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pivalleygirl · Fri Aug 18, 2006 2:34 pm Jerk Line

8/18/2006 10:37:00 AM Email this article • Print this article
Cracking down on bleacher bums at games

Jordan Kobritz Courier Columnist

Rowdyism at sporting events is a major problem and teams are continually looking for ways to combat the growing perception that fans are out of control. The newest effort is called the "JERK LINE."

The Cincinnati Bengals have set up a telephone hotline to deal with obnoxious behavior in the stands. Fans with cell phones can dial 513-381-JERK to report "excessive" foul language. Offending fans will first be warned. Those that persist will run the risk of being ejected from the game, having their season tickets revoked, and being arrested and jailed.

"We're not going to be the curse police," said Bob Bedinghaus, the team's director of development for Paul Brown Stadium. "You need to understand you're coming to an NFL football game. On the other hand, we want to make sure that we're paying attention to those folks who are going over the line."

The team expects to receive some crank calls to the JERK LINE, but be forewarned: The team has caller ID.

Fans have complained to team officials that beer is fueling the problem, a situation that isn't unique to the Bengals.

In an effort to diffuse the volatile mix of beer and sports, Delaware North, the concessionaire at Great American Ballpark, home of the Cincinnati Reds, has instituted a new rule that says vendors can only sell beer to fans that don't already have one. If vendors don't abide by the new rule, they're fired.

Vendors say that fans are trying to get around the new rule, thereby jeopardizing their jobs. Said one fan on a recent trip to the ballpark: "This is America, it's a free country, you can do whatever you want. If someone wants a beer in their hand, that's their choice."

The problem of too much beer and too little common sense is not limited to fans of Major League sports. City officials in Missoula, Mont. home of the Missoula Osprey, rookie league affiliate of the Arizona Diamondbacks are cracking down on fans that watch the games on city property beyond the outfield fence. Area residents complain of too much trash, noise, and unruly activity during ball games.

"The problems began when people started to drink," said Missoula police Sgt. Shawn Paul. "It just became a bigger and bigger thing and it started turning into a party atmosphere." Police will now patrol the area and hand out tickets to fans that violate the city's no alcohol ordinance.

With the amount of money to be made from selling beer not to mention the advertising revenue available from distributors the problem of excessive alcohol consumption at sporting events is likely to get worse before it gets better. And like the recent airport security measures, how teams combat the problem may be more about perception than substance.

cerebralASSassin · Sat Aug 19, 2006 12:20 am

The jerk line in Austin is actually my cell phone :icon_action-smiley-055:

gorillakido · Sat Aug 19, 2006 2:28 am

lol thats great cerebral.

pivalleygirl · Sat Aug 19, 2006 2:53 am

cerebralASSassin wrote: The jerk line in Austin is actually my cell phone :icon_action-smiley-055:

So, what are you going to do when they call to complain about you? :icon_violent-smiley-017:

gorillakido · Sat Aug 19, 2006 9:31 pm

he shall have no problems

pivalleygirl · Sun Aug 20, 2006 2:31 am

He might have some problems when he's cussing them out and they're right next to him!

cerebralASSassin · Sun Aug 20, 2006 9:47 pm

Ill forward them to my assistant...Hellen Burn

gorillakido · Mon Aug 21, 2006 5:18 pm

backupgoalie · Mon Aug 21, 2006 7:24 pm

You can't use the word "jerk" on the "other" board. I did and was censored (that's ok) and then edited to say I like packing fudge(NOT COOL) and then blamed it on kido !!!

pivalleygirl · Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:03 pm

:icon_laughing-smiley-014:

Batdog · Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:15 pm

backupgoalie wrote: You can't use the word "jerk" on the "other" board. I did and was censored (that's ok) and then edited to say I like packing fudge(NOT COOL) and then blamed it on kido !!!

That's wrong! :icon_angry-smiley-055:

The guy who did that ought to be shot.

pivalleygirl · Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:18 pm

Then what will we do without you?

Batdog · Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:24 pm

I didn't say killed....I said shot. I was think more along the lines of a flesh wound.

pivalleygirl · Mon Aug 21, 2006 9:34 pm

Maybe bug is a bad shot!

thatbritishguy · Tue Aug 22, 2006 6:14 am

jerkline...something probably more useful for reporting yankees fans :icon_grinning-smiley-021:

its not like american football's even worth getting that het up for =op