Fan dies at baseball game

[ChicosBailBonds]

Third one to die at Turner Field alone in the last decade from falling.

http://espn.go.com/mlb/story/_/id/13541667/fan-falls-turner-field-upper-deck-atlanta-braves-new-york-yankees-game

Fans dying from falling at MLB stadiums, now at 24 that are known.   That doesn't count NFL stadiums including one at the 49ers Packers game two years back.  Buffalo has had several, as have other stadiums.

[MUsoxfan]

It's bad. I'm waiting for you to tell us how they're horrible, irresponsible people for falling to their deaths.

[ChicosBailBonds]

I'm waiting for someone to do something...put plexiglass up or 10 foot rails so this stuff doesn't happen....we must protect ourselves.


By the way, most of the deaths were the result of too much alcohol and someone making a bad step, off balance, etc.   Are they horrible people...come on.  Did they contribute to their deaths by the choices they made?  Yes.  Are they still accidents?  Of course.   

Now, should we erect huge barriers?  How about tethering people with a rope when they go down the aisles?

[MUsoxfan]

I'm waiting for someone to do something...put plexiglass up or 10 foot rails so this stuff doesn't happen....we must protect ourselves.


By the way, most of the deaths were the result of too much alcohol and someone making a bad step, off balance, etc.   Are they horrible people...come on.  Did they contribute to their deaths by the choices they made?  Yes.  Are they still accidents?  Of course.   

Now, should we erect huge barriers?  How about tethering people with a rope when they go down the aisles?

From the time I was a little kid, I've had anxiety about climbing the stairs at Us Cellular Field. My only shock is that more people don't fall over the ledge.

Some people do stupid things and fall over. Others are clumsy. But you seem to love blaming the victim

[GGGG]

This is part of Chicos' "logic."  Since people died at the ballpark in one way, you don't need to protect them another way by extending the nets.

[bradley center bat]

It was very odd watching on FS1 last night. Game was not stopped. Most in the stands had no clue that even happened.

[Pakuni]

The vast majority of these falling deaths involve inebriation and/or fans actively engaging in behaviors that put themselves in danger.
Thus, not remotely similar to the issue of fans being injured by foul balls and flying bats.

[Skatastrophy]

All sports should only be on TV. People only get hurt at stadiums when they're allowed inside of the stadiums.

[wadesworld]

Just take out the first 2-4 rows in the upper decks and barricade them off.

[ChicosBailBonds]

From the time I was a little kid, I've had anxiety about climbing the stairs at Us Cellular Field. My only shock is that more people don't fall over the ledge.

Some people do stupid things and fall over. Others are clumsy. But you seem to love blaming the victim

I don't love blaming the victim.  The reality is that millions of people go to games in stadiums each year and 99.99% of them make it home alive.  Almost always those that fall over the railing because they either leaned over, were drinking, or slipped.    Several of those reasons the victim took an active role in causing what happened.

Does that mean blaming the victim, or just calling it what it is?  Enjoyable?  Please...you can do better than that.

[ChicosBailBonds]

This is part of Chicos' "logic."  Since people died at the ballpark in one way, you don't need to protect them another way by extending the nets.

Nope, not at all....you continue to fail.

Instead, I'm asking this simple question. In the history of MLB baseball, one person has died from a foul ball.  1970 Giants vs Dodgers game.   In the history of MLB Baseball, 20X that many have died from flipping over railings.

Yet we seem to be paying attention to the one that happens so rarely you would have a better chance of hitting a hole in one today, walking home from the golf course and being struck by lightening. 


Don't worry, you'll get your extended nets at the ballpark...I have no doubt.  If they leave them to the dugouts, then I'm sure that's something that most will be able to live with other than the bedwetters that want it extended to the foul poles.    Now, what to do about the 20X more serious problem involving deaths at these games...how are we going to prevent this from continuing to happen?  What is to be done about this?

[GGGG]

Nope, not at all....you continue to fail.

Instead, I'm asking this simple question. In the history of MLB baseball, one person has died from a foul ball.  1970 Giants vs Dodgers game.   In the history of MLB Baseball, 20X that many have died from flipping over railings.

