I am saddened…

[festivus]

Cool! You went to a football game, expecting only sporting event, but you caught a glimpse of the Maryland Half-Pint White Asshat, in its native environment!

[RedSkins Fury]

haha... this was only the introduction to the main event.... haha. The best is yet to come. And I wasn't even going to comment on the dude slapping his girlfriend around for talking to another dude in the beer tent/bar things they have set up in the main level concourse.

[BcRaven]

Glad you edited this to make it a *little* nicer, but you're still wrong.
The Ravens separate the parents from the kids. Which is fine, I get it, but then the kids need to be monitored by the team.

(1) I edited it because of spelling, my intent was still intact.
(2) When my daughter was a young child (she's 24 now), and I took her to the park, zoo, ball game, circus, she was always (not only) within my sight, but mostly holding daddy's hand. It is IMO still a parent's responsibility to protect their own child.
(3) I understand this generation's need to have two parents working, and send their underage children to day care.
But at a Ravens practice or game? Shame on you (us) for thinking another entity (like a football team) will watch over them like and you or I would... Bc

[Loco Ravens Fan]

Who knows... he was there on business and may have been in a box or something. Which removes you from everything... I'm sure even at a Ravens game the seats make a difference. I'm sure people who are in expensive lower level seats spend much less time getting really drunk outside and coming in halfway through the game and spend more time in watching the game.

Hmm... sorry your experience was so negative. I was sitting in the lower section about the twenty yard line and stayed into the fourth quarter. Everything was fine all around and in the sections next to us nothing going on even with Lions' fans scattered throughout the seats.
I learned many years ago even in DisneyWorld that adults will do almost anything for an autograph of a Disney character. It is society.

[RedSkins Fury]

I understand this generation's need to have two parents working, and send their underage children to day care.
But at a Ravens practice or game? Shame on you (us) for thinking another entity (like a football team) will watch over them like and you or I would... Bc

I just want to be clear. I personally never said the Ravens should watch over my kid. To be specific, I have never been to a camp since the new autograph rules were in place. I love the intent of the new rule, which is to get the kids close to the players and get kids autographs. I think that is awesome! And I agree with the poster that said 6 year olds don't know much about the players or care about autographs. probably true. I wasn't a fan or shuttling 500 kids off to the other side of the stadium. That leaves about 10 Ravens Employees (or whoever they are) looking out for 500 kids. At that point as a parent, there is little you can do. I couldn't even see my kid. While I don't expect the Ravens to be responsible for my kid.... at this point the take a little bit of general responsibility of the group of kids wellbeing on. But in the end... I let my kid go with the group.

And if they are going to post and publish a rule that says "1 Autograph allowed" then at least attempt to get the kids with 15 out of the way so some little kids can least get a glimpse of a player.

Whatever... my gripe wan't with the Ravens at all. They do a great job. And the players did too. EVERY player went over there for 15 minutes. My gripe is with some 43 year old first class A-hole sending his 16 year old to do his dirty work so he can live out his stupid autograph dreams....

[Mista T]

These little kids (4,5,6,7 etc ) don't even know what a Autograph is and honestly i don't think it would mean as much to them as it would for a 16yr old or a grown man. I know that sounds kind of mean but lets keep it real. The Grown men are the ones that give the NFL teams money, not 5 yr olds who don't know what or who a Football player is.

Sorry, but that statement is off. Many youngsters know a lot about football, and they hero-worship the star athletes. I have a few in my family who could outdo many adult Ravens fans with their knowledge of the complex game of NFL football.

Adults can attend other events where players & coaches autographs can be had. I fully support the Ravens 6-14 kids only policy.

Like Greg, I believe there should be some lining up by size -- shortest first - and go the the back of the line after getting any autographs.

[festivus]

(1) I edited it because of spelling, my intent was still intact.
(2) When my daughter was a young child (she's 24 now), and I took her to the park, zoo, ball game, circus, she was always (not only) within my sight, but mostly holding daddy's hand. It is IMO still a parent's responsibility to protect their own child.
(3) I understand this generation's need to have two parents working, and send their underage children to day care.
But at a Ravens practice or game? Shame on you (us) for thinking another entity (like a football team) will watch over them like and you or I would... Bc

Ok. You don't know what the rest of us are talking about.

edit: And you were so sure of yourself! Very amusing.

