Blue Jays Ban Beer

As reported in Morning Brew, beer will no longer be available in the $2 Tuesday sections of the Rogers Centre, a move meant to stop repeated fighting at Blue Jays games this year. Fights broke out on both opening day and the first game under the $2 Tuesday promotion, each leading to about 100 fan ejections from the stadium.

Except, over 21,000 extra fans attended opening day, so the fact that a crowd about half the size produced just as many ejections on Tuesday alarmed Blue Jays officials. Now, the outfield sections of the 200 Level and the entire 500 Level will be dry during the $2 Tuesday games May 6, 20 and June 10.

With videos appearing on YouTube, Blue Jays president and CEO Paul Godfrey decided to act fast. "It's really unfortunate that some [fans] feel that this is a nightclub," he says, "It's not a nightclub. It's a sport venue."

Apparent misconceptions about nightclubs aside, Godfrey's move is meant to attract fans who might ordinarily stay away from the beer-swilling crowds. It's not immediately clear if revenues from the non-drinkers will match those of the beer drinkers.

The move is not unprecedented in Major League Baseball. Many teams have dry "family sections," including the Jays. In some cases, the move is also meant to prevent fighting fans, such as at Yankee Stadium, where all outfield bleacher seats are dry (and traditionally rowdy).

Although $2 Tuesdays will probably become more civilized, increased security at the gate is meant to reduce fights at all games. In particular, Blue Jays security is looking closely for alcohol fans try to bring in with them.

But if you are like me, who liked having a couple beers (responsibly) while only dropping a Toonie for a ticket, well, tough luck. Once again, a few idiots ruin it for everybody.

Photo by blogTO flickr pooler sjgardiner.