Ever felt unsafe in an "enemy" team's stadium?

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Just curious...to those here whose favorite team is part of a particularly heated rivalry (in baseball, this would include Yankees/Redsox, Dodgers/Giants, and a few others), have you ever felt unsafe or in danger if you went to a game in the other team's park? If so, what did you do about it? I'm sure there's a fair amount of heckling, but has anyone here ever actually been attacked? As in physically?

For instance: Everyone here knows that I'm a Yankee fan. A couple of weeks ago, I saw four games (at Yankee Stadium) where the Yankees played the Red Sox. There were quite a few Sox fans there. And even in the bleachers, where I sit, there wasn't a lot of heckling or abuse, except if a visiting fan was being obnoxious or loudly drunk or stuff like that. Those who just happened to be wearing the opposing team's "colors" and just sat there watching and cheering, were generally not harmed.

Has this been a common experience to all of you whose team is part of a rivalry like this?

Or, to put it another way: Would it be safe for me, as a Yankee fan, to wear Yankee gear to Fenway Park? Assuming, like I said, that I wasn't being loud or insulting or obnoxious or anything like that. Yankee Stadium security keeps a close eye on things; is this generally true over there as well? Or should I wear 'disposable' gear, just in case?

(I have been to Fenway before, but at that time the game was not against the Yankees.)

 

[Canadave]

Well, I've been a Leafs fan here in Ottawa at Senators games a number of times, and that wasn't bad at all. Of course, Ottawans are polite to a fault, so that isn't a huge shock.

I've also cheered for the Saskatchewan Roughriders in Montreal, which certainly felt a little more hostile. Montrealers do tend to be more passionate about their sports teams, though, so that wasn't really a shock. Would never really say I felt unsafe, though... just a little less welcome.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ But they never actually attacked you, did they? Nobody ever hit you, threw beer or food on you, etc.?

I mean, my Yankee jacket (and most of the shirts) were not exactly free. Wouldn't much care to get them spoiled by food, or worse, blood.

 

[Canadave]

^ Oh no, they definitely didn't. But given Montreal's tendency to riot about sports, it's harder to feel as comfortable there as some other places.

 

[sidious618]

Security at Yankee stadium tends to be pretty strict so I'm not surprised nothing happened. I don't know about Fenway but it's a beautiful stadium so I imagine they try to keep it safe as well.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Yeah. It depends on the team, but in european football(/soccer) it's often not recommended or even forbidden to watch a game in the opponents stadium except in specially designated sections, especially wearing your club's colours visibly. There's a reason for the relatively strict seperation of home- and away-supporters in many european leagues; it's not that people would stabbed otherwise but it just prevents trouble from even developing.

 

[SmoothieX]

I think the concept is ridiculous. I should be allowed to root for whoever I want without fear that some drunken mouthbreather is going to try to hurt me. I bought a ticket fair and square. I've even felt uncomfortable in my own team's stadium when people start getting belligerent in my section. Last thing I need is to get hit by a stray beer bottle.

As I've gotten older I've started buying better seats to get away from the degenerate riff raff in the upper deck and bleachers, esecially if my wife is coming with me. She doesn't need to hear a bunch of fat losers in body paint cusssing like sailors. It's turned out to be a much more civil and enjoyable experience.

 

[1001001]

I went to a Rams/Raiders game in Oakland many years ago.

It was a nightmare! I have been to other stadiums (Mile High, Candlestick) and it's always been good natured fun. Not in Oakland. Those guys are totally out of control.

It's no wonder they can't sell out any games there.

Well, that and the fact that California's 3-Strikes Law has really cut into their fan base. I understand they're going to remedy this by putting a parole office right in the stadium. Submit a clean test and you get a ticket.

 

[SmoothieX]

I'm sure their mothers are very proud of him.

 

[Roger Wilco]

Well, that and the fact that California's 3-Strikes Law has really cut into their fan base. I understand they're going to remedy this by putting a parole office right in the stadium. Submit a clean test and you get a ticket.

 

[Jetfire]

I have been in Baltimore Stadium or what ever the hell it is called...Raven's Stadium???

M&T Bank Stadium.

This was for a concert not a sporting event though...it was Metallica, KoRn, Kid Rock, Powerman 5000 & System Of A Down...I felt safe there for the most part.

[edit] The Redskins & Ravens are belt way rivals...forget this post.

 

[SmoothieX]

Ravens and 'Skins aren't really rivals though, they play in different conferences. Pittsburgh is more of a rival for the Ravens and the Eagles for the Redskins.

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

Well, that and the fact that California's 3-Strikes Law has really cut into their fan base. I understand they're going to remedy this by putting a parole office right in the stadium.

The old Veterans Stadium in Philly actually had that! They were arresting so many out-of-control fans (esp. from the upper decks) that they literally had to have a jail right in the stadium.

 

[Lindley]

I've never seen things get out of hand at Fenway, but I didn't go very often even when I lived outside Boston.

 

[tomalak301]

The only time this has really happened was when I watched a game at Dodger Stadium but the section I was in was full of Cub fans (And there were even some Giants fans above me). It was awesome.

 

[B.J.]

When I was in the marching band at Georgia Tech, we were always the target of taunts and berating, especially at Clemson and Georgia. However, most people (except for the stupidly drunk) knew better than to mess with us. Sure, you might be able to pick a fight with a piccolo player, but she has many large friends in the drums & low brass! I played bass drum myself, so not only did I have a massive drum strapped to me, but a nice pair of heavy sticks. One Georgia fan actually tried to take my mallet from me - he got a nice bruise in the kidney for his trouble, and all I had to do was swing a bit wider while playing!

 

[Pegaritaville]

I've probably gone to see my Packers play in Minnesota more than I've seen them at Green Bay and I've never had a problem. Plenty of good natured ribbing, but that's about it. At the bars, on the other hand, things can get a bit dicey (on the border, there's usually lots of fans from both sides). I've seen plenty of drunken fights between Packer and Vikings fans.

Never had a problem going to Twins games at other stadiums either, but the Twins don't really have a big rivalry with any other team.

 

[Jack Bauer]

I'm sure their mothers are very proud of him.

image deleted

Dude, their mothers are in the stadium with them...and beaming with pride. Welcomes to Raidernation!

 

[Mr. Laser Beam]

^ And what happens to the 'enemy' fans who happen to sit next to these people?

 

[Maestro]

I've been to Soldier Field to see the Packers twice. Other than drunken heckling from some of the fans sitting behind me, I never had a problem.

I did have a concession worker try to chew my ass at Happy Valley the year the UW Band went. She was mad because we displaced a whole bunch of regulars from their seats. I never got to go on the Ohio State trips, but I understand they're a bit dangerous.

Beyond that, nope.