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National Hot Dog & Sausage Council Announces Video Contest to Create New Version of 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game' That Includes Hot Dogs

Posted on: Wednesday, 6 May 2009, 10:22 CDT

Third Most Sung Song In America Includes Historic Ballpark Food Oversight

WASHINGTON, May 6 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- The National Hot Dog & Sausage Council (NHDSC) today announced a new song contest to create an updated version of the century-old song "Take Me Out to the Ball Game" that includes a reference to hot dogs.

"Take Me Out to the Ball Game," which celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2008, includes a glaring omission. While hot dogs are the number one food served in major league ball parks, the song only references peanuts and Cracker Jack(TM).

Historians claim that the song's original author, Jack Norworth, had never witnessed a baseball game until years after writing the song. Had he actually taken in a game at the Polo Grounds in the early 1900s, he would have witnessed fans beginning their love affair with sausages in buns.

"Each singing of the song sans hot dogs at the seventh inning stretch in ball parks nationwide is like salt in the venerable wiener's wound," said Council President and 'Queen of Wien' Janet M. Riley. "That's why in 2009, we are taking matters into our own hands with a new contest to rewrite the lyrics." The Council has also petitioned the U.S. Copyright Office to permit the change to the song.

In support of this important effort, Americans are asked to don their creative hats, fire up their cameras and send in a new version of this age-old song. Entries may be submitted on line at www.hot-dog.org or by mail. Props and costumes are encouraged. Complete contest details may be found at www.hot-dog.org.

Entries must be received by June 6, 2009. A panel of judges will review entries for their originality and excellence. Winners will be announced at the start of National Hot Dog Month July 1. Winners will be featured in an online video on www.youtube.com/hotdogcouncil.

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

• Honorable Mention -- Five (5) pounds of gourmet hot dogs and a $50 gift certificate to MLB.com to be used for merchandise or game tickets to select teams.
• Third place -- Ten (10) pounds of gourmet hot dogs and a $100 gift certificate to MLB.com to be used for merchandise or game tickets to select teams.
• Second Place -- Fifteen (15) pounds of gourmet hot dogs and a $250 gift card to MLB.com to be used for merchandise or game tickets to select teams.
• Grand Prize -- Twenty-five (25) pounds of gourmet hot dogs and a $500 gift card to MLB.com to be used for merchandise or game tickets to select teams. Winner also will receive a souvenir baseball autographed by Hall of Famer Phil Niekro.

"This year, Americans will consume 22 million hot dogs in Major League baseball parks," Riley said. "We thank America, in advance, for helping us correct this cultural oversight and for helping us give hot dogs their rightful place in 'Take Me Out to the Ball Game.'"

After all, as Humphrey Bogart said, "A hot dog at the ball park is better than steak at the Ritz."

For additional facts, trivia, photos and recipes, visit www.hot-dog.org.

SOURCE National Hot Dog and Sausage Council

Source: PR Newswire

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