Should MLB ballparks have specific sections for away fans?

[UnderPressure]

Just like at European soccer stadiums? So that no brawls inside the stadium would happen?

[PlanetZoltan]

Just like at European soccer stadiums? So that no brawls inside the stadium would happen?

I didnt think that fans of opposing teams did brawl in the stands at MLB parks.

[milladrive]

Yeah, soccer fans in Europe and South America tend to take their fanaticism to another level. A violent level. Imho, MLB doesn't need to separate the fans of opposing teams. In fact, there's enough separation in MLB ballparks as it is, in the form of class and income. We don't need even more separation/segregation in MLB.

:twocents:

[DrBear]

I wouldn't call it a problem - most fights I've seen at ballparks have been including only 2 or 3 (inevitably drunk) guys, not mass hooliganism, organized by people who have no interest in the game. The recent incidents at Los Angeles and Oakland are more due to alcohol and bad security. Besides, the ever-rising ticket prices are doing a good job of keeping the riffraff out.

[EdTarbusz]

Most ballpark fights I've seen looked to be alcohol fueled. In my experience, at least, ballpark fights are pretty rare. I don't think I ever saw one at Jacobs Field and hadn't seen one at Cleveland Stadium since around 1977.

[Chevy114]

I don't think enough people travel in packs to away games because baseball plays each other so much. In college football they have away seats because its 5 away games a year and make it more desirable to go to that "one" game. Yet if the Rays and Yankees play like 10 games in NYC I can go to any of them and my neighbor can go to a different one.

As for the fights, I see more fights between home fans and home fans than away and home. Tampa is known for having people that think they are cooler than they are and come to games late and drink too much and it causes problems for people who came on time and want to watch the game not get distracted by getting up or having too much drunk talk.

[alpineinc]

American spectator sports would be pretty dull if fans had to be separated by rooting interest.

[milladrive]

Besides, how would it be handled properly in the cases of Los Angeles playing Los Angeles, or Chicago playing Chicago, or New York playing New York?

It's a pretty decent question, but I think most of the replies have been spot on.

[WEB]

Even considering the venue, ticket availability, this seems like a very tough thing to incorporate. Also many folks or even groups visiting from other cities may want the best available seats which likely would not be in a visiting team designated section.

This would be a guess on my part, but also to create such a section could make it a target for some of the home teams fans and create new issues.

There are always going to be a few fights at sporting events, either alcohol related or anything related regardless of team preference.

Still an interesting topic.

[JohnCropp]

This is already happening with college athletics and Major League Soccer.

I'm surprised that it hasn't happened at least in the NFL yet.

[Mr. Laser Beam]

No, they should always let fans of both teams mingle. If they're worried about visiting fans getting plunked, that fear is way overblown. I mean, of course what happened to Bryan Stow was a tragedy to the Nth degree, but it's not like that kind of thing happens every game - not even at Dodger Stadium.

For instance, I'm a Yankee fan who had a great time at Fenway last year and not a single Red Sox fan was ever mean to me (in fact they were very NICE to me). And in a couple of weeks I will be in Philadelphia with my Met gear on and I don't expect them to give me any grief either. People in general are not mean to each other at baseball games. So what's the point of separating people? None.

[NJYankeeFan]

No, they should always let fans of both teams mingle. If they're worried about visiting fans getting plunked, that fear is way overblown. I mean, of course what happened to Bryan Stow was a tragedy to the Nth degree, but it's not like that kind of thing happens every game - not even at Dodger Stadium.

For instance, I'm a Yankee fan who had a great time at Fenway last year and not a single Red Sox fan was ever mean to me (in fact they were very NICE to me). And in a couple of weeks I will be in Philadelphia with my Met gear on and I don't expect them to give me any grief either. People in general are not mean to each other at baseball games. So what's the point of separating people? None.

It was nice knowing you.

There is a reason they have jail cells in Philly stadiums.

[UnderPressure]

I don't think "Bleacher Creatures" welcome away fans.

EDIT: After almost 7 years, I've finally reached the 1,000 post mark!

[JohnCropp]

No, they should always let fans of both teams mingle. If they're worried about visiting fans getting plunked, that fear is way overblown. I mean, of course what happened to Bryan Stow was a tragedy to the Nth degree, but it's not like that kind of thing happens every game - not even at Dodger Stadium.

For instance, I'm a Yankee fan who had a great time at Fenway last year and not a single Red Sox fan was ever mean to me (in fact they were very NICE to me). And in a couple of weeks I will be in Philadelphia with my Met gear on and I don't expect them to give me any grief either. People in general are not mean to each other at baseball games. So what's the point of separating people? None.

Are we talking segregation or just separate sections?

The MLS and college football have assigned sections for visiting supporters and those supporters have to buy their tickets from the visiting team.

Fans can mingle, but they have their own assigned sections.

[Jgweiss]

I don't think "Bleacher Creatures" welcome away fans.

I took my Dad to a Mets game at Yankee Stadium for Father's Day in 2007; bought the tickets from my Bleacher Creature friend. I wore my hat, dad wore his bright blue and orange jacket. We were right in the middle of it all; two rows behind Bald Vinny, and not too far over. Since this isn't our stadium, we weren't hooting and hollering, but we applauded our first place team. The Creatures around us were friendly, making small talk and discussing the two teams. It was civil!

And if you've never been, the RF bleachers during Roll Call is a great experience. I'm not sure if it's the same since the Big Move, but in 2007, it was INTENSE!