Popcorn, baseball, and… a 98-ounce bat? The latest stadium snack is causing quite a stir. Baseball is known for its quirky ballpark traditions, but with their most recent concession offer—a 98-ounce popcorn bat—the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates have elevated things.
Beginning in 1883, the San Francisco Giants have a rich legacy, including seven World Series triumphs and a committed following. When it comes to the Pirates, Steel City supporters are undyingly loyal, and they have a deep history. Five times they have been World Series champions. But right now, the snack takes the front stage instead of the game.
Over-the-top stadium snacks are not unusual for baseball fans, but with their new popcorn bats, the San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates have elevated the game. Introduced by Aramark, the oversized concession item enhances the fan experience with a distinctive, baseball-shaped container loaded with popcorn. It comes with free refills for $22.59 (approx). Although it captures notice, fans have responded differently depending on its weight and pricing. A recent post on X (formerly Twitter) by MLB has created a lot of buzz among the fans, “The Giants and Pirates will have 98-oz popcorn bats at home games this year .“
The Giants and Pirates will have 98-oz popcorn bats at home games this year
(via @AramarkSports) pic.twitter.com/f3IUww36WK
— MLB (@MLB) March 19, 2025
Since the news came, the fans have raised many objections. Besides the price tag, who’s lugging around a 98-ounce bat? For many fans, carrying such a big and somewhat cumbersome thing around a game and bringing it home could be more of a bother than a wanted memento. Moreover, the bat form raises some possible issues about the likelihood of being abused by disorderly spectators in the stands, even if they are usually presented jokingly.
Fan reactions: San Francisco Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates fans sound off
San Franciso Giants and Pirates fans wasted little time getting their voices heard after the official MLB account was released regarding the 98-ounce popcorn bat. Reactions varied from confusion to total horror as the message went quickly viral.
The popcorn bat’s mere size had people expecting it to be expensive. A remark reflected growing annoyance: “How much will this monstrosity cost?” The escalating expenses of watching live sporting events raised an obvious doubt about whether it would cost more than a ticket to the San Francisco Giants and Padres games. Shock and curiosity mixed portray the fascination—and maybe slight terror—that usually accompanies revealing such large stadium treats.
The originality did not wow everyone. A straightforward rejection, “No thank you. ” It clearly indicates that the popcorn bat was a ploy to maximize earnings from already allocated funds. When it comes to ballpark food, simplicity, and value still count too many people.
The nod to Paul Skenes is a lighthearted poke at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ most recent acquisition activities. “Damn, if the Pirates threw one of these in, they may have gotten that Paul Skenes card back.” Fans sarcastically suggested that the popcorn bat’s supposed value could have influenced a trade for the highly regarded pitching prospect Paul Skenes. Emphasizing the ridiculousness of its price and size, it’s funny to state that the bat is so costly or precious that it could have been a negotiating chip in a big trade deal.
The lighthearted approach of MLB’s post is unusual, and a follower made a surprising yet notable mention: “Why is the official MLB account tweeting like DailyLoud?” The question addresses the tone of the official MLB social media account in promoting. The popcorn bat, suggesting it was overly sensational or aggressive, akin to informal internet news sources.
Like the first reaction, many supporters just wanted to know, “how much are those?” The constant questioning about the pricing emphasizes the main issue of dispute around the popcorn bat. For a good number of fans, the price is the most important aspect of this new release, beyond its originality or volume.
The 98-ounce popcorn bat is sure to turn heads, but many are still divided about its size, cost, and usefulness. Will it be a successful new tradition that fans love, or will it just be another expensive gimmick?
Is a bat going to be the San Francisco Giants’ and the Pittsburgh Pirates’ token of appreciation for their fans, or will they actually win?
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