ajcsportstalk

By Allen

April 23, 2008 7:58 PM | Link to this

Maybe the last two words to “Take Me Out To The Ball Game” should be ball WAR. Come on, it’s a GAME!

By Da Mick

April 23, 2008 8:35 PM | Link to this

While am a lifelong Braves fan, and used to go to many home games each year, rowdy fan behavior is one of the major reasons my wife and I stopped going to Braves games. While I didn’t witness the kind of violence described here, more and more frequently our game experience was ruined by similar groups of young men who just don’t care about anyone else around them. Making loud lewd comments about young women walking to and from their seats, with children and other women sitting near by, I could see how things could escalate to a physical level quickly with these packs of gorillas if you reminded them that they were at a ballgame and not a strip club.

You can blame it on beer if you want but I drank a lot of beer at Braves games when I was a younger guy, and I never got in any fights or yelled objectionable things at people who were there to enjoy the game. In those days people seemed to enjoy each other at the game. These days it’s more often a matter of putting up with the people who are seated around you.

And that’s because too many people just don’t care about anyone else anymore, and consequently, don’t know how to behave in a public place. At least in Atlanta anyway. I’ve still had wonderful baseball experiences in Camden Yards and Wrigley Field, and I think it’s because most of the people who attend games there are baseball fans, not just young people going to some public event to drink and hang out.

Don’t know what can be done about it, but I have unfortunately had it with attending games here.

Luckily there’s always TV — but it ain’t the same.

By ND

April 23, 2008 8:43 PM | Link to this

Once they are caught and convicted the Ted better ban them for life.

By Bill

April 23, 2008 8:59 PM | Link to this

Its up to the Braves to clean up the act at turner field or lose tickets sales.Fans of visiting teams should be protected from this type of abuse.

By Martin

April 23, 2008 9:10 PM | Link to this

Im from the Bay Area and I am a big Braves fan so of course I would have to go see them when they play the Giants in SF…I was at the game last year where Tim Hudson threw a gem and Wickman blew it, after Wickman gave up the tying run a drunk SF fan was in my face screaming (explicit) the Braves and started swinging but missed with all of his swings he took at me because he was so drunk..I my mind I was thinking,” please hit me! so I can just shove you, make you look dumb rolling down those steps!” MAN! fans these days are too crazy, its just a game! all we are there for is to watch the game! why is there so much hatred..you really think your fav. team is going to respect or thank you for those kind of actions? they dont give a crap about you! THEY CARE ABOUT THE GAME!

By David P

April 23, 2008 9:40 PM | Link to this

I didn’t realize there were any Pirates fans.

By Roswell Pirates

April 23, 2008 10:28 PM | Link to this

Plenty of Pirates fans!!!

Pirates WS wins: 5, Braves: 2 Pirates in Hall: 41, Braves: 11

We’re just stuck in a bad rut with bad management. But we’ll be back, oh yes, we’ll be back!

By gmlane

April 23, 2008 10:36 PM | Link to this

Hmm.. Close. Braves have 3.

By Shamus Thacker

April 23, 2008 11:02 PM | Link to this

I think the puncher did the right thing.

By JD

April 23, 2008 11:15 PM | Link to this

This is one of the most embarassing moments for Braves fans! No one should have to suffer this kind of abuse simply because they choose to support another team. True Braves fans aren’t threatened by an individual faithfully supporting another organization. Obviously, these were not true sports fans. By the way, when did baseball transition itself in the minds of some from a family sport into an excuse to get sloppy drunk!

By ABVP

April 23, 2008 11:22 PM | Link to this

I guarantee you these guys were Northeastern Massholes. They’re like a plague.

By Cardog10

April 24, 2008 12:32 AM | Link to this

Save this behavior for NEW YORK fans. Our fans our known to suck, so…. We need more roudy fans.