Yet we seem to be paying attention to the one that happens so rarely you would have a better chance of hitting a hole in one today, walking home from the golf course and being struck by lightening. 


Don't worry, you'll get your extended nets at the ballpark...I have no doubt.  If they leave them to the dugouts, then I'm sure that's something that most will be able to live with other than the bedwetters that want it extended to the foul poles.    Now, what to do about the 20X more serious problem involving deaths at these games...how are we going to prevent this from continuing to happen?  What is to be done about this?

<sigh>

Right.  Because the only thing we should prevent people from is death.  Serious injuries from foul balls?  Only "bedwetters" care.

You are a joke.

[Skatastrophy]

Just take out the first 2-4 rows in the upper decks and barricade them off.

Barricades can be dangerous though. People should be strapped into their seats like they do on roller coasters.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Barricades can be dangerous though. People should be strapped into their seats like they do on roller coasters.

But what if a meteor were to come while they are strapped in their seats....how would they be able to escape?

[Pakuni]

But what if a meteor were to come while they are strapped in their seats....how would they be able to escape?

They'd shoot it out of the sky with their gun, obviously.

[Skatastrophy]

They'd shoot it out of the sky with their gun, obviously.

Great idea, people at baseball stadiums should be given guns to protect themselves from the baseballs!

Great work everyone, we've solved another of the world's most problems!

[GooooMarquette]

They'd shoot it out of the sky with their gun, obviously.

Bravo!

But what would we do if a meteor was headed toward a gun show, with all those poor unarmed visitors?

[jficke13]

Do you guys get tired of getting into the same slap fights with each other every day here?

[🏀]

Great idea, people at baseball stadiums should be given guns to protect themselves from the baseballs!

Great work everyone, we've solved another of the world's most problems!

It'll work out well in The Cell, considering most of the fans are packing anyway.

[ChicosBailBonds]

<sigh>

Right.  Because the only thing we should prevent people from is death.  Serious injuries from foul balls?  Only "bedwetters" care.

You are a joke.

We already went through this awhile ago, "serious injuries" from foul balls is extremely low.  Of course you would likely define serious injuries differently than I would.  I define serious as in requiring medical attention, going to a hospital, etc.   I posted the findings of that exercise and the number is very small.  The chances are so incredibly remote.  48 foul balls per game X 162 games X 30 teams.....the chances of a serious injury extremely rare.   As the report also stated, even when a serious injury does happen a good chunk of them are from fans battling over a ball and get hurt in a scrum, that has nothing to do with the ball at all.

I'm happy to be a joke, you've always made me laugh.

[buckchuckler]

We already went through this awhile ago, "serious injuries" from foul balls is extremely low.  Of course you would likely define serious injuries differently than I would.  I define serious as in requiring medical attention, going to a hospital, etc.   I posted the findings of that exercise and the number is very small.  The chances are so incredibly remote.  48 foul balls per game X 162 games X 30 teams.....the chances of a serious injury extremely rare.   As the report also stated, even when a serious injury does happen a good chunk of them are from fans battling over a ball and get hurt in a scrum, that has nothing to do with the ball at all.

I'm happy to be a joke, you've always made me laugh.

Your math is a joke.  Obviously there are 30 teams, but the factor should be 15 (30/2).  Duh. 

[wadesworld]

Your math is a joke.  Obviously there are 30 teams, but the factor should be 15 (30/2).  Duh.

LOL.

That doesn't fit his agenda.  So once again, he'll go on looking foolish before he admits to being wrong.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Your math is a joke.  Obviously there are 30 teams, but the factor should be 15 (30/2).  Duh.

My apologies, you are correct. 

How's my math

2,430 games per year.  48 foul balls per game that reach the stands.  116K foul balls that get into the stands each year.  Average attendance at a MLB game 30K.  Number of games an average fan attends per year...2.3.

Chances of being hit by a foul ball.......

[CTWarrior]

As the report also stated, even when a serious injury does happen a good chunk of them are from fans battling over a ball and get hurt in a scrum, that has nothing to do with the ball at all.

I'm on your side in this discussion, but even though the point above is true, if there were nets the balls wouldn't go into the stands and people wouldn't fight over them.

