FORT WAYNE – The Big Apple is going to need a large trophy case.

Ballpark Digest has named the TinCaps’ Big Apple Minor League Baseball’s “Best New Food Item” for 2014. This recognition comes after the Big Apple was voted the best dessert in Minor League Baseball’s “Food Fight” competition in July.

“The TinCaps do a great job in promoting their brand around apples and Johnny Appleseed,” said Kevin Reichard, Ballpark Digest publisher. “The Big Apple works both as a fun item and something you’d expect from a team constantly working to impress fans.”

Introduced in June, the Big Apple weighs in at five pounds and is a family-sized, batting helmet-ful of deliciousness. The foundation of the Big Apple’s decadence is four heaping helpings of Parkview Field’s signature Apple Crisp. Four hand-made apple dumplings are lovingly placed on top of that apple-y goodness.

If that’s not enough, the remaining real estate in the TinCaps souvenir batting helmet are filled with five rich scoops of creamy, vanilla ice cream. The Big Apple is then topped with whipped cream, drizzled with hot caramel, and garnished with — what else — delicious red apple slices. Sprinkles are added for good measure. It’s a dessert that would most certainly make apple aficionado Johnny Appleseed proud.

“The Big Apple was a no-brainer idea for us,” said TinCaps and Parkview Field Culinary Director, Scott Kammerer. “Our theme is big fun, so we challenged ourselves to come up with something big that would get our fans talking, make them hungry, and also fit in our ballpark theme. We just kept adding ingredients and the Big Apple was the result. To win a national award is really just a cherry on top.”

The Big Apple will be on Parkview Field’s menu again in 2015. Opening Day for the TinCaps is set for Sunday, April 12 at 4:05 p.m. against the Lansing Lugnuts.