It used to be that a day spent watching the great American pastime could do some serious damage to our great American waistlines. Not so much now, with hungry fans making the healthy vegetarian and vegan options that stadiums are offering disappear like a Ryan Braun homer. Here are our 2012 picks for major league stadiums that knock it out of the park when it comes to delicious veggie fare:

Ballpark: ©iStockphoto.com/AdamKazmierski • Pig: ©iStockphoto.com/Anatolii Tsekhmister

1. Philadelphia Phillies' Citizens Bank Park: PETA pal Chase Utley has returned from the disabled list, and Citizens Bank Park has returned to the top of our list, thanks to its array of meatless options, which include a vegan chicken-steak sandwich, veggie "pit beef" smothered in barbecue sauce, an Italian vegetable grinder, and ever-popular veggie dogs and black-bean burgers.
2. Seattle Mariners' Safeco Field: Ichiro is a legend in Seattle, in Japan, and around the world—and many of Safeco Field's vegetarian offerings, including the IchiBan veggie dog, the Seattle chili veggie dog, and the Bombay veggie dog, have international appeal as well. With so many great new vegetarian options, it's no wonder that Safeco Field has moved up in our standings.
3. Detroit Tigers' Comerica Park: There's a trio worth cheering for at Comerica Park—and we're not talking about Justin Verlander, Prince Fielder, and Miguel Cabrera. We mean the stadium's vegetarian Italian sausages, veggie riblets, and vegan hot dogs. With these and other great-tasting vegetarian choices available, Tigers fans can show that they care about cows, pigs, and chickens, too.
4. Oakland Athletics' O.co Coliseum: O.co Coliseum is pitcher-friendly and vegetarian-friendly. The veggie dogs, veggie burgers, bean burritos, ancho chili and mushroom fajitas, and other vegetarian items are as welcome to compassionate fans as Josh Reddick's great season has been.
5. Los Angeles Dodgers' Dodger Stadium: With new ownership and delicious meat-free creations, such as the vegan sloppy Joe, veggie sushi, and edamame, things are looking up for true-blue Dodger fans!
6. New York Mets' Citi Field: Johan Santana, David Wright, and R. A. Dickey aren't the only big draws at Citi Field. Mets' faithful are also flocking to the stadium for the veggie patty sandwich, veggie dogs, veggie burgers, grilled vegetable heroes, and other meatless meals.
7. Los Angeles Angels' Angel Stadium of Anaheim: The Halos' roster is loaded with stars—from Pujols to Trout to Trumbo—and the concession stands at Angel Stadium of Anaheim are loaded with winning vegetarian eats, including veggie dogs, black-bean burgers, bean burritos, veggie wraps, and California cucumber rolls.
8. Washington Nationals' Nationals Park: Bryce Harper, Stephen Strasburg, and Gio Gonzalez have helped make the Nats a winning ballclub, and the vegetarian selections at Nationals Park—including chili made with mock meat, veggie burgers, tofu sandwiches with Vegenaise, and falafel—have won the stadium a spot in PETA's standings. Maybe someday Teddy will even win the Presidents Race.
9. Pittsburgh Pirates' PNC Park: The Pirates are moving up in the standings in more ways than one—this season, PNC Park scored a spot on PETA's top 10 list of vegetarian-friendly stadiums after earning an honorable mention three years in a row. With veggie burgers, pasta primavera, vegetarian lo mein, salad with fried green tomatoes, and other vegetarian fare, the choices for compassionate fans are even stronger than the Bucs' bullpen and more satisfying than a game-saving grab by Andrew McCutchen.
10. Minnesota Twins' Target Field: Baseball is as American as Target Field's "accidentally vegan" apple pie. The stadium's other vegetarian picks, which include a veggie "walk-a-taco," veggie dogs, vegan mousse martinis, and vegetarian stir-fry, and a big hit with Twins' fans, too-no matter where the team is in the standings.

Congrats to the Chicago White Sox's U.S. Cellular Field, the Boston Red Sox's Fenway Park, the Colorado Rockies' Coors Field, the Atlanta Braves' Turner Field, the Arizona Diamondbacks' Chase Field, and the San Francisco Giants' AT&T Park for earning honorable mentions. Many thanks to the sporty folks at Veggie Happy for helping to get more vegetarian and vegan options on stadium menus nationwide.

Courtesy of Lelah Foster

Having a celebrity as the face of an animal rights campaign has helped PETA achieve huge victories. For instance, vocal protests by Sir Paul McCartney and Alicia Silverstone helped convince NASA not to blast squirrel monkeys with harmful doses of radiation. Celebrities such as Olivia Munn and Sarah Silverman have helped publicize Ringling Bros.' cruelty to animals, which recently resulted in the largest U.S. Department of Agriculture fine in circus history. And with the help of Lea Michele, the suffering of horses in New York City's carriage trade is garnering attention.

Michelle Cho, the senior manager of communications, dishes about what it's like behind the scenes of some of PETA's most visible work:

What is one of the most exciting things happening right now with PETA's work with celebrities?
So many professional athletes are enthusiastic about getting involved. Tony Gonzalez, Chad Ochocinco, Chase Utley, Gilbert Arenas, Amar'e Stoudemire, Willis McGahee, Lance Briggs,  Chris Andersen, and many others are allowing us to reach legions of sports fans about animal issues. 

