For many fans, baseball games and peanuts seem to go hand in hand. For those with peanut allergies, this can mean that stepping foot in a ballpark means taking their lift into their own hands. Lisa Horne, mother of a 3-year-old with a severe peanut allergy, explains the risk: “He could die,” she says. Horne carries around an Epi-Pen just in case, but has deemed many places such as ballparks to be too dangerous for her son.
Last week, the Arizona Diamondbacks sponsored a peanut-free day to allow those with peanut allergies to enjoy America's favorite pastime without worrying about peanuts in the stands. As the local ABC station reported, all guests at Monday's ballgame were asked to sign a waiver in recognition of the day's peanut-free policy (http://www.abc15.com/dpp/news/region_phoenix_metro/central_phoenix/d%27b...).
Horne and her son were at the game; Horne says “Thanks to the D'backs for sponsoring a day like this to give a little boy a chance to see a baseball game.” Speaking for the Diamondbacks, Brian McCaman said “We think it's important to have an opportunity like this for our fans to be able to come out and enjoy a game in a safe, family-friendly environment.”
As public awareness of peanut allergies grows, the possibility exists that more sports teams will take notice and set up peanut-free game nights of their own.
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