By Cardog10

April 24, 2008 12:50 AM | Link to this

The fans we should write about and criticize should be the ones like the 5 huge women in front of me that drank and ate the entire game, all while talking about shopping and anything they could think of besides baseball. Or the two guys behind me that was teaching the other guy what a bunt was, the difference between a curveball & fastball, etc… Or the 6 young highschoolers, two of which got in the row in front of their friends and turned around (back to the game) and talked for a good 5 innings. ALL IN GOOD SEATS… Go sit up in the upperdeck with this bs, it’s a shame true fans that will let a ump know when he messes up aren’t filling these seats, instead we have a bunch of deuchebags.

By mustbegatorfans

April 24, 2008 3:02 AM | Link to this

Whats sad about this is that the Sunday game against the Mets, I witnessed the same type behavior. I know Met fans are buttholes, and it’s fun to boo and harass them, but there is a fine line to harass and cross the line

I sat in in the leftfield upper pavilion seats, and there were a group of about 8 braves fans who booed everytime a mets fan walked by……That’s ok….but the more they drank, the more profane they got….by the 6th inning, the taunts became nothing more than a profanity-laced tirade….I give the Mets fans who walked by credit, none of them said anything…..

As a diehard Braves fan, I was generally embarrassed. I had my 11 year old daughter at the game and she could not understand why these idiots were acting that way…

What was even more shocking was in the bottom of the 8th, 2 of the “Braves Girls” (girls who walk around the stadium/ stand on the dugout) walked up and sat down with them..(Obviously they were friends) What these bimbos…I mean girls need to realize is that they represent the organization of the Atlanta Braves and as such, you are guilty by association…..

Once again, I am enjoy booing the Mets, Yankees, Phillies just as much as anyone else. But we need to show a little more class about it…

For a minute there that Sunday, I thought I was at the swamp or death valley watching a Gator or Clemson football game……

By DDS

April 24, 2008 7:02 AM | Link to this

I feel bad for the fan from Macon, they probably knocked out the only teeth the guy had left.

By robo

April 24, 2008 7:22 AM | Link to this

Yes, the old stadium was a pain for baseball, but this crap was very rare. Not saying it never happened, it was just rare. I remember buying $2.00 outfield seats, sitting in them for 2 innings, and by the 3rd inning I was sitting behind homeplate watching some real baseball. We drank plenty of beer too, never wanted to fight, just enjoy the night. Then, there was the picnic area on the 1st base side. Wow, what a great way to enjoy the game, bring your own picnic, enjoy the real fans who did the same, and watch a great Saturday afternoon major league baseball game. You felt like you owned the place, and you were among friends, even if some had a Dodgers cap on.

Maybe the Braves will suck a few more years and THAT atmosphere will finally come to The Ted. Then, the real fans might return. The ones that just love the game and want to watch it with friends.

By gwardan

April 24, 2008 8:42 AM | Link to this

This sort of thing happens in every park in the country at some point. People start talking trash and after ten beers some redneck gets p** and starts a fight. It is not a big deal at all.

By ATLNative

April 24, 2008 9:15 AM | Link to this

I think several things are contributing to this type of behavior: Atlanta is constantly badgered for it’s lack of a fan base and continuously considered a city not worthy to have professional sports - add that to the fact there are fewer and fewer “true Southerners” in the city every day and you get a new breed of fans who want to change the reputation of Atlanta as a sports town. Unfortunately, they’re going about it the wrong way.

I’m all about heckling opposing teams fans - but one thing fans need to remember is that when you use vulgar language in heckling around kids, they’re going to absorb that as acceptable behavior. Then their parents have to work twice as hard to deprogram that, which may include not going to Braves games. If they don’t, then those kids may grow up to be vulgar fans too.

