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The fall guy
Some fans really go for ballpark promotions. Unfortunately, a few even fall for them. A spectator at a recent CFL game in Edmonton plummeted 30 feet from the stadium’s upper deck while trying to snag a toy football heaved into the stands by team officials after the Eskimos scored.
Spectators said the 43-year-old man, who landed on a pregnant woman, was reaching out with a hat trying to scoop up the ball when he flipped over a railing. He underwent surgery for head, back and neck injuries. Amazingly, the woman was not hurt seriously.
Speaking of gimmicks …
… the Eskimos have nothing on their CFL rivals from Memphis. The Mad Dogs have employed a 4-year-old black Labrador named Alien. The dog has quickly become a fan favorite, racing onto the field after each kickoff to retrieve the kicking tee.
“It was a shocker that this was such a big deal,” said Alien’s owner, Pam Ireland of Memphis. “Everybody wants to touch him or see him.”
Alien can handle the pressure. He has spent much of his life as a show dog, winning several best of breed shows and finishing second in the National Specialty labrador show.
The dog’s fame has perked ears in the canine community. Alien even received a fax out of Toronto from a dog calling himself Tag, inquiring about the trees, fire hydrants and cats in Memphis. Tag also asked if Alien had considered burying the opposition’s tee in the end zone.
Looks like Tag hasn’t been exposed to astro-turf.
You’re outta here!
What started as an argument over a foul ball between a minor-league manager and umpire culminated with the ejection of PA announcer Dave Andrews.
Mel Chettum had just tossed Abilene manager Charley Kerfeld in an argument over a foul call. He took offense when Andrews chose that moment to go on the PA system and thank an eyeglass manufacturer for sunglasses that had been handed out to fans.
Texas-Louisiana League officials called Tuesday’s fiasco a case of bad timing: Andrews’ plug for the eyeglass maker capped a beef in which the Prairie Dogs manager shook his specs at the home-plate ump.
“It was totally innocent, but the umps didn’t think it was that funny,” explained Bruce Unrue, the team’s PR man. “Of course the crowd thought that was hilarious.”
Andrews left to a standing ovation.
No respect
The Blue Jays may be two-time defending World Series champs, but the Toronto Sun found that fans had no mercy when they asked their readers to complete this sentence: “The Blue Jays are so bad that…”
The winner: “… Mitch Williams is sending US death threats.” The runner-up: “…they’d have an easier time scoring at the SkyDome Hotel.”
The winner won two tickets to a Toronto game. The runner-up got a pair of tickets to two games. Really.
The last word …
“The Yankees’ feeling is that this is going to bring a lot of people out to the park. And I’m thinking - like attorneys, IRS agents, parole officers, dealers; just pack the place.”
- Late Show host David Letterman, on the signing of Darryl Strawberry
, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo