Friends, Beers, And Baseball: Can They Mix?

Beer is a staple of baseball games, and while some stadiums allow you to bring your own, most require you to buy it inside. In the US, the beer guy is king, but in Japan, most beer sellers are young women. Beer sales at games usually end in the seventh inning to prevent fan unruliness and potential drunk driving, but some stadiums have extended sales into the eighth inning. So, if you're planning to attend a baseball game and want to enjoy a beer with your friends, it's best to check the rules of the specific stadium you'll be visiting.

Beer at baseball games is a male-dominated industry

Beer vending at baseball games in the U.S. is a male-dominated industry. Christy Colt, a beer vendor at Nationals Park in Washington, D.C., is the only female vendor who works every home game. There are a few other women who work as fill-ins or for special events. Colt has been selling beer at Nationals Park since the ballpark opened in 2008. She is an experienced vendor, having started selling beer in college. According to Jeff Scheidhauer, the vice president of JET Services, which manages vending for the Nationals, the job is physically demanding and has a high attrition rate for both men and women. Vendors are required to be "physically capable of walking up and down aisles in a stadium while carrying a load of up to 40 pounds." During busy games, Colt has carried up to 60 pounds of beer and ice.

Colt has faced challenges as a female vendor, including inappropriate comments from drunk fans. She has also had to deal with stereotypes about her gender, with people assuming that carrying heavy loads would be too difficult for a woman. Despite these challenges, Colt enjoys her work and has the support of her supervisor and fans.

In contrast to the U.S., in Japan, where baseball is also popular, most beer sellers are young women. The difference in gender dynamics in the two countries' baseball cultures is notable, with the "beer guy" being the norm in the U.S. and female vendors being an uncommon sight at Major League Baseball games.

Bringing your own beer to baseball games

Bringing your own beer to a baseball game is a common practice, especially when the prices inside the stadium are high. Some people have shared their experiences and creative ways of sneaking beer into baseball stadiums. Here are some methods people have used:

• Whiskey in a flask: This method allows for discreet drinking, and some people opt to drink directly from the flask or pour it into another drink.
• Beer in a bag: People often put beer cans or bottles in a bag and walk into the stadium without being stopped.
• Creative food wrapping: Some individuals wrap beer cans in food packaging, such as sandwich paper or hoagie wrap, to disguise them as food items.
• Pringles containers: Beer cans can be concealed inside empty Pringles containers, providing a discreet way to bring beer into the stadium.
• Water bottles: In some cases, individuals have brought in water bottles filled with other beverages, such as gin or vodka, instead of beer.
• Creative containers: Some people use unconventional containers like flasks shaped like binoculars or disposable flasks to sneak in alcohol.
• Drinking before entering: Some individuals opt to drink their beer or other alcoholic beverages in the parking lot before entering the stadium to avoid paying high prices.
• Vending policies: In Japan, some baseball stadiums allow fans to bring their own beer and provide paper cups and lids, creating a positive experience for fans.

While these methods have been shared by baseball enthusiasts, it is important to note that bringing your own beer to a baseball game may not always be allowed and could violate stadium policies. It is essential to check the rules of the specific stadium you are visiting to avoid any issues.

Buying beer at baseball games

In college baseball stadiums, the rules can vary as well. Some stadiums sell beer, while others allow fans to bring their own drinks, including alcohol, as long as it's not in glass bottles. At Mississippi State, for instance, the policy is no alcohol on campus, but fans can bring in drinks as long as they are in cans and not bottles. At the University of Louisville, beer is sold at all sports events.

In Japan, the rules are more relaxed, and fans are allowed to bring their own beer to baseball games. The beer is poured into paper cups, given a lid, and fans are provided with a cardboard carrier to take it to their seats. This practice has led to increased food and beverage sales, as well as a boost in merchandise sales, as fans feel they have more money to spend.

Overall, the rules around buying and consuming beer at baseball games can vary depending on the location and the specific policies of the stadium or league. It is always a good idea to check the rules before bringing your own drinks or planning to purchase them at the game.

Drunk fan behaviour

There have been numerous incidents of drunk fans causing disturbances, making inappropriate comments, and even getting into physical altercations with other fans, players, and staff. In some cases, drunk fans have been known to drive home from the ballpark, posing a danger to themselves and others on the road. One study found that 8% of fans leaving baseball games were legally drunk, which translates to thousands of people when multiplied by the number of attendees at games nationwide.

To address these issues, stadiums have implemented various measures such as designated driver programs, training staff to be proactive, and providing a number for fans to text if they observe any problems. However, alcohol companies are major sponsors of baseball, and turning off the tap could hurt key sponsors. As a result, there seems to be a delicate balance that stadiums are trying to strike between promoting alcohol consumption and ensuring fan safety.

In addition, the culture surrounding baseball games, particularly the tradition of tailgating, often involves heavy drinking. For example, the Milwaukee Brewers reflect this culture, as their name itself alludes to brewing, and tailgating is considered part of the game experience.

While most fans enjoy their drinks responsibly, the overconsumption of alcohol by a minority has led to negative consequences and continues to be a challenge for baseball stadiums across the country.

Beer sales ending in the seventh inning

Beer sales traditionally end at the seventh inning in baseball games. However, in 2023, the Milwaukee Brewers decided to trial selling alcohol until the end of the eighth inning. This was due to shorter game times, which meant that the amount of time beer was being sold for was roughly the same as the previous year. A Brewers spokesperson said that they had not encountered any serious issues with fan behaviour, but that the number of sales in the eighth inning was not significant. Therefore, the Brewers reverted to ending alcohol sales after the seventh inning, to "err on the side of caution and practicality".

While there is no rule that requires baseball teams to stop selling alcohol at a certain point, the seventh inning is usually chosen as the cut-off point to allow fans to sober up before the end of the game and to give them time before potentially driving. It also means that fans will leave the park sooner, which is beneficial to the concessionaires and ballpark workers, who can start their closing procedures earlier.

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