The D'Backs will join the Astros, Braves and Marlins as
the only MLB teams to prohibit fans from bringing food or
drink inside their ballparks, according to Mark Shaffer of
the ARIZONA REPUBLIC. D'Backs Media Relations Manager Bob
Crawford: "The decision was a slam dunk. If you're selling
a product, you don't want to let the same product come in."
But one fan, Chris Petropulos, said the decision "adds a lot
of fuel to the fire" of negative perceptions regarding
D'Backs Managing General Partner Jerry Colangelo and added,
"The taxpayers are paying for the stadium. We should at
least be allowed to bring food and Cokes into it" (ARIZONA
REPUBLIC, 5/12). The team's decision was criticized by two
REPUBLIC columnists this morning. Under the header,
"Coolergate A Public-Relations Goofup," Joe Gilmartin
writes, "But the perception is that the Diamondbacks are
every bit as avaricious and arrogant as their critics say
they are. And perception has yet to lose its first decision
to reality." Columnist E.J. Montini: "You only do such a
thing ... because you can, because you're greedy, because
you know no one is going to stop you" (AZ REPUBLIC, 5/13).
