The History of Sports Should Set a Precedent for the Future
Dom Delgardo
Issue date: 5/4/05 Section: Perspectives
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It seems to happen every day. A fan hit Allen Iverson with loose change in The Palace of Auburn Hills. Frank Francisco of the Texas Rangers threw a chair into the audience during a game against Oakland last year, causing severe damage to one woman who is now filing a lawsuit against him. As most of you remember, the Pistons and Pacers got into a horrific fight last year that involved a few of the fans!
What happened to the American mentality that was instilled in us when we were children? What happened to the respect that athletes had for the people who not only pay their contracts, but also show up at the stadium to support them? In the large scope of things, it wasn't long ago that fans wore suits and dresses to the ball game and players enjoyed signing autographs and didn't mind the occasional boo.
While we shouldn't go back to wearing our Sunday best for a trip to Yankee Stadium, it's time that people remember a few important things:
Most importantly, whether it's Game 7 of the World Series, or opening tip-off for the NBA season, IT'S JUST A GAME. Believe me; I come from a very sports-oriented family. Baseball has been my life since I could pick a ball up. I also live in Boston, and I know what it's like to get excited over a game. But that's exactly what it is, a game. Last year when the Red Sox won the World Series, two men wearing Red Sox apparel were shot and killed outside of Yankee Stadium by Yankee fans. I understand that people are upset, but how can you kill somebody over a 5 oz. baseball, a stick, 18 men and some grass.
Secondly, the fans have to come to the realization that their $45 dollar ticket does not grant them immunity to laws like assault and battery and harassment. The baseball stadium used to be a place where gentlemen came to watch the gentleman's sport. It wasn't a place where people harassed one another and cursed in front of children. It wasn't a place where cops had to be on guard in case two drunken guys start swinging at each other. And it certainly wasn't a place where fans walked, ran, or threw anything on to the field.
What happened to the American mentality that was instilled in us when we were children? What happened to the respect that athletes had for the people who not only pay their contracts, but also show up at the stadium to support them? In the large scope of things, it wasn't long ago that fans wore suits and dresses to the ball game and players enjoyed signing autographs and didn't mind the occasional boo.
While we shouldn't go back to wearing our Sunday best for a trip to Yankee Stadium, it's time that people remember a few important things:
Most importantly, whether it's Game 7 of the World Series, or opening tip-off for the NBA season, IT'S JUST A GAME. Believe me; I come from a very sports-oriented family. Baseball has been my life since I could pick a ball up. I also live in Boston, and I know what it's like to get excited over a game. But that's exactly what it is, a game. Last year when the Red Sox won the World Series, two men wearing Red Sox apparel were shot and killed outside of Yankee Stadium by Yankee fans. I understand that people are upset, but how can you kill somebody over a 5 oz. baseball, a stick, 18 men and some grass.
Secondly, the fans have to come to the realization that their $45 dollar ticket does not grant them immunity to laws like assault and battery and harassment. The baseball stadium used to be a place where gentlemen came to watch the gentleman's sport. It wasn't a place where people harassed one another and cursed in front of children. It wasn't a place where cops had to be on guard in case two drunken guys start swinging at each other. And it certainly wasn't a place where fans walked, ran, or threw anything on to the field.