PhishPhan Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 BOSTON -- After conducting a thorough four-day investigation of the much-discussed matter that took place Thursday night at Fenway Park with a couple of fans and Yankees right fielder Gary Sheffield, the Red Sox announced their ruling on the matter. The club announced that the fan (season-ticket holder Christopher House) who interfered with Jason Varitek's two-run triple by making contact with Sheffield while he was trying to field the ball will have his season-ticket privileges revoked for the remainder of the season. In a press release, it was noted that, "The club will consider reinstatement thereafter. (He will receive full reimbursement upon returning the tickets.)" The Red Sox pointed out that their ruling is in line with the club's season ticket agreement which each ticket holder agrees to upon purchase. "The agreement specifically provides that, 'Interfering with the play of the game in any way will not be tolerated and will be grounds for ejection from the premises, legal prosecution, recession of tickets, and cancellation of subscription privileges.'" The team also made a ruling on the fan who was seen dousing beer on Sheffield during the incident. "The fan who interfered with play by dousing Sheffield with a beer while he was fielding a ball will be prohibited from purchasing tickets for the remainder of 2005," said the press release. Major League Baseball has yet to rule whether Sheffield will be disciplined for swinging his arm at House (he didn't make contact) in the heat of the moment. Red Sox ace Curt Schilling doesn't think Sheffield should receive any penalty from Major League Baseball. "I don't think he deserves to be suspended," Schilling said. "I'm not sure who was watching what. Anybody with two eyes and good vision can see that he was watching the ball the whole way. He got hit in the side of the head and he reacted. He reacted probably calmer than a lot of people might have, calmer than a lot of people have in the past." The Red Sox hope that Monday's ruling will be an eye-opener to fans at future games. "Nearly all of our fans are respectful of the rules of baseball etiquette," said Red Sox chief operating officer Mike Dee. "We hope that this will be a warning to the fans who have the opportunity to sit in the first few rows that our policies against interfering with play will be enforced." In conjunction with the Red Sox, Major League Baseball Security also put a lot of time into the investigation. "The Red Sox front office and Major League Baseball Security conducted a thorough inquiry that included, among other things, the detailed reviews of video, interviews with those who were directly involved, witnesses to the altercation, fans who sit in Box 86, and security and police personnel who were in the vicinity," said Kevin Hallinan, Major League Baseball's senior vice president/security and facilities. "Fan interference of any kind is taken seriously at Fenway Park and throughout Major League Baseball." Fenway Park security was praised by players and officials on both teams for their role in the incident. "Given our ballpark's intimacy, we will be vigilant in maintaining Fenway Park's comfortable atmosphere," said Charlie Cellucci, director of security for the Red Sox. "But interfering with opposing players fielding a ball in play is unacceptable and will not be tolerated." Ian Browne is a reporter for MLB.com. This story was not subject to the approval of Major League Baseball or its clubs. link Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Heckeroo Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 i've bought tix on EBAY in that same row and sat 2 seats over i'm starting to wonder if i bought them from him Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Fish Tank Frenzy Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Its funny that they revoked his season tickets, but he isnt banned from Fenway. As long as he can get tickets elsewhere he can attend ball games. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Juanky Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Its funny that they revoked his season tickets, but he isnt banned from Fenway. As long as he can get tickets elsewhere he can attend ball games. 747440[/snapback] With the way Boston sells out he's not sitting close the field anytime before 06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PhishPhan Posted April 19, 2005 Author Share Posted April 19, 2005 UPDATE: The guy who spilled beer on Sheff will no longer be able to buy tickets. Per BBTN Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
FreshFish Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 great action by the Red Sox. I applaud the organization. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgator Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 Interesting move by the Sox...if the guy actually intended to do something. But as they said on BBTN, he reached into the field of play, and that's a no-no. BTW Don't know if these were posted or not, but there was a guy in the 2nd row (behind the guy) taking pix: FHM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QuickGold Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 They refunded his money. Am I the only one who thinks that's lame? If you're gonna lose your tix, you shouldn't get your $$ back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MarlinsContinueTo ShowDomi Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 F**k the Red Sox!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSwift25 Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 They refunded his money. Am I the only one who thinks that's lame? If you're gonna lose your tix, you shouldn't get your $$ back. 747706[/snapback] Well, no, because it's a standard agreement between the team and the season ticket holder that tickets can be revoked at the discretion of the team, and they will be refunded. With the Marlins, if your tickets are revoked, you can't renew, so I think it's kind of interesting that he could be back in '06. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Flamarlins3 Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 I don't think the beer guy should have lost his tickets Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Fritz Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 ?Sheffield flipped out. He started screaming, ?You f***ing punched me!? After he threw the ball back in, he was about a foot away and said, ?Don?t f***ing punch me.? The guy was leaning back into me, saying, ?I don?t know what you?re talking about.? Sheffield said afterward how much restraint he had, but he was very close to jumping in the stands and laying this guy out. He was livid. He?s the last Yankee I would mess with.? This guy makes it out like if you get hit in the face while doing your job you shouldn't get pissed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cgator Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 ?Sheffield flipped out. He started screaming, ?You f***ing punched me!? After he threw the ball back in, he was about a foot away and said, ?Don?t f***ing punch me.? The guy was leaning back into me, saying, ?I don?t know what you?re talking about.? Sheffield said afterward how much restraint he had, but he was very close to jumping in the stands and laying this guy out. He was livid. He?s the last Yankee I would mess with.? This guy makes it out like if you get hit in the face while doing your job you shouldn't get pissed. 747757[/snapback] Funny part was that the guy making the statement was a big Yankee fan. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TSwift25 Posted April 19, 2005 Share Posted April 19, 2005 ?Sheffield flipped out. He started screaming, ?You f***ing punched me!? After he threw the ball back in, he was about a foot away and said, ?Don?t f***ing punch me.? The guy was leaning back into me, saying, ?I don?t know what you?re talking about.? Sheffield said afterward how much restraint he had, but he was very close to jumping in the stands and laying this guy out. He was livid. He?s the last Yankee I would mess with.? This guy makes it out like if you get hit in the face while doing your job you shouldn't get pissed. 747757[/snapback] :notworthy Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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