What happened to the "roaving" beer vendors at most baseball stadiums?
 (specifically, Pac Bell Park and Networks Colliseum)  They kept the
hot dog guy... the churro guy... the lemonade guy... and even the guy
that is selling frozen yogurt on 40-degree nights.  But why don't they
have guys marching the aisles selling beer anymore?

Howdy huh16! 
 
I made a quick call to Network Associates Coliseum and one of their
people said that they have never had beer sales in the stands.  She
didn't know of any real reason they don't.

That said, it appears that there is a general movement towards either
limiting the sale of beer in ballparks to the concourses, like they do
at the Network Associates Coliseum, or entirely banning beer sales.

The main reason for limits or banning beer sales appears to an attempt
to get rid of outbreaks like "the Cubs-Dodgers melee, which since has
brought about 19 suspensions, a lawsuit, a decrease in beer vendors and
an earlier "last call" at the ballpark" mentioned at SportsNote.com.
http://www.sportsnote.com/this&that/00_6-3_matt19.htm

As well, baseball is being considered family entertainment these days,
and is not limited to being a "guy's day (or night) out" activity, as
pointed out by the Tripod Member Red Sox Baseball site.
http://redsoxbaseball.tripod.com/benbadler/yanksbanbeer.html

"Yankee Stadium bleachers - now a sobering experience" by Ben Badler

"1999, the sale of beer by vendors in the bleachers ceased. The Yankees
have taken the next step by banning beer sale in the bleacher area
concessions, and with any luck, other teams will follow."

"It is unfortunate that some fans have to purchase a $5.50 beer – some
fans need more than one – at the ballpark just to enjoy the event. A
baseball game is a family event."

There appears to be pressure from "the powers that be" to (at least)
limit beer sales at baseball stadiums according to this Edmonton Sport
Council web site article.
http://www.edmontonsport.com/Sportsmanship4.html

Kevin Hallinan, senior vice president of security and facility management
for Major League Baseball says:

"We are working on alcohol management, and working on what we feel are
the components causing some of these problems. For example, we will cut
off beer sales as early as the third inning if we perceive a problem in
a particular section. Two years ago the New York Yankees decided not to
sell beer in the bleachers. That meant if you wanted to have beer, you'd
have to go underneath the stands and all the way to the grandstand area
because there were no sales in your section. We think that helped make
the bleachers a more pleasant place to be."

Search strategy

beer "in the stands" baseball
://www.google.com/search?q=beer+%22in+the+stands%22+baseball

If you need any clarification feel free to ask!

Looking Forward, denco-ga

this was great.  It was my first time posting a question, so I wanted
to give a "slow pitch softball" lob over the plate to see what came
back.  Loads of fun.  I will be sure to use this feature again when
something more important comes up.

What?  That's un-American!  Isn't that covered in the Patriot Act or
something?  BTW, they still have the beer guys at Safeco Field.

I would imagine it has something to do with the cost/restrictions of a
liquor license.

kriswrite

Howdy huh16!

I made a quick call to Network Associates Coliseum and one
of their people said that they have never had beer sales in
the stands.  She didn't know of any real reason they don't.

At Coors Field in Denver, Colorado they have beer sales in
all of the stands except for the "family" area.

They probably don't have beer sales in the stands in an
attempt to reduce underage drinking as well as the desire to
create a family atmosphere.

Search strategy

Picked up the phone!

Looking Forward, denco-ga

What a great answer.  I know that this was a relatively easy question
(hence the $2 price tag), but I really wanted to try out the service
and see what it would be like when I posted a question.  And this one
has been nagging me for a little while (especially last night as I was
sitting in the rain watching the Giants lose to the Astros -- when a
passing beer man would have been a welcome sight).

Thanks for all your help, everyone!

Howdy huh16!

Much thanks for the 5 star rating and the tip, although I am
equally sad to see the passing of the "beer guy" in some of
our ballparks.

Glad you like the GA service!

Looking Forward, denco-ga