Theories abound, but there’s a fun one: Mickey Mouse had hunger pangs and wandered from Disneyland to nearby Angel Stadium, where he discreetly raided a gloomy concession stand in the nose-bleeding section adjacent to the right-field foul pole.
That concession stand – at the top of view level section 42 – was the only one of about 160 at Angel Stadium that was flagged for “rodent infestation” by Orange County health inspectors on April 22.
The batting average isn’t bad, but with apologies to Mickey, no exceptions are allowed when it comes to rat infestation and food.
The Angels have been on the road trip all week but a team spokesman said Tuesday that the stands have been cleaned and will be inspected again before a homestand that begins Friday against the New York Mets.
“After receiving guidance from the Department of Health, we worked immediately with our concession partner to resolve the issues on the single stand and are hopeful it will pass inspection and reopen in time for the upcoming homestand,” the Angels said in a statement.
Orange County Register The county publishes a weekly list of restaurants and other food vendors allowed to close and reopen by health inspectors. Eleven establishments were closed from April 16–23, nine due to rodent or cockroach infestation, one due to inadequate hot water and one for unapproved remodeling. Angel Stadium concessions were on the list.
A team spokesperson said rodent activity was not found in any food preparation areas, except under storage racks and next to the water heater.
The county Health Services inspection report states that for the stand to reopen, rodent activity must be eliminated and equipment surfaces, food containers, shelves and floors must be cleaned and sanitized. Additionally, cracks larger than a quarter inch must be sealed “to prevent the harboring of insects.”
The offending stand most recently passed inspection in June. Rodent issues at Angel Stadium began after a 2007 Times report that the stadium had been cited 118 times for rodent violations in the previous two years. Major citations were issued in 33 instances where rodents or other pests were found where food was stored, prepared or served.
Engels attributed the presence of pests to the stadium’s open-air design and proximity to the Santa Ana River. He said that in 2005, due to heavy rains, rats entered the stadium and a large number of testimonials were found.
The Angels went to bat against the rats, announcing that the cleaning crews would get to work an hour after each game instead of waiting until the next morning.
Angels spokesman Tim Mead said at the time, “Trash had accumulated in the seating bowl area after games and that problem will be eliminated by tonight.”
As of 2009, the team had Eliminated the problem.
Until last week, that is.
“The Angels take great pride in providing a high-quality fan experience at the stadium, including maintaining the cleanliness of our approximately 160 concession spaces,” the team said in a statement Tuesday.