By nativebird

April 24, 2008 9:22 AM | Link to this

This is TURNER FIELD’S problem, instead of being so worried about kicking out a little kid who changed seat’s in the 8th inning, they need to focus on these drunk rednecks (yes their are many there) and ensuring a higher level of safety, enjoyment and appropriate behavior at a baseball game for families. Having a SINGLES BAR in the outfield does not help either. Turner Field needs to get a clue of WHO exactly is paying the real bills and supporting the team. here’s a hint: It’s not your average 22 year old male, and 19 year old girls walking around HALF DRESSED at the ballgame.

By George Washington

April 24, 2008 10:07 AM | Link to this

Those six punks should be charged as a gang, and treated just like any other street gang….This is why I don’t attend any professional sports games anymore…too many punks looking to die young, too many legal problems for me if I granted them their wish….

By Jawjaboy

April 24, 2008 10:30 AM | Link to this

I’m a Braves Fan from way back, back to the Atlanta Crackers and Ponce De Leon Ball Park. I don’t enjoy sitting around such red-necks either. My wife and I recently attended a game in Coors Stadium between the Rockies and the Royals and we both wore our Braves hats. We weren’t harassed or bothered in any way. With conduct like that Atlanta doesn’t deserve a major league team.

By MT Braves Fan

April 24, 2008 11:16 AM | Link to this

Gwardan, the guy didn’t start a fight, he got sucker punched by some drunk j******* at a professional baseball game. In April. Who was there with family. Who just happened to be wearing a pirates hat. What a joke! If this, as you say, “happens all the time,” don’t you think that’s a problem?

By Jason

April 24, 2008 11:37 AM | Link to this

Here’s a novel concept—-when these jerks start becoming vulgar and shouting obscenities, remove them from the stadium. It always amazes me that once people get into a sports stadium or arena they forget how to act. They think it’s okay to yell profanities and in some cases assault people. It’s just as illegal inside a stadium or arena as it is outside the stadium or arena. Grow up.

By j-school dropout

April 24, 2008 11:40 AM | Link to this

This is disgusting. I have always prided myself on the decorum of Braves fans and the way they welcome supporters of other teams to the Ted. I hope they put these b******* under the jail. They are thugs.

By pat

April 24, 2008 12:08 PM | Link to this

Seen the Cubs fans, lately? And yall are worried about ONE incident with the Braves?

The Cubs aren’t lovable, they are just losers.

By tom

April 24, 2008 12:27 PM | Link to this

Always found TF to be one of Atlanta’s safest places. I recall a Mets game several years ago where a fight might have happened, but I went to an usher between innings and he sent security to our area. The problem folks disappeared. I go with my with and son, Safety is very important to us.

By B Wall

April 24, 2008 12:45 PM | Link to this

Da Mick said as well as anyone could. That’s why we don’t go to the games anymore, either!

By Hammerin Hank

April 24, 2008 1:04 PM | Link to this

This type of behavior isn’t by any means isolated to today’s fans. I remember sitting next to a bunch of rednecks at old Fulton County back in the 80’s.

Not only did they consume massive quantities of beer but they also passed around a joint. They had a grand ol time for a few innings till it started catching up with them.

The one sitting next to me eventually passed out and started leaning on my shoulder.

Fortunately his buddy woke him up and they and the rest of their group left long before the game was over.

I still don’t get it though. Why bother with the expense of a Braves game when you can get bombed at home or at a bar for a lot less money?

Considering the cost of a beer at the Ted these days, I’d think you’d have to be pretty well loaded financially to get loaded at a game.

By Just a Baseball Fan

April 24, 2008 1:09 PM | Link to this

I feel much safer on the INSIDE of TURNER FIELD than I do on the opposite side of the gates.

Oh, what a joy it is to have all of “Atlanta’s Finest” street hustlers, mental asylum escapees, future (& present) felons, ill-tempered ticket smugglers, loud-mouthed religious cult fanatics and ultra-aggressive panhandlers come to greet me and say hello on my way in and out of TURNER FIELD!

Why don’t the BRAVES do something about the panhandlers who stand immediately outside the gates to hustle people once their pass through the threshold.

