Let’s say you were forced to create a “Top 3 List of Best Baseball Tailgating Cities.” What locations would you pick?

Well, so much is all in the interpretation. And personal biases happen to get in the way. I know some pretty rabid fans who are passionate about their cities and their teams.

It’s like asking someone to choose the best cut of steak. Everybody has their own ideas of what makes steaks great. And, really, no one is wrong.

So this is a tough task. A lot of thought and preparation went into this (okay, I MAY have gleefully tailgated in these locations before – among others – so I’ve got first-hand experience to draw from). But here are MY picks for the best baseball tailgating cities. You tell me yours!

1. HAS to be Kansas City. I mean, the Royals. Kauffman Stadium. World Series. Kansas City BBQ. Enough said, really. Great baseball, great location, great food. What other ingredients do we need for an amazing tailgating experience? Can’t think of one.
2. Gorgeous scenery. Laid-back, friendly atmosphere. Mountains. Beer! You have to include the Mile High City on your checklist. The stadium is right in the middle of beautiful downtown. And it’s all so walkable. Yeah, Denver is a fabulous place to tailgate.
3. Arlington, Texas. The Rangers seem to give everybody a run for their money lately so the baseball is exciting. And Texans know their beef so you know the grilling is going to be top-notch and the weather is great – even at the beginning of baseball season when the rest of the country is thawing out. Plus, this is a must-see ballpark.

Okay, so those are my top three. I KNOW I will have some naysayers. So, tell me, what are YOUR top three best baseball tailgating cities and why?

Remember, there are NO wrong answers.

It’s tailgating time! That all-important warm weather tailgating season is upon us. Thank goodness! No more parkas in the parking lot. The boys of summer are back!

So, are you watching some Major League baseball on TV? Have you been to a game yet? Do you plan to? It’s time to play ball!

Well, whether you’re going to a game or enjoying it in the comfort of your own domain, we all can enjoy those baseball games a lot more if we’re well fed. And to me, that’s the most enjoyable part. Yeah, I like the sport part. The game is a blast. But isn’t tailgating a sport all unto itself?

I think so. And as a sport, it’s got some rules – just like baseball!

Now, to be a winner at tailgating we’ve got to be prepared. So let’s go over a tailgating checklist so we do this thing right.

1. Have the right tools. Literally, that can mean spatulas and steak knives. But it also can mean having the right steak recipes in hand. Nothing too elaborate. But definitely high on flavor.

2. Bring your A game. If necessary, get some individual coaching. Like some grilling steak tips from a pro. Watch videos. Read articles. Ask a chef.

3. Choose the right steaks. Quality is important. A high quality steak is the first ingredient in a great tailgating party.

4. Make sure everyone is covered. Have enough food for everyone – but also the right food for everyone. Know your audience.

5. Have fun! That’s what it’s really all about!

With this checklist in mind, you can plan out a fantastic tailgating party. Baseball season is in full swing so let’s have some fun!

This tailgating thing is serious business so let’s give it the preparation it deserves! Your stomach will thank you!

I like tailgating. You like tailgating. Everybody likes tailgating!

So, besides the steaks, what are the funnest parts of tailgating? (For our purposes here, “funnest” is, indeed, a word.)

Picture this: You’re in the parking lot of your home stadium. Your best buddy is manning the steak on the grill (he’s got all types of steak from strips to filets to ribeyes), the tent man got there early to pick a primo spot and set up the shade, a group is playing cornhole, another is flipping cups, the DJ has the perfect game-time music blasting and your truck is providing the perfect seating for all the festivities.

This is shaping up to be the best tailgate ever. It’s a tradition that has some murky beginnings – no one really knows for sure where and when it started. But tailgating has swept the country over the years and we’re all getting in on the fun.

So where is it the funnest? (See? I did it again.) Well, inthenation.com says the top 5 best cities for NFL tailgating today are:

1. Baltimore
2. Denver
3. Houston
4. San Diego
5. Cincinnati

And, as you can see from this list, it doesn’t even matter how good the teams are. Sorry, Chargers. It’s all about the food and party. Sweet!

So, no matter the outcome of the game, your goal is to win the pre-party. And win it, you will!

That same site says that there are an estimated 50 million tailgaters in the U.S. Now that’s a lot of burgers! And up to $12 billion is spent on the revelry every year. I mean, what a huge industry.

Plus, up to 35% of those tailgaters are so dedicated to the art of the tailgate that they don’t even set foot inside the stadium. So it makes perfect sense that that party in the parking lot better be a good one!

What are your favorite tailgating traditions?