Fan Behavior and What It Says About Us

Bryan Stow is in a coma. The San Fransisco Giants fan was beaten in the parking lot of Dodger Stadium after a Giants - Dodger game earlier this month. The details of what happened I am not sure of but one can guess that alcohol played a part. Disputes between fans happen frequently at sporting events.

Sometimes the back and forth chants between opposing groups of fans, at a Bangor-Brewer basketball game for example are amusing and fun. Sometimes they are a little rude and not a great idea. Still words, even when in bad taste, do not hurt.

All the major league sports have a problem. NBA fans who can be close to the crowd abusing opposing players verbally from the beginning of a game to the end. Hockey fans we have all heard stories about. Football fans make alcohol a pregame ritual.

Major League Baseball may have the biggest problem. As the team with the longest season they need the most repeat customers. Taking a family to the game costs enough, getting a seat and then having to protect your children from the cursing, beer spilling drunk two rows over makes it an even more expensive event.

So Mr Stow may or may not recover. His family is strong and we all pray for him to get well. The men involved in the altercation with him will have to deal with the legal and moral recriminations of their actions.

I suppose fan behavior is no different than our culture in general. Yet watching the Boston Red Sox fans boo Carl Crawford as he struggles in his first month with the team makes one wonder if they realize that for the next eight years he will be the left fielder for the team. Do we suppose he will ever forget this treatment. Fans act confused and suprised that players leave them and do not show loyalty. After this behavior do we blame them. Sox fans were surprised when Johnny Damon did not wish to rejoin them last September, this after five years of booing.

Yankees suck is often heard at Fenway, even when the Yankees are not in town. At this point with two titles of our own do we really need to be doing this. What is wrong with going to the game and being supportive.

Colin Cowherd says stay home and watch it on the Vizio, It is cheaper and you see better. Little did he know saying it was safer was also a factor.

We all need to do better.