Also, you may think this is part of our ceaseless move toward the wimpification of the country, but I think of it more as part of our constant attempt to protect morons and knuckleheads from themselves.

[buckchuckler]

LOL.

That doesn't fit his agenda.  So once again, he'll go on looking foolish before he admits to being wrong.

Don't try to use my awesome math skills for your agenda either.  My agenda is math.  Pure and simple.  Wait a minute, that has never been true.  Oh well...

[GGGG]

My apologies, you are correct. 

How's my math

2,430 games per year.  48 foul balls per game that reach the stands.  116K foul balls that get into the stands each year.  Average attendance at a MLB game 30K.  Number of games an average fan attends per year...2.3.

Chances of being hit by a foul ball.......

I guess you don't understand my point.  To me this isn't an issue of probability.  This year we have seen at least three serious injuries due to either a ball or bat going into the stands.  (Boston, Milwaukee, Chicago...)  In no other major sporting event do we see such injuries as a normal course of game action with the possible exception of NASCAR, which has done everything possible to fence in its tracks.

If extending the nets further down the stands prevents these serious injuries, it is an absolute no brainer IMO.

[wadesworld]

I guess you don't understand my point.  To me this isn't an issue of probability.  This year we have seen at least three serious injuries due to either a ball or bat going into the stands.  (Boston, Milwaukee, Chicago...)  In no other major sporting event do we see such injuries as a normal course of game action with the possible exception of NASCAR, which has done everything possible to fence in its tracks.

If extending the nets further down the stands prevents these serious injuries, it is an absolute no brainer IMO.

Agreed.  If you can prevent serious injury (heck, even minor injury) then why the heck not, no matter how rare the occurrence may be?

[ATL MU Warrior]

Agreed.  If you can prevent serious injury (heck, even minor injury) then why the heck not, no matter how rare the occurrence may be?

BECAUSE IT WILL TURN US ALL INTO hairy wet cats!!!

[CTWarrior]

Agreed.  If you can prevent serious injury (heck, even minor injury) then why the heck not, no matter how rare the occurrence may be?

Probably because a good chunk (probably the majority) of your paying customers don't want a net interfering with their view of the game and their ability to interact with players (like autographs before the game). 

[wadesworld]

Probably because a good chunk (probably the majority) of your paying customers don't want a net interfering with their view of the game and their ability to interact with players (like autographs before the game).

I understand this is probably the reasoning, but I'm guessing most people who have sat behind the net behind home plate have not had an issue with the game viewing experience.  I don't think it would make viewing the game any worse.

[GGGG]

Probably because a good chunk (probably the majority) of your paying customers don't want a net interfering with their view of the game and their ability to interact with players (like autographs before the game). 

That's not a good enough reason IMO.  Besides I am not talking foul pole to foul pole.  Maybe only to the dugouts.  Maybe beyond. 

[CTWarrior]

I understand this is probably the reasoning, but I'm guessing most people who have sat behind the net behind home plate have not had an issue with the game viewing experience.  I don't think it would make viewing the game any worse.

I have sat behind the net and I do not like it and purposely avoid those seats when I go to ballgames.  It's a matter of preference, I suppose.

The nets are coming, one successful lawsuit is all it will take.  As a baseball fan, I will not decrease attendance because of a net, but I will enjoy myself a little less.  I suspect MLB doesn't care as long as I am there.

[ChicosBailBonds]

Agreed.  If you can prevent serious injury (heck, even minor injury) then why the heck not, no matter how rare the occurrence may be?

It does matter how rare it is....that's ENTIRELY the point.  Why don't you wear a helmet when you drive your car?  It would help prevent serious injury.   I'm being dead serious.  Why don't you?  Do you make your son when he is driving?  Heck, even minor injury could be prevented and we aren't even talking about a major expense on your part.

You can do this exercise forever on just abou anything, except that in the baseball example it has real costs in both $$, experience, playing outcomes (catching foul balls), etc.   

With everything, there is a line.  Otherwise you would wear that helmet.  You would wrap your kids in bubblewrap.  You would not leave the house.  So on and so forth.