Seattle giving out red cards to fans

[Gerk]

I'm sure Jay has received a few in his time in Seattle


wish this was a joke, but apparently Baseball Parks are going to begin giving out red cards to fans. The first stadium to do so is Safeco Field in Seattle, and they'll be given out for varying reasons and infractions....

Last summer, Andy Wattula and two friends settled into their outfield seats at Safeco Field to watch the Mariners play the Boston Red Sox. The warm, sunny Saturday afternoon was perfect for a ball game and was rendered even more ideal when the Sox opened up a big lead, to the delight of Wattula, who had just moved from Cambridge, Mass. As they stockpiled empty beer cups, Wattula and his friends—one a fellow Sox fan, the other a die-hard Mariners fan—bantered and joked with one another.

Near the end of the game, a seating host (Safeco's term for "usher") appeared, holding a red slip of paper. She presented it to Wattula and his friends and informed them that they needed to leave. "You violated the code of conduct," she said.

Wow...if New York instituted this policy over half the stadium would be kicked out (Hey-O!). But seriously, here's the list of things they can kick you out for...

•Foul/abusive language or obscene gestures

•Intoxication or other signs of impairment related to alcohol consumption

•Displays of affection not appropriate in a public, family setting

•Obscene or indecent clothing

•Any disruption of a game or event, including throwing of objects or trespassing on the playing field or other restricted areas

•Fighting, taunting or making threatening remarks or gestures

•Smoking or the use of tobacco products, in any form

.....and most importantly (and damaging to my baseball viewing experience)

•Sitting in a location other than the guest's ticketed seat