Posted on 05/29/2009 4:59:20 AM PDT by Puppage
A Texas Rangers fan who wore a "Yankees Suck" shirt to Tuesday's game against New York was told by a security guard to change it -- or she would be kicked out.
"He came down and said, You have to change that shirt, said Kristen Knapp-Webb, of Carrollton. I said, 'But it's not profane. Why do I have to change my shirt?' He said, 'The Texas Rangers organization considers that shirt to be profane.'"
The Rangers implemented a code of conduct for fans several years ago after some people complained they were offended by shirts such as hers, a team spokesman said.
"That particular phrase is one weve received a lot of complaints about," said Rangers spokesman John Blake. "That kind of thing is offensive to a lot of people, especially if you have young children and that kind of thing. And I think that's why we have that policy."
Knapp-Webb and her husband, Walter, said they consider themselves loyal Rangers fans. They even named their dog "Ranger."
They had gone to the game Tuesday to celebrate their 19th wedding anniversary. He wore a Texas Rangers jersey, and she wore the "Yankees Suck" shirt her husband gave her for an anniversary gift.
No other fans seemed offended by her shirt and, in fact, many laughed, she said.
"It's funny," she said. "It's the thing fans do to each other to razz them, to make them laugh (and) have a good time."
But before the rain-delayed game started, she said, a security guard told her she had to turn the shirt inside out, change it or leave the ballpark.
"I understand it's private property," Knapp-Webb said. "But they can't not offend every person who walks in that door. It's not possible."
Under protest, she went to a restroom and turned the shirt inside out. She and her husband decided to leave a short time later, before the game started.
She said she hopes the Rangers clarify their policy.
"I think 'profanity' needs a definition, and I don't think 'sucks' is included," Knapp-Webb said.
The Rangers Code of Conduct states, "Any person wearing clothing with language
that may be offensive to another guest may be denied entry into the stadium, or ejected from the stadium without refund."
And I'm a born Yankee (A.L. team) hater.
Well, with a leader as thin-skinned as Obama... this is to be expected, no?
Good grief, you can’t even tell the truth anymore. The Yankees really do suck! Even thought they drilled the Rangers 11-1 and 9-3 in two of those games. ;^)
Happiness is Gay-Rod on the disabled list.
Oh please. Get over it (and yourself).
I know of a good old dive bar. The owner has a dress code, of sorts. Hells Angels yes, flat brimed NBA hats and court cloths no.
Fine with me.
Well then I’m not too happy right now because he lit up Texas pitching during the aforementioned series.
If you honestly believe that, why would you repeat it?
That thought crossed my mind as well.
No truer statement was ever made.
A dress code in downtown KC’s new bar/restaurant district has drawn the ire of the local “hey hey ho ho” crowd.
They have a list on non-allowed clothing, and I’d just sum it up as “gang wear”. But of course, the banning of such things is “racist”.
I’ve been wondering -
where would a Kansan fit on your “yankee” scale?
Or is “yankee” more of an attitude and mindset than a location?
She needs a new shirt to make it less offensive.
Yankees perform falacio?
Yankees breath in real hard?
Yankees are gay?
They probably would have been ok with the sign if “and AROD SWALLOWS” was added to it.
Too much vulgarity at baseball games....
Nothing like painting a whole group. Your not too biased are you.
If you live in a majority liberal state north of the mason-dixon you live in Yankee land. Yankees are holier than though and are the breeding ground for the RINO.
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.