Fan behavior is no longer humorous

Admit it. You've occasionally gotten a laugh out of someone running onto a field during a sporting event. Whether they are clothed or not, we all get a chuckle from these morons. Nike recognized this with its hilarious streaker ad this past winter in which a naked Brit runs onto a soccer pitch and the stewards cannot catch him (due to his flashy new Nike sneakers).\nHowever, recently the line of acceptable behavior appears to be crossed more and more often. Fans no longer go to the game just to watch it. They need to participate in it. Seven months ago, a father and son ran onto the field during a game at Comiskey Park and attacked Kansas City Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa. Then, on April 15, another crazed fan at the same ballpark (now renamed U.S. Cellular Field) attempted to attack first base umpire Laz Diaz at the end of the eighth inning. Fortunately, the fan was quickly subdued and Diaz, a former Marine, was unharmed.\nIn the NBA, Ron Artest was recently hit with a quarter during a game in Cleveland on April 2. A few years ago, NFL fans in Cleveland threw bottles at referees leaving the field after some questionable calls cost the Browns a game.\nLast hockey season Toronto Maple Leaf Tie Domi was attacked as he sat in the penalty box in Philadelphia by a fan who climbed over the glass (incredibly, the man, Christopher Falcone, 38, of Havertown, Pa., is now suing Domi and the Flyer organization for damages).\nEuropean soccer has seen its fair share of attacks as well in recent months. A match this fall between Birmingham City and Aston Villa was marred when a fan invaded the City pitch and 'playfully' slapped the Villa keeper in the face after he allowed an awful goal. England's next qualifier for the 2004 European Championships against Slovakia might be ordered to be played behind closed doors because of fans running onto the pitch following a recent match versus Turkey. The Republic of Georgia's April 30 match with Russia will be played in an empty stadium after a fan threw a knife at Irish midfielder Kevin Kilbane during a recent 2-1 Georgian win in Tbilisi, Georgia.\nIt is hard to say what over the last few years has led to the rise in fan violence. Perhaps the rising cost of tickets has led to fans feeling that they now have a role in what happens on the field. If the game isn't entertaining enough, the fan feels he has the right to make it so. The selling of alcohol during games, often into the game's late stages, is also a contributing factor.\nIn addition to sports-related explanations, exhibitionism is part of the current American culture. The rise of reality television has led to a "put me on camera" culture. We have "Married By America," "Fear Factor" and all the rest. Why isn't it a surprise that people are willing to do anything, even attack coaches, umpires or players, to get on television?\nSo what can be done? UEFA has made a great step by having teams with fan violence play in front of a closed stadium. This hits the team in the pocketbook and sends a strong message that such behavior is not to be tolerated. Perhaps by making the White Sox play a series in front of empty seats will make the Comiskey Park management realize they need to keep fans off the field.\nStadium management also needs to take further steps. More security is necessary. Also, perhaps banning the sale of beer at games might help keep people from getting drunk during the game and keep control of themselves. I would say that perhaps raising the price of beer at a game would be a good idea, but if people are already willing to pay $6 for a cup of beer than there is no way that can work.\nFinally, fans need to realize what a ticket is. A ticket gives one the right to be entertained. To be amazed. And even the right to boo, heckle and jeer. One can even make a fool of one's self to get on the Jumbotron. The key is to stay in one's seat. A ticket does not give anyone the right to invade a field and put people at risk of injury, or worse.