausages they could find, and an equal number of rolls. An hour later, the hot dogs were being hawked at the game. As history dictates, a new American tradition was born.

Over 100 years later, the hot dog still rules the ballpark food empire. With the growing ticket prices and the average persons appetite, MLB teams alike are hard at work creating, debuting out of this world offerings that will cost you close to what you paid for your seat. Last year, I authored an entry that briefly focused on mouth-watering hamburgers, sausages and yes, french fries. Incase you missed that article, it can be read at this link.

Seven days is all that separates the beginning of the 2015 MLB season. Outrageous contracts ink have now dried, promotional items have been unveiled and the lasting effects of a long Winter season have since melted to give us the ballpark gem we have come to love. There is just one last thing missing, the ballpark food debuts for this season.

"Don't mess with Texas" is the perfect introduction as everything is better in Texas, well when it comes to food including BBQ. Last year, the Rangers debuted a perfect-game heavy rotation with their "Beltre Burger" and the "Choomungous", both items that required a fork, knife and many excess napkins just to devour. Both of these food offerings caught my eye during my trip to Ameriquest Field last year that were made fresh in an area of the ballpark that made Souplantation look like it belonged in the Minor Leagues. Chicken and corn are two items that have always complemented each other on a menu, but combined as one? The Chicken-fried corn on the cob deep fried in buttermilk batter comes served on a stick with a lime for a very reasonable price of $5.00. Not sure yet if this is something I am willing to try but you never know until trying it!

BACON! Anytime the word bacon is mentioned, it creates dialogue. It has quickly become a household item found in hamburger patties, Blood Mary's, toothpaste and in ice cream. For a price of $8.25, Candied Bacon is yours to take home inside of a Rangers mini helmet. The Danish bacon pieces are coated with a layer of cinnamon and chili powder.

The Kansas City Royals Advanced-A affiliate, Wilmington Blue Rocks step up to the plate combining sweet, salty and savory all into one. The Krispy Kreme Bacon HotDog Donut with raspberry jelly is sure to rack up the RBIs this season and the taste buds for those fortunate to live in the Delaware area.

Nachos on a stick? Yes, the Milwaukee Brewers join the show this season with their take on the classic ballpark food, nachos. They come layered on a cardboard tray, team helmets and in a plastic bag, but how about on a stick? The meat stick filled with refried beans, crusted in Doritos and topped with sour cream and cheese sauce will surely salivate the thirst of those inside Miller Park that will make a trip to Milwaukee worth it.

This is only a small bite at the bold new items debuting this season at ballparks this season. Anything is possible these days and until next time..