[Tspot-D-Ravenator]

I will say that I haven't been to as many games as you, but as I think back on the Ravens games I've attended, the premier examples of bad behavior have all been at preseason games.


.

FWIW Most of those IDIOTS at the pre-season game are probably not season ticket holders. Most season ticket holders sell their tickets for at least one pre-season game.

[RavenScallywag]

Sorry, but that statement is off. Many youngsters know a lot about football, and they hero-worship the star athletes. I have a few in my family who could outdo many adult Ravens fans with their knowledge of the complex game of NFL football.

Adults can attend other events where players & coaches autographs can be had. I fully support the Ravens 6-14 kids only policy.

Like Greg, I believe there should be some lining up by size -- shortest first - and go the the back of the line after getting any autographs.

I can back this up...My 4 year old went with me to try to get Torrey Smith's autograph last year, but we just missed the cutoff. At the time, he was more enthralled with the football I bought to get signed. This time, he was very much into the idea of getting a Raven to sign his football. And even though I was bummed at who signed his football (Cecil Newton, who I don't even hear camp reports about), he didn't seem to care, he just loved that someone signed his football...

The next week at the O's game, all he could ask was "Are we getting another autograph? Where do we go to get an autograph? Is that guy going to give autographs?" Luckily, Boog was at his BBQ so that gave me a great opportunity to have him SEE the autograph being given, get a picture of him with Boog, and satisifed him.

[Ravenswintitle]

I learned long ago that these games are not a place to take kids, it sucks but it's reality - ESPECIALLY pre season games.

try to use it as a positive teaching moment

[Beau Petard]

Furry-
Just a thought, but maybe a well-articulated, hand-written/typed letter that lays out your concerns sent to the Ravens admin offices might be a worthwhile venture.

[wickedsolo]

Furry-
Just a thought, but maybe a well-articulated, hand-written/typed letter that lays out your concerns sent to the Ravens admin offices might be a worthwhile venture.

Agreed.

Or maybe even to the Baltimore Sun and/or other local media outlets.

Shoot Tony an email and he may be able to put you in touch with someone.

[RavensRock]

RedSkins Fury, sorry to hear about your experience. I have a toddler that I hope to take to a game in a few years. I will say this... my own observation I've seen in the past is there is worse behavior at preaseason games. I can only assume it's because the regular ticket holders dump their tickets to anyone who will buy at a much lower cost or even for free. These people don't have to worry about losing PSLs since they don't own them. With that said, I've owned my PSLS since '99 and I've seen maybe two altercations (I'm talking actual fists thrown and not the usual crap where the section stands but noting happens). As for the autographs, when I was young I was never that good at pushing through a crowd kids to get an autograph so I can see how soem kids could easily come away empty handed. But it is what it is with autographs. The organized events are better for that sort of thing.

Anyway, here's to hoping you decide to take your son again and you guys have a better experience.

[Lee Van Cleef]

Whelp, if that's the way you feel, then that's a bummer. I've never experienced that and I've sat in several different spots at M&T. Sure, I've seen obnoxious fans and I've seen incredibly drunk fans doing dumb things, but more often than not security escorts them out of the stadium pretty quickly. Maybe security was a bit more lax since it was a pre-season game? No idea on that one.

I guess take the $$$ you'd spend on season tickets, but a sweet TV and grill and enjoy the games from home with your boy and some friends.

Seems lame that a guy who wants to enjoy some football with his kid has to be the one watching from home on TV and not the abusive thugs that ruin it for everyone else.

I don't understand people's need to get drunk at sports events. Surely to enjoy the game one wants to be in full possession of their mental faculties?

I agree with the people that suggest writing a letter. In the meantime, sadly, wicked is probably right, best watch it on the box.

[RedSkins Fury]

Furry-
Just a thought, but maybe a well-articulated, hand-written/typed letter that lays out your concerns sent to the Ravens admin offices might be a worthwhile venture.

Hey Beau! Nice to see you here. Yes, I would agree. Maybe I will write a letter. Unfortunately, while the Ravens could surly do some things to change the environment.... ultimately it's the behavior of the people that needs to change. I stress! I don't want the fans to sit down... I don't want the intensity to change. But people need to learn how to treat each other with civility. That is what's lost.

