Since the Cheer Club began operations in earnest this month, we have had a lot of reports of SkyDome "security" personnel acting to repress cheering for the Blue Jays.
In the late 1990s, I personally (along with the people I was attending with) was given instructions several times by ushers to be quiet or face ejection, in response to perfectly clean cheering. I had been under the impression that this was changing; that the team was fully behind the idea of the fans trying to make noise to support the team. I am convinced now that this is no longer the case.
This has to stop, and it has to stop now. A lot of people appear to be prepared to inject some atmosphere into the dead Dome (where crowds three times the size of those in Montreal struggle to cheer half as loud) but security are apparently trying to clamp down on the cheering. We have seen specific pleas from the players for the fans to get noisy and show their support, and lots of fans are trying to respond. At this stage, though, it looks like SkyDome security are battling this as hard as they can.
I know it's a lot to ask, but I would like every one of us to post specific comments on instances they have seen or been involved in, over this season and last season, where stadium personnel have tried to silence the fans. (Feel free to cut and paste from other threads). Whether it be the removal of the O-Drum to the 500 level, or what have you, as much detail as possible would be appreciated. My aim is to compile all this information and bring it to the attention of the team, of SkyDome management, and of the media.
WE DESERVE BETTER!
https://www.battersbox.ca/article.php?story=20040517085602999