Unruly Fan Behavior Causes Blue Jays To Partially Ban Alcohol

Blue Jays President & CEO Paul Godfrey yesterday said that alcohol sales "would be banned" from the $2 sections at Rogers Centre for this season's "three remaining promo nights and that, if the unruly behaviour persisted, the program could be scrapped entirely for the future," according to Allan Ryan of the TORONTO STAR. Godfrey: "We were disturbed by the excess drinking, both opening day (Friday night against the Red Sox) and Tuesday. We want to make it perfectly clear we're not going to tolerate this." Godfrey said that more than 100 fans were ejected both Friday and Tuesday, and added that there will "be increased security (from both police and internal staff) in the stands." Godfrey: "If (the alcohol ban) doesn't work, $2 Tuesdays will be gone" (TORONTO STAR, 4/10). Godfrey added that the team also will have "enhanced 'pat-down' security" at entrance gates. In Toronto, Jeff Blair reports "several fights broke out in the upper level" of the Rogers Centre during A's-Blue Jays Tuesday, and that was "also the case" for last Friday's game against the Red Sox (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 4/10). Godfrey: "A few can always ruin it for the majority. It's really unfortunate that some of them feel that this is a nightclub here. It's not a nightclub. It's a sports venue" (MLB.com, 4/9).

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