Have a sincere death wish? Try walking to the nearest MARTA station after the end of a night game, and your wish may just come true.

(No, I am not kidding.)

Those little wooden bats sold in the BRAVES CLUBHOUSE STORE have come in VERY handy for me in more than once instance!

By BravesFan4Life

April 24, 2008 1:10 PM | Link to this

I feel bad for the guy that got punched but you shouldn’t have been wearing a pirates hat to a braves-pirates game IN ATLANTA!!!Rowdy fans are in every sport at every team’s home games , it just makes headlines here because it rarely happens , if you are going to let a couple of bad apples spoil your time then you aren’t a true braves fan to begin with . And to the idiot that does not know baseball history the Braves have 3 world series wins(1914,1957,1995), oh yea and remember 91 and 92 !!!!! haha. I have drank beer at games and may trash talk a little with some of the oppsing teams fan’s but I would never instigate any physical violence with them, mainly because I don’t want to go to jail. But if that did happen to a mets fan or (insert NL or AL team here) fan then he deserves it.

By BossLady

April 24, 2008 1:27 PM | Link to this

Way to Go George Washington

By Thin the herd of morons

April 24, 2008 1:36 PM | Link to this

I’ve been to three home games this year. Based purely on personal anecdotes and nothing approaching statistically significant survey techniques, the Braves this season are hosting an unusual number of groups of eight to 10 who are dumb drunk stupid rednecks, typically in their early 20s, who don’t bat an eye about screaming four-letter words practically in the ears of my kids, and who are actually stupid enough to harass the traffic control cops on their lurching away from the stadium.

What gives with that? Was there some kind of baby boom of stupid people 23 years ago in greater Atlanta?

By BravesFan4Life

April 24, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

If they want to cut down on rowdy fan behaviour then they should ban opposing team’s fans from the games, mainly mets fans, i was at a game last year when security threw a mets fan out because he was being a drunken a* because his team was getting beat.

By gwardan

April 24, 2008 1:49 PM | Link to this

MT I never said he picked a fight but if you read more on this he got into it verbally with these jerks earlier in the game and then they sucker punched him. I do not think it is right or justified in any way but it happens when you put thousands of people together. If you have some drunks or even sober jerks dropping F bombs and you have your kids with you ask them nice to stop and if they do not go find an usher or cop and they will take care of it for you. They really do throw folks out for that if they do not stop.

By Jcook

April 24, 2008 2:06 PM | Link to this

This is nothing compared to what goes on at other clubs i.e. Philly, NY, Chicago. This fair weather city needs to have a little spark. Get some partials bro and move on.

By Brill

April 24, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this

Someone gets sucker punched in front of thousands of people and no one did anything ? No security around ? Any police ??? What gives ? That is weak. And the sucker puncher is a top shelf p*y.

By Stuart

April 24, 2008 8:01 PM | Link to this

I was in San Fransico for the Braves series vs. the Giants in 2003. It was the one where Bonds went deep in game one and three. I was at games one and three.

I had my braves hat on and when the game one HR went out I had fans throw junk from the stands.

After the sweep was finished I had multiple Giants fans cuss me and put brooms in my face.

At Shea in 2004 I was walking to my seat at Shea and some drunk Mets fan was coming down on my same side and cussed me saying ‘I dont move for no f n braves fan.’ I politely moved out of the way and did not face any harrassment even after Piazza hit the clinching homerun off of Boyer.

Fans are nuts, PERIOD.

By scottbravesfan

April 26, 2008 7:46 PM | Link to this

You people live in a sheltered world. Atlanta has rowdy fans? HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAH

Give me a break, Atlanta is like going on a walk with a monk. Go to a real city like New York, Boston, Philly and you will get destroyed by wearing another team’s jersey in their building. I wish Atlanta was like that, it’s so embarrassing when there are more Red Sox and Cub fans in the Ted than Braves fans. We need more fans that won’t take crap off of other team’s fans.