MLB Players' Actions on the Field Have No Effect on Fan Violence

Cole Hamels admitted that he intentionally tried to hit Bryce Harper. Some individuals claim that violence on the field breeds violence in the stands. They couldn’t be more incorrect, at least with respect to baseball.

An example from WLS Chicago, written a little less than one year ago, serves as a template.

Fraternal Order of Police spokesman Pat Camden said to WLS Radio's Don Wade and Roma,  "Unfortunately, we have a situation downtown that has resulted in Major League Baseball warning their teams about downtown Chicago.”

Chicago mayor Rahm Emmanuel assigned an additional 150 officers of the law to patrol the streets of Chicago.

As recently as March 19, 2012, the Huffington Post reported that at least 10 people were killed and another 40 were wounded on a terribly violent weekend in Chicago.

Chicago is far from alone. America is a violent society, but those who claim baseball players cause or even contribute to fan violence are wrong.

We are discussing baseball, not hockey goons or National Football League team bounties.

Of course, there is much more violence by baseball fans today than during the 1950s or 1960s, but there was as much if not more violence by baseball players during those eras.

Recently, I recounted an incident between Billy Martin and Clint Courtney.

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"In 1952, Courtney was with the St. Louis Browns, who were playing the New York Yanlees. The catcher spiked Martin in the second inning of a game at Sportsman's Park. Martin got revenge.

In the eighth inning, Courtney was on first with two outs. He attempted to steal second and was clearly out,  but to be certain, Martin tagged him extremely hard right in his face. Courtney followed Martin after the play was over, but Martin turned around and smashed Courtney in the face."

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The violence was limited to the field. The same is true when San Francisco Giants pitcher Juan Marichal hit Los Angeles Dodgers catcher John Roseboro in the head with his bat.

Sadly, fan violence has increased greatly. It is not because of the attitudes and actions of baseball players. Without discussing the reasons, the fact is Americans are more violent today than ever.

In general, baseball players, when they are on the field, are no more or less violent than in the past. When they are off the field, they are part of American society.