Baseball Fans Predicted to Eat More Than 18.5 Million Hot Dogs in 2015

Nothing goes better alongside a baseball game than a hot dog. It's the quintessential summer ballpark food! In fact, the National Hot Dog and Sausage Council (NHDSC) estimates that Major League Baseball fans will consume more than 18.5 million hot dogs and nearly 4.2 million sausages during the 2015 Major League season.

I will do my part this Friday at U.S. Cellular Field.

According to a press release, the combined hot dog and sausage total could stretch from Citizens Bank Park in Philadelphia to Chase Field in Phoenix. The hot dog total alone would reach as high as 7,827 Empire State Buildings.

The NHDSC reports fans of the Los Angeles Dodgers are again projected to consume the most hot dogs, totaling more than 2.5 million. The New York Yankees are in the second spot, at more than 1.5 million hot dogs. The Cubs end up in fifth place at 855,000 hot dogs consumed.

The NHDSC also has a round-up of new hot dog and sausage concoctions for the current season:

• Chips and Dip Dog: This natural casing dog topped with French onion dip, potato chips and chopped green onions is sure to please any Detroit Tigers fan.
• Mac and Cheetos Dog: Cubs fans can enjoy this innovative creation with mac and cheese and Cheetos atop a Vienna hot dog.
• The Thomenator: The Indians are paying homage to Jim Thome with a 10-inch, all-beef hot dog topped with diced onions, Sauerkraut and three Pierogies
• South Philly Dog:  The Phillies are bringing together classic Philadelphia flavors with a hot dog topped with roasted red peppers, sharp provolone and broccoli rabe
• Cuban Pretzel Dog:  Pittsburgh Pirate fans should come hungry to eat this foot-long, all-beef hot dog that features slices of ham, pulled pork, Swiss cheese, Dijon mustard and pickles, all wrapped in pretzel hoagie roll.

Put me down for a Mac and Cheetos Dog, will ya?