11/17/24
April 15, 2003
It's nutbar central in Chicago.:
The last time the Royals were in Chicago, Tom Gamboa was attacked by two white-trash "fans". On the first visit back to Chicago by the Royals this year, Gamboa stood in the dugout and watched as a "fan" ran onto the field and attacked the first base umpire. This was one of 4 incidents of fans running onto the field that night.
That guy got what was coming, it sounds like. But this is crazy, man. In the EPL, they usu. fine the hosting team for bad security, or ban the responsible team's fans from going to a game if crap like this happens. And it still happens. Now, I'm just waiting for a player or manager or official to get seriously hurt. How's the metal detectors over there?
posted by worldcup2002 at 11:43 PM on April 15, 2003
Usually, possibly wc2002. But not if you're a "big" team. I couldn't agree more with what grum@work says, encroach on the pitch and forfeit your right not to get a good kicking.
posted by squealy at 02:44 AM on April 16, 2003
It's time to arm the umps. I don't think too many fans would run onto the field if there exist the possibility of looking down the barrel of a 44 magnum, the most powerful handgun known to man...
posted by justgary at 03:21 AM on April 16, 2003
What if it was a punk who felt lucky? And thought the ump had already fired seven shots while arguing with the home dugout?
posted by yerfatma at 06:35 AM on April 16, 2003
And what if that punk were wrong?
posted by justgary at 07:44 AM on April 16, 2003
Don't mess with Chicago, punks!
posted by StarFucker at 08:37 AM on April 16, 2003
Umps should have handguns cross-shoulder-holstered, with another smaller one strapped to the back. And a throwing knife strapped to an ankle.
posted by worldcup2002 at 09:53 AM on April 16, 2003
or tasers! or baseball should be played in a big steel cage.
posted by corpse at 09:59 AM on April 16, 2003
In all seriousness, security for sporting events continues to be a nagging issue. What should security look like in the future? Fences? Moats? I don't think allowing the athletes to give fans a beating would work. In the future, you would have a mob of fans challenging teams. As well, if you're drunk, you might not mind a public beating. Outside of alcohol restriction, gun-toting umps, and fan-beatings, what are the other alternatives? Would fences, raised playing fields, or a moat-system keep you away?
posted by jacknose at 10:03 AM on April 16, 2003
Its the beer, man. What if they had a drinking section and a non-drinking section? If you want to have a beer with the game, you can't sit in an area where you have access to the field. Sure, people could sneak a few beers into the "field access" area, but that would take a clever, sober person. Would this help?
posted by Joey Michaels at 01:50 PM on April 16, 2003
It's definitely the beer. Guzzlers drink too much and lose all ability to judge right and wrong. Add pre-existing stupidity, trashiness and hooligan instincts, and it equals assholes jumping onto the field and other people. Set tasers to armed.
posted by dusted at 02:32 PM on April 16, 2003
Rubber bullets and water cannons my friend. And tasers. In big Euro soccer games, they actually have police ringing the field with dogs. So, attack hounds would be good, too. Oh yes.
posted by worldcup2002 at 04:27 PM on April 16, 2003
Is it too much to expect people to be civilized? How about no show of force on the field...just a sniper in the press-box.
posted by mick at 05:50 PM on April 16, 2003
What the fuck is in the water in Chi-town? When I watched the replay of the incident, I do have to admit that I smiled when I saw a player/coach jump on the crazy guy and just rain punches down on his head. Then again, I subscribe to the belief that if you intrude on the field of play, you get what you deserve.