Operation crowd control

<a href=www.dailyherald.com>Suburban Chicago Daily Herald By Scot Gregor Daily Herald Sports Writer Posted April 17, 2003

There was security meeting after security meeting after security meeting Wednesday at U.S. Cellular Field.

While the White Sox and Major League Baseball came up with some potential solutions to stop the increasing number of fans from running onto the playing field and attacking players, coaches and umpires, nothing is guaranteed.

Well, almost nothing.

In his native Venezuela, Sox right fielder Magglio Ordonez said there is very effective crowd control.

"They have police at the games with machine guns,'' Ordonez said. "And they have dogs in the bullpen. Pit bulls, Rottweilers, German shepherds. All kinds.''

One night after first-base umpire Laz Diaz was attacked by a fan who jumped over the railing, identified as 24-year-old Eric Dybas of Bolingbrook, the White Sox announced several changes in their stadium security policy.

Last Sept. 19, a father and son ran onto the field at Comiskey Park and assaulted Royals first-base coach Tom Gamboa.

"To have to deal with this yet again is really a black mark on the city and, frankly, the organization,'' said Sox general manager Kenny Williams. "For it to happen twice in our city is unconscionable.''

Beginning with Wednesday night's game against Kansas City, the White Sox added two security guards to each foul line, instructed ushers to check ticket stubs more frequently, and aired a video message from first baseman Paul Konerko urging proper conduct.

The Sox also are talking to local public officials about increasing the fines and jail terms for individuals who enter the playing field. The White Sox said they are making some additional covert changes in security.

"They'll be more effective from an operations standpoint if we keep them to ourselves,'' Williams said.

Three other patrons also ran on the field in Tuesday night's game. And, like Dybas, alcohol appeared to play a major role.

While the White Sox announced no changes in alcohol sales - they serve beer and other beverages until the top of the eighth inning - Major League Baseball is aware that problems exist.

"Alcohol management is something we take very, very seriously,'' said MLB security director Kevin Hallinan, who along with operations director Sandy Alderson met Wednesday with the White Sox and the Royals.

Said Alderson: "If you look at (Tuesday) night, I don't think it's a coincidence that these events took place late in the game.''

But after all the meetings ended, potential problems still exist.

"Hopefully, we can solve this and look at these two cases as aberrations,'' Williams said. "But it is what it is. The feeling I had in the pit of my stomach (Tuesday) night, it was disbelief along with embarrassment for the city as well as the organization.''

Before reaching Diaz, Dybas jumped over the railing on the right-field line where a security guard was stationed.

"(The guard) was looking left for one split second, and that's when the young man decided to jump on the field and attack the umpire,'' Williams said. "I don't know if you can do better than that unless you put snipers on the roof. And we don't want to do that.''

White Sox relief pitcher Kelly Wunsch agrees with Williams.

"It's a baseball game; it's not a communist state,'' Wunsch said. "I've played in Venezuela over the winter, and they have guard dogs and security guys with machetes. It's ridiculous. It didn't even feel like baseball. Who wants to take their kids to a place where they have guard dogs all over the place?''

The White Sox are scheduled to host the All-Star Game on July 25, and Twins first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz said the event should be moved due to safety concerns.

"That (ticks) me off,'' Wunsch said. "But everyone's entitled to their opinions, however stupid they may be. He sees a clip on SportsCenter and says we shouldn't get the All-Star Game.

"Come on, dude. Get real. I know you don't like the White Sox, but mind your own business.''

Alderson said the Mid-Summer Classic is still coming to U.S. Cellular Field.

"The All-Star Game will be played in Chicago,'' he said. "It will be played in a safe environment for players, coaches, umpires and fans, and it will be a great event.

"Given the fact it has happened twice here, are we concerned? Yes, as we have discussed with the White Sox.

"But sometimes preparation and execution can't eliminate these kinds of incidents. We are going to go cross the board throughout baseball to reduce the number, if not eliminate them.''