It's funny, some people here say they have never seen anything like this at the stadium, I would have to say that either you are not looking or don't care. It may not be happening in the seat next to you... but it's happening around you if you are paying attention.

As for the people who say it's just part of the deal and there is nothing we can do about. Yes, it has become an everyday reality... but it doesn't mean we have to accept it and tolerate it. We don't have to physically fight back to stop it. If everyone who had an issue sent a well written letter to the Ravens I bet they would address the situation. For those of you who are willing to "deal" with it... just imagine that that is your son doing it. How tolerable is it now?

I was at the Os game Thursday night against Boston and one thing I noticed about the ushers that was very different from Raven users was the age, demeanor, and professionalism. The Ravens actually have more ushers per section, but they don't pay attention to the section, they are only there to police/restrict entrance into the lower level. If they just place ONE usher roaming each section with a walkie-talkie line direct to Security, the majority of the problem would be solved.

I agree that the games are not a place to take a 6 year old. It's a shame... and I tried. But I see a lot of 6 year olds there... and if they are there then it needs to be a place that is appropriate for them. They are the future fans, this is were they will learn to be fans.

[ballhawk]

The world can be a cold place. You can either lock yourself in the house or you can go out there and try to be a shining light in the darkness.

[pslholder96]

As another poster has already mentioned, cheap preseason tickets in the hands of people who could barely afford them and have plenty of time (and alocohol) on their hands is a recipe for disaster.

[wickedsolo]

Seems lame that a guy who wants to enjoy some football with his kid has to be the one watching from home on TV and not the abusive thugs that ruin it for everyone else.

I don't understand people's need to get drunk at sports events. Surely to enjoy the game one wants to be in full possession of their mental faculties?

I agree with the people that suggest writing a letter. In the meantime, sadly, wicked is probably right, best watch it on the box.

It is lame.

It's funny, because I can honestly say that every game I've been to at M&T I have never gotten drunk and I've tailgated and drank beer(s) during the game. I don't know why, but I was more into the game than consuming as much $10 miller lite (blech...) as I possibly could on a Sunday afternoon.

[wickedsolo]

Hey Beau! Nice to see you here. Yes, I would agree. Maybe I will write a letter. Unfortunately, while the Ravens could surly do some things to change the environment.... ultimately it's the behavior of the people that needs to change. I stress! I don't want the fans to sit down... I don't want the intensity to change. But people need to learn how to treat each other with civility. That is what's lost.

It's funny, some people here say they have never seen anything like this at the stadium, I would have to say that either you are not looking or don't care. It may not be happening in the seat next to you... but it's happening around you if you are paying attention.

As for the people who say it's just part of the deal and there is nothing we can do about. Yes, it has become an everyday reality... but it doesn't mean we have to accept it and tolerate it. We don't have to physically fight back to stop it. If everyone who had an issue sent a well written letter to the Ravens I bet they would address the situation. For those of you who are willing to "deal" with it... just imagine that that is your son doing it. How tolerable is it now?

I was at the Os game Thursday night against Boston and one thing I noticed about the ushers that was very different from Raven users was the age, demeanor, and professionalism. The Ravens actually have more ushers per section, but they don't pay attention to the section, they are only there to police/restrict entrance into the lower level. If they just place ONE usher roaming each section with a walkie-talkie line direct to Security, the majority of the problem would be solved.

I agree that the games are not a place to take a 6 year old. It's a shame... and I tried. But I see a lot of 6 year olds there... and if they are there then it needs to be a place that is appropriate for them. They are the future fans, this is were they will learn to be fans.

It's also contextual...you know? How many young adults of "drinking age" actually go to see the O's play? Not many because the O's have stunk for years now. If the O's win the World Series this year then I'm sure you'll start seeing fans of that ilk roaming Camden Yards at O's games. Especially against those damn Yankees or Red Sox.

Plus, football is naturally going to entice more aggressive nature and machismo.

[BcRaven]

Ok. You don't know what the rest of us are talking about.
edit: And you were so sure of yourself! Very amusing.

WOW, I did go off on a bit of a tangent. Sorry 'bout that, my apologies... Bc