Most teams only break out "God Bless America" during the seventh-inning stretch on Sundays and holidays, but I can understand why the Yankees still play it every game -- if nothing else, it's a lasting tribute to those who died during 9/11. But still, it does seem a bit extreme that those attending the game are literally chained to their seats when the song is being played. From the New York Times:Seconds before "The Star-Spangled Banner" and "God Bless America" are played, police officers, security guards and ushers turn their backs to the American flag in center field, stare at fans moving through the stands and ask them to stop. Across the stadium's lower section, ushers stand every 20 feet to block the main aisle with chains.Why do they do this? Because the team wants to ensure you are paying the proper amount of respect they deem necessary to our fine country, of course:
Howard J. Rubenstein, the spokesman for the Yankees' principal owner, George Steinbrenner, said the policy was an expression of patriotism.You know what? Let the fans complain. It's a free country, and if someone wants to celebrate that fact by taking a trip to grab another beer or use the men's room during the stoppage of play, I have no problem with it -- it's better than waiting and being forced to miss part of the game. In fact, after reading this, I hope fans start testing the authority of these ushers, stepping over the chains to go about their business. It's just a baseball game, not Guantanamo Bay.
"Mr. Steinbrenner wanted to do all games to remind the fans about how important it is to honor our nation, our service members, those that died on Sept. 11 and those fighting for our nation," Rubenstein said in a telephone interview.
... Lonn A. Trost, the team's chief operating officer, said fans sent the Yankees' front office hundreds of e-mail messages and letters and made phone calls to complain about how other fans were not paying respect.
"The fans were telling us it was a disgrace that when the song was being sung people were not observing it with a moment of silence," Trost said.
(via Ballbug)
Comments (Page 1 of 1)
It is only a baseball game, and if the owners and players, and home town fans want to honor our country with God Bless America, then let them!! It's a free country for them, too!! If people don't know the policy yet, then they aren't paying attention. And if they do know the policy and chose to buy tickets, then they should adhere to the policy. God Bless America!!!!
I'm with ya, Matt. An Act of Civil Disobedience is in order.
Celebrating freedom by being chained down is very Orwellian.
I do not believe that this is taking place. I have been at the Stadium twice this year and several times last year and have never found this to occur. No one should force another to listen to or be compelled to listen to any national or
political statements - period. All this being said, The American's Creed is what everyone in this country should observer:
I believe in the United States of America, as a Government of the People, By the People, For the People; Whose just powers are derived from the Consent of the Governed; A Democracy in a Republic, A Sovereign Nation of Sovereign States; A Perfect Union, One and Inseparable; Established upon those Principles of Freedom, Equality, Justice, and Humanity; For which American Patriots have Always given their Lives and Fortunes; I therefore Believe it my duty to our Courtry; to Obey its' Laws, Respect its' Flag; And to Defend it against all Enemies. It is quite simple! Standing is not a imposition, but an honor!!
This isn't remotely true. I attend anywhere between 30-40 Yankees games a year and while they do play that during every game, no one if forced to do anything -- and the police and ushers do not sit and guilt the fans into staying in their seats.
Considering that Herr steinbrenner is a diehard republican (illegal contributions to Nixon), can't help but wonder what a Red Sox fan like me who refuses to stand for the anthem as long as Bush is in office.
Would the ushers and cops beat the shit out of me for just sitting?
Wasn't Yankee Stadium built with taxpayer money???
Considering that Herr Steinbrenner is a diehard republican (illegal contributions to Nixon), can't help but wonder what a Red Sox fan like me who refuses to stand for the anthem as long as Bush is in
office.
Would the ushers and cops beat the shit out of me for just sitting?
Wasn't Yankee Stadium built with taxpayer money???
ANYBODY THAT DOES NOT WANT TO HEAR OR WAIT FOR OUR COUNTRYS SONG TO BE OVER BEFORE THEY RUSH OFF TO GET A BEER OR A HOTDOG SHOULD MOVE TO ANOTHER COUNTRY AND IN A MONTH I BET THEY WILL LOVE TO HEAR OUR GREAT COUNTRYS SONG!!!!
Well Scott your a Redsox fan, which makes you the enemy since I am a yankee fan but I 100% agree with Bush being the worst president ever.
For those Red Sox fans in Boston who don't like this policy, just stay home! It's no wonder that your state is refered to as "The People's Republic of Massachusetts"! By the way, I am a Sox fan and Yankee hater, but they got it right this time. If you do choose to attend these games, I have a compromise...bring a walkman,and when the patriotic music starts start playing the Cuban National Anthem on your head set.
today me and my husband went to yankee stadium and was ejected for not smoking security was very disrespectful and the press was even worst how can i get my money back and issue a complaint a very dissapointed fan