Over the years, baseball parks have become more kid-friendly.
Smoking bans, alcohol-free sections, and codes of conduct shield families and more sensitive fans from the once typical bleacher-creature behavior.
This "fan friendly" attitude has brought in people that traditionalists would never call "fans."
For example, Phoenix has a young baseball team and young baseball fans. Sure, most Phoenix residents are transplanted from Chicago, New York, Wisconsin, or California, but they never bring their baseball knowledge when they pack up and head to the desert.
Fans cheer only when the scoreboard tells them. They get up at the beginning of an inning instead of at the end, and they all wear Red Sox gear to at least one game.
This is why Sports Illustrated ranked D'backs' fans 29th in the league.
At the same time, Boston's fans are notorious for their behavior. Not only are they rowdy and loud, but they are knowledgeable. They limit their beer trips to between innings, not during innings, and one man can get the entire stadium chanting with just a few choice words.
- B/R Ticket Guide
Sox fans were ranked second in the league in the same Sports Illustrated survey.
This begs the question: What is being done to create the ultimate fan experience?
On one hand, teams must coddle the new fan (known as "Pink Hats" in Boston). Teams set up policies to control fan behavior.
There is no swearing, no intoxication, no obscene gestures, and no rowdy behavior. Some teams even ban signs while some teams ban public displays of affection.
SafeCo Field has ushers that prohibit fans from walking down aisles during the game.
The Sox actually announce nine rules of the game that fans must follow including: cleaning up after yourself and not standing and waving at your buddy with whom you're on the phone. No beach balls either!
While many teams are going out of their way to restrict these behaviors, some teams encourage it.
The D'backs have a sign-making station, where you are provided the means to not only get high from the magic marker, but also obstruct the view of a dozen people.
Many teams have "Kiss Cam" segments, where fans (and sometimes players) are encouraged to display affection publicly.
It would also seem that stadium beer policies simply encourage fans to become intoxicated.
So what is right? Where is the line?
Are you a fan who wants to sit and watch the whole game with as few interruptions as possible?
Are you a fan who wants to be rowdy and stand up the whole game, cheering those you love and jeering those you hate?
Or are you a fan who is there to enjoy the atmosphere, and not just the game, getting up to walk around or grab a bite every couple innings?
What is the solution? Do teams designate sections for certain behavior groups?
Should the rowdies control the bleachers or the families?
Do fans have a "right" to enjoy the game unobstructed, or do fans have the "right" to get up and do as they please?
Bleachers, please opine, comment, and analyze!
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4 months ago
I was recently at a Texas-Twins game in Minneapolis and this issue was raised with the people I was with. In brief there was a fan who was slightly intoxicated and had a personal vendetta against Rangers outfielder David Murphy. The fan sitting in the upper deck, loudly shouted Murphy's last name repeatedly which agitated fans around him. Since it was a Saturday afternoon game a number of the younger children were confused and one girl, who was developmentally delayed, started crying.
After being asked to stop by the girl's mom, the usher was contacted and the girl and her family were escorted to different seats. The guy who was yelling at Murphy was escorted out briefly but returned saying he had won the argument with the usher.
Now here was a case where a fan was not swearing or yelling, yet had damaged the 'family atmosphere'. Personally I find myself on the side of the fan who was yelling at Murphy since it he was not swearing or anything, yet it begs to question. I agree with the article in that teams and stadium officials have made the effort to become fan friendly even offering alcohol free seats.
Still isn't that part of the joy of going to a baseball game, as the recent Miller High Life ad guy says "I got to smell me a hot dog" before continuing to explain the positives of screaming at your own pitcher while he is getting shelled......
4 months ago
Just to try to separate my opinion from the article, I think it is interesting the type of place that some expect the ballpark to be.
I kind of see it like a movie theater where people are really into it. You know, how people clap and cheer and laugh and aren't afraid to express enjoyment in what they see. At the same time, they get their soda/beer/food before it starts and sit down unless they have to get up. They paid to see the movie/game, why spend it in the lobby? You wouldn't let your kids run up and down the aisle in a theater, you wouldn't talk on your cellphone loudly, and you wouldn't be drunkenly obnoxious.
Some see it like a party. An excuse to drink and be the center of attention. They want to be the star.
Some see it like a playground. A place to take the family where they will be safe. The kids can run around and do whatever they want while the parents can relax and not supervise them.
I'm not saying any one particular P.O.V. is right, just stating my point of view.
about 1 month ago
I think ushers should be issued electronic cattle prods for use on cell phone users who have a need to wave at cameras and distract people. Of course, your milage may vary.
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