In the past month or so, we have seen videos of confrontations between Sox fans and security guards at Yankee Stadium and Tropicana Field. I have posted these videos not to glorify the incidents, nor to make celebrity of the those being apprehended. I posted them because these events HAPPENED. Had I not posted those videos, someone else would have. I will not sweep away these actions of both the fans being apprehended or the security guards. Let me make one thing perfectly clear: I do not approve of any belligerent, demeaning, vulgar, or violent actions by anyone claiming to be a Red Sox fan. I do however, question the fairness of the treatment that Sox fans get in these locations.

 

Let’s look at the incident at Yankee Stadium. The first Red Sox fan was being escorted calmly out of the stadium without incident when her friend came walking down the steps to check on her. The security officer immediately jumped in the friends face, became volatile, and initiated contact before apprehending her as well. We don’t know from that video what started the confrontation, but it certainly appears that that guard was chomping at the bit to eject a Sox fan.

 

Next comes the Sciesinski incident at the Trop. I don’t know what exactly he did to provoke the Trop security. He may have indeed been one of those loud, belligerent, drunken @$$#0leS that have no business calling themselves a Sox fan. On the other hand, “The Sarasota Daily Journal tells a different story. He wasn't drunk. He said he cursed in front of some kids but apologized. He said it was Rays fans who were being rowdy. He was just "heckling."

 

 

 

2-      Are security guards reacting unfairly to actions of Red Sox fans?

3-      Should these incidents be reported?

 

1~ I don’t know what they did to have security respond. It is quite possible and likely that their actions totally warranted security response, or it is quite possible that security totally over-reacted. In either situation, I reiterate: I do not approve of any belligerent, demeaning, vulgar, or violent actions by anyone claiming to be a Red Sox fan.

 

2~ Without knowing the exact nature of the fans actions, I cannot say if the actions of security were warranted or not. After reviewing what I AM able to see in the NY video, and what I read from the Sarasota DJ, it becomes totally within the realm of possibility that security over-reacted to the fans actions.

 

3~ YES. Without a doubt, yes. Reporting of these incidents is not a glorification of Darwin Award worthy behavior. Do you turn a blind eye towards those who claim to be Red Sox fans and commit such foul behavior? Or do you make these actions known to other caring, positive fans? These videos had already been posted in other public forums.  Yes, it is unpleasant to witness such surly behavior, but if you don’t know about it, how can you vent your dissatisfaction with these morons?

 

I understand why they turn cameras away from these incidents. They turn the cameras away from these fools so as not to glorify them, but this is not national, or even regional TV. This is a blog, and that does not translate this into glorification of the fools involved. This is a Red Sox blog where we can discuss any and all subjects Red Sox, including the unpleasant ones. This is where we can write about the Red Sox, whether we are just seeking a creative outlet,  whether we are aspiring sportswriters, whether we have a total passion for that Sox that insists that we write, any combination of those reasons. This is where we can vent our disapproval of those actions that warrant it, whether it’s the actions of the fans, or the security at other parks. If you disapprove of this questionable behavior, post a blog of your own and say so, but don’t shoot the messenger who alerted you to it in the first place. THOSE EVENTS HAPPENED, whether you like it or not.