TEXT OF STORY

Scott Jagow: The Major League Baseball season begins for real today. Well, Boston and Oakland played two regular season games last week in Japan. And last night, the Washington Nationals played their first game in their new ballpark.
But today is being called Opening Day. And this year, baseball says it will be more environmentally friendly. Sarah Gardner reports from the Marketplace Sustainability Desk.

Sarah Gardner: The big leagues are big consumers — think of all that electricity to light night games, the water to keep the fields green, all the paper and plastic at the snack bar. But the MLB says this year, it’s a whole new ball game eco-wise.

The NRDC’s Allen Hershkowitz is helping the league go green:

Allen Hershkowitz: Some fans at some stadiums will see a greater availability of recycling containers. They will see more recycling logos on game day programs and media guides. They will see more recycled tissue.

In Washington, D.C., the Nationals’ new park has low-flush toilets, a green roof and bike racks — it’s been LEED certified by the U.S. Green Building Council.

But Hershkowitz concedes the MLB hasn’t hit a green grand slam just yet. Eco-reform happens slowly and some changes could risk striking out with fans. Organic peanuts and crackerjacks, anyone?

I’m Sarah Gardner for Marketplace.