Here in Porkopolis, where a cow will lead the Opening Day parade, Cincinnati Reds fans get something new to eat at the ballpark this year: A veggie dog.

        The meatless offering came in response to requests, said team spokesman Mike Vassallo: “People asked for it, and we did it.”

        Among those asking was William Messer, co-chairman of EarthSave Cincinnati, a group that promotes plant-based diets as the most healthy option for people and the planet.

        “The hot dog is the great symbol of American baseball,” he said, “but people need choices.”

        The addition puts Cinergy Field in the company of a growing number of ball teams adding veggie products, including the Dodgers, Blue Jays, Marlins and White Sox.

        Veggie dogs have about half the calories and one-tenth the fat of a regular meat wiener, according to Soy Happy, a Los Angeles group trying to get vegetarian fare in all mainstream public venues.

        They have more protein and zero cholesterol.

        The National Hot Dog and Sausage Council estimates that about 26.5 million hot dogs are eaten at Major League Baseball games every season.

        Mr. Messer, buoyed by the success with the Reds, says he'll now turn his attention to the Bengals.

        Coincidentally, the Reds also announced Tuesday that the team is making the big chili switch, from Gold Star to Skyline.

        Skyline employees will peddle coneys and cheese nachos in the park.

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