CINCINNATI — Here's the pitch: Buy a $30 ticket for a Cincinnati Reds game and eat all you want for free.

But here's the catch: The menu is almost as paltry as Adam Dunn's home run production.

So what you want had better be nothing more than lukewarm dogs, peanuts, popcorn, chips and soft drinks. No nachos for you. No brats or metts. No Skyline chili. No beer. Not even bottled water.

Following in the cleat prints of a dozen or so other Major League Baseball teams — most of which include nachos in their programs — the Reds this season inaugurated their version of the all-you-can-eat concept at Great American Ball Park. Inclusive tickets for most games cost $30 and are limited to seats in one mezzanine section located high above the end of the left field foul line. Tickets in the adjacent section cost $22.

For the $8 difference you get a wristband that entitles you to unlimited trips to the Broadway Dogs concession stand located behind Section 410. No prices are posted there and the personable, but barely-trained, servers don't seem quite sure of what things would cost if you had to pay. Best estimate is: two dogs and you break even. Add a small soft drink and you're $4.50 ahead.

"It's been very popular," declares supervisor of guest relations Rob Shumate. "We get a lot of groups: company outings, church groups."

By the fourth inning of a Thursday, April 24, afternoon game that drew 17,403 customers, 63 were wearing white wristbands. Despite concerns by nutritionists that programs like this promote obesity, spectators in Section 410 appeared to have no more trouble squeezing into their seats than fans in other sections. Not that they didn't take advantage of their wristbands.

"I've had four hot dogs, two Mountain Dews and a bag of peanuts (best estimate: $29.50)," reported Brent Bradley, a fit-looking 40-year-old from Springboro.

"Four dogs, four drinks, a popcorn and a bag of chips ($41.75)," said 24-year-old Gregg Kottyan, a medical student from Cincinnati. His wife had one dog, four drinks, a popcorn and chips ($29.75).

"We definitely would do it again," said Gregg, who will have his next chance when the Reds return home to play the Chicago Cubs on May 5.

The concept may not be a grand slam, it might be a solid single. When they left, the only thing Section 410 fans were hungry for was a victory.