Phillies fans harass Rays infant:

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20081028_Rays_fans_complain_of_treatment_at_ballpark.html

"These people harassed a baby," Zobrist, the father of Tampa Bay outfielder Ben Zobrist, said before the start of Game 5 last night."

I have to admit, I'm starting to get a bit depressed over this stuff. Fans yelling at kids, fans throwing bottles at cop cars when the game is called. Why can't people just be cool?

gusmoney wrote:Phillies fans harass Rays infant:

http://www.philly.com/philly/sports/phillies/20081028_Rays_fans_complain_of_treatment_at_ballpark.html

"These people harassed a baby," Zobrist, the father of Tampa Bay outfielder Ben Zobrist, said before the start of Game 5 last night."

Shoulda left the little shit at home.

Houshphandzadeh wrote:I have to admit, I'm starting to get a bit depressed over this stuff. Fans yelling at kids, fans throwing bottles at cop cars when the game is called. Why can't people just be cool?

QFT.

Houshphandzadeh wrote:I have to admit, I'm starting to get a bit depressed over this stuff. Fans yelling at kids, fans throwing bottles at cop cars when the game is called. Why can't people just be cool?

I still call bs on the kids stuff. Never, ever have I seen people harrass little kids. I mean seriously, someone taunted your infant? The rest of the stupid stuff people do, I don't doubt.

A few thoughts on the hospitality shown to visiting teams' fans.

I visited Frankfurt, Germany in August of 2002 with one of my main objectives being to see some European football live and in person. Prior to seeing Eintracht Frankfurt I paid a call to a local store that sold shirts and scarves for the local team and joined my host in supporting his club by purchasing the appropriate garb.

Sitting amongst the majority of the fans wearing the red, white, and black of Eintracht I glimpsed the condition of the visiting supporters. Unbeknownst to me, they had entered the stadium via their own entrance and were now seated in a literal pen of fence and barbered wire.

Imagine my amazement having grown up going to Veteran's stadium and been harassed at my own stadium by the likes of certain out of town visiting fans.

Here in Germany the visitors, while allowed to attend, are given the hospitality they deserve. After all, they are on enemy territory and while they have a right to buy a ticket and come, they also must expect the hostility their presence will elicit.

Contrarily, back at home in the park that has come to replace the Vet, Citizen's Bank Park, I have seen the team acquiesce to the visitor and make him feel at home. In 2006, a visiting fan had a large banner with well-wishes to his favorite player displayed prominently just off of home plate in the Hall of Fame section. When I asked the security guard to remove the sign I was told, "No, I think we are going to keep it up."

So, not only are visiting fans allowed to come to our stadium en mass, they are permitted to fly their colors and congratulate their team. Quite a contrast to those hardcore soccer fans in Europe.

I appreciate the bare bones hospitality shown visiting soccer fans. Give them the opportunity to come, but nothing more.

If you come to our stadium you should be harassed and made to feel unwelcome because you are not welcome. We do not want you here. You have a right to be here and a right to stay home and watch on television. The latter should be the preferred recourse.

The same certainly goes for me. When I travel to see my Phillies on the road and I wear their colors I expect a hostile environment. For that is a sign of passion for one's turf and team.

So, keep your kids at home when you travel with your team and wear your cruddy sneakers, the ones that can take being stepped-on because this is not Gentleman Jim's dog-and-pony show, this is the sport we love and care about!