What is one of your favorite celebrity stories?
When I first met Steve-O six years ago, I was interviewing him about elephant abuse that he had witnessed as a student at Ringling's clown college. I recall him saying that he didn't think vegetarianism was possible for him. Then began the phone calls inquiring about feathers, leather, wool, and even animal products in chewing gum! And just two years later, he had an "aha moment" in which he decided that he didn't want to contribute to the unnecessary suffering of animals and went vegan. He is one of the most inspirational people I've ever known, and I'm so proud to call him a dear friend.

Is Hollywood more animal-friendly than it used to be?
Definitely. Thanks to the Internet, we disseminate a lot more information, and it's reaching powerful people. Major ad agencies are pledging never to use great apes, filmmakers are using computer-generated imagery rather than using live animals, and TV shows and movies are including animal rights–related storylines. The support of so many influential people in show business can only pay bigger dividends for animals in the future.

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Join the A-list party! Become a PETA member today.

A poll in Sports Illustrated named Chase Utley one of the "meanest" players in baseball, but we don't buy it. That's because Chase doesn't buy animals—he always adopts, and he asks his fans to do the same.

The MLB all-star might be a fierce competitor, but off the field, he's a fierce defender of animals—in addition to posing for a PETA ad, he has also volunteered with the Pennsylvania SPCA, and even started his own charity, Utley All-Star Animals.

We have a feeling that Chase's tough-guy rep would quickly turn to mush if his fellow ballplayers were to stop by his next Utley All-Star Animals fundraiser. Regardless, we're betting it's his rescued buddy, Jack's opinion that matters most.

Written by Michelle Sherrow

This coming Sunday, July 31, has been dubbed "Mutts Day," and I can say from personal experience that nothing beats an adorable one-of-a-kind mutt. When you adopt a homeless mutt from a shelter, you not only gain a best buddy, you also save a life. But don't just take it from me—take it from these famous shelter-dog fans:

Of course, mutts aren't the only ones who are abandoned at shelters—it's estimated that a quarter of shelter dogs are purebreds who were dropped off after being purchased from a pet shop, puppy mill, or breeder. No matter what kind of dog you're looking for, you can find one at a shelter.

Maybe you can't buy love, but you can certainly adopt it.  

Written by Michelle Sherrow

Dad's big day is almost here. Dads deserve nothing but the best, of course, and that includes animal dads who don't want to be tested on, eaten, or turned into shoes and belts. So we've rounded up the preeminent picks to please Pops and let animals celebrate Father's Day too.

For a dad who's more Hilfiger than Home Depot, opt for elegant silk-free ties by Jaan J; leather-free belts, wallets, and shoes from MooShoes; or an always-in-fashion PETA tee. To get his day off to a smooth start, give him a Wally Cruelty-Free Razor and shaving products from Herban Cowboy.

Does Dad like a good book? Jonathan Safran Foer's Eating Animals is about how becoming a dad led the author to reexamine his diet. And Rip Esselstyn's The Engine 2 Diet is the quintessential manly man's healthy-eating guide. You can also give Dad a ceramic PETA mug to sip java from while he's kicked back in his recliner with his Kindle.

If your dad's a weekend warrior, he might be happier with cards or autographed photos of animal-friendly athletes such as Chase Utley, Ron Artest, and Ricky Williams. Get him ready for Little League season with a PETA “Free for All” SIGG water bottle and tasty snacks like Tofurky Jurky, Lucy's Cookies, and popcorn and dark chocolate from Trader Joe's to tote to the game.  

And what Father's Day is complete without a cookout? Grill out with a selection of Gardein faux meats like BBQ Skewers or Chick'n Filets. You can find Gardein products across the country at grocers such as Ralphs, Vons/Safeway, Kroger, and Harris Teeter. Most beers are vegan, so to wash it all down, raise a glass to Dad.

Happy Father's Day from PETA!

 
Written by Michelle Sherrow

After missing the first part of the season with the Phillies because of a knee injury, Chase Utley has recovered and is ready to knock a few out of the park. But he's already hit a grand slam for homeless dogs and cats by encouraging fans to be all-stars for animals by always adopting and never buying.
 

 
Written by Michelle Sherrow

When Chase Utley isn't knocking balls out of the park, he's trying to knock out animal overpopulation. The MLB all-star posed for a new "Adopt, Don't Buy" ad with his rescued dog Jack, who was born in an animal shelter to canine parents confiscated from a dogfighting ring. Chase unveiled the ad today at the Seger Dog Park in Philadelphia to a crowd of two-legged and four-legged fans.
 

 
The homeless-animal crisis is a cause very close to Chase and his wife, Jennifer's hearts. They are both active with the Pennsylvania SPCA, and they started an annual event to raise money and awareness called Utley All-Star Animals. Check out our feature on Chase to watch an exclusive behind-the-scenes video of him talking about his love for animals, and then enter to win an autographed Philadelphia Phillies jersey! And, of course, join Chase in hitting a homerun for the 4 to 6 million animals who face euthanasia every year by always adopting, never buying.

 
Written by Michelle Sherrow

My husband, Tim, thinks that I'm rooting for the Philadelphia Phillies to win the World Series because he's a lifelong Boston Red Sox fan (i.e., Yankee hater). It's fine with me if I get extra points for rooting "against" the Yankees, but I'm really rooting for the Phillies because of second baseman Chase Utley.

internetservices.readingeagle / CC

Chase and his wife, Jen, are huge advocates for animals. They've participated in "Save a Pet at the Park," and they organized the Utley's All-Star Animals fundraisers, which raised more than $200,000 for the Pennsylvania Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.

Even if the Phillies don't win this year's World Series, Chase Utley has already proven he's top dog when it comes to caring about companion animals.

Written by Karin Bennett