Saw it on TV and surreal is the word that comes to mind. The total silence in particular was so weird to witness.
I feel that MLB made the wrong decision. They basically punished the fans for something neither the team or its fans were involved in. They should have allowed access to the fans if they're still going to play the afternoon game. Seeing the fans watching at the gate made it look even more ridiculous. If the issue of safety was the top priority, they either should had a police presence around there to keep crowds from forming outside or not have the game at all.
Originally posted by supersalvadoranSaw it on TV and surreal is the word that comes to mind. The total silence in particular was so weird to witness.
I feel that MLB made the wrong decision. They basically punished the fans for something neither the team or its fans were involved in. They should have allowed access to the fans if they're still going to play the afternoon game. Seeing the fans watching at the gate made it look even more ridiculous. If the issue of safety was the top priority, they either should had a police presence around there to keep crowds from forming outside or not have the game at all.
(edited by supersalvadoran on 29.4.15 1834)
Major League Baseball does not control the Baltimore PD. The PD told them that they couldn't hold the event for the public because the police were too busy elsewhere, and having thousands of people at an event without police presence was deemed too dangerous. So saying that they should have allowed the fans in is basically saying they should have defied the law. Their options were hold the game without fans, postpone, or move to another location (which is what they're doing with the weekend series).
Michael Kay on ESPN New York ripped the players who pretended there was a crowd (one guy signed phantom autographs, others threw balls into the seats). He basically thought they were making jokes about a very serious situation. I'm not sure whether I agree or not--it didn't cross my mind when I saw the clips.
I think Michael Kay needs to lighten up a bit. Can't hurt to have fun with the situation, like the scoreboard having the 'guess the attendance' game as per usual except with all of the guesses being zero.
After over 13 years and 6800 posts, was finally named W of the Day on 3/21/2015. It's now all worth it!
Originally posted by Peter The HegemonMajor League Baseball does not control the Baltimore PD. The PD told them that they couldn't hold the event for the public because the police were too busy elsewhere, and having thousands of people at an event without police presence was deemed too dangerous. So saying that they should have allowed the fans in is basically saying they should have defied the law. Their options were hold the game without fans, postpone, or move to another location (which is what they're doing with the weekend series).
well then, I would had gone with the latter two options, most likely work out some deal with the Nationals and have it there instead. It's just hard, IMO, to make the case to close the game out to the public for safety when the city is still allowing people to gather around the park. If the situation is that bad for the whole city (and I really hope it isn't and that beautiful city I have visited several times before can recover from this), then any event that could cause a formation of people that could become dangerous should be postponed for the time being.
As far as Kay goes, I agree with Bid Bad that he needs to lighten up. I don't know what he wants from the players but they were put in an awkward position and were simply trying to make the best of it. As long as they weren't mocking the serious events that caused this unusual event to occur, I'm fine with it.
And if 40,000 show up and riots break out at the stadium and people are harmed, then you're asking why they had a baseball game with riots going on throughout the city.
Not to sound like a dick, but so what if the wouldn't allow a crowd in. There's another 70 or so games this season for fans to enjoy. Better safe than sorry.
I agree, better safe than sorry. I would rather postpone the game or played it at another location. My point is that aren't they being a little bit contradictory by saying "let's not have crowds forming and possibly causing damage by rioting" and then showing footage of crowds forming outside the stadium anyway? I don't think you can just say big deal to that: if you're going to have extra enforcement around the city and a curfew to curtail people from gathering, then it seems to be too dangerous a situation where having a baseball game (even one closed to the public) just doesn't make sense to me. And I know I'm not the only one because I heard a couple of guys on ESPN, including Kornheiser on PTI say the same thing about the people outside the gates.
While 30-40 people may definitely be a "crowd" it's not like there were thousands of people clamoring to get in.
And, having worked at an arena before, it's nearly impossible to just have an event somewhere on a day's notice. The logistics of having that many people there, and having the employees to handle them is just too great.
There's also an ongoing legal dispute between the Orioles and the Nationals (over their shared TV network) which would've made moving the game there unlikely at least and definitely uncomfortable.
Originally posted by Big BadI think Michael Kay needs to lighten up a bit. Can't hurt to have fun with the situation, like the scoreboard having the 'guess the attendance' game as per usual except with all of the guesses being zero.
That is awesome.
It's a one-of-a-kind situation and I see no problem with having a little fun with it. Lighten the mood.
His "personal problems" revolved around a lawsuit filed in the Dominican by former major-leaguer Mario Guerrero. He demanded compensation for helping Mondesi reach the big leagues, or improving his game, something of that nature.
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