Fan Violence Continues
Posted by beaston26 on August 23rd, 2011
Fan violence stole the headlines on the first day of the 2011 Major League Baseball season. Following the conclusion of a Los Angeles Dodger victory over their fierce rivals, the San Francisco Giants, a Giant fan by the name of Bryan Stow was nearly beaten to death by his attackers. Stow, who remains hospitalized to this day, has shown signs of brain damage, seizures, was induced into a coma, and had to undergo emergency surgery as a result of the seizures and fluid build up. Stow’s attackers remain unpunished despite composites being released by the LAPD who call the case a top priority. Two suspects have been arrested and charged, but have plead not guilty.
On April 11th, less than two weeks after the attack took place, the Giants and Dodgers met again in San Francisco. Prior to the onset of the game Giant reliever Jeremy Affeldt addressed the crowd about fan violence. Affeldt said that each person has a right to support his or her team no matter what and fans need to respect one another to prevent violence. After Affeldt finished speaking, Dodger infielder Jamey Carroll took the microphone and reiterated his counterpart’s message. The crowd cheered and the game commenced.
Apparently the San Francisco fans chose to ignore this message entirely. Sunday night, following the conclusion of a San Francisco 49ers and Oakland Raiders preseason game, violence erupted yet again, this time in San Francisco outside of Candlestick Park. Two Oakland Raider fans were shot with one fan suffering life-threatening injuries. Another fan was attacked and knocked unconscious while using the men’s restroom. Since the attack took place, the 49ers and Raiders have decided to discontinue their preseason series. The 49ers also announced there would be crackdowns on tailgating and penalties for season-ticket holders selling their seats to unruly fans. While a large majority of the fans who attended the game were most likely well-behaved (it was a preseason game after all), it only takes a couple of bad apples to ruin the entire bunch. Hopefully fans get it through their skulls that fan violence absolutely needs to end before the fan experience gets ruined for everyone.
