I've held off on this post waiting to see if there would be some comment from the front office, but doesn't look like one is coming. Saturday against Seattle, something was up with the Wizards front office staff in response to the Cauldron.
As had become a regular occurrence, the team brought down streamers to be thrown during allowed times during games. And like what always happens when streamers are handed out, some were thrown at times that were not appropriate. Unlike previous games when that's happened and verbal warnings have been given, those fans were immediately pointed out by Wizards staff and security and thrown out of the stadium. Instead of just calmly walking up to the person and telling them to stop, a menacing finger was pointed at people by 3-4 people in front of the section and people were escorted out. With that happening, it only led to more streamers being thrown in defiance of the Wizards staffers in front of the section. I spoke with one of the head security guys at half time from the top of the section. He told me he'd gotten tired of what the Wizards staff was doing. Post game I found out that security had pulled his people out of the front of the section because of what staffers were doing.
So what led to the hard line stance by the Wizards staff? The rumor going around is that someone from league headquarters was at the game apparently observing the Wizards' game day operations. In all honesty, I don't have a problem with the hard line stance. My problem was their lack of communication with the section AFTER what they'd been allowing all season up to that point. As I stated, up to that point, streamers thrown onto the field had gotten people a stern talking to, and on a few occasions, kicked out, but it'd never been as bad as this. A 5 minute conversation with one of the leaders of the section, giving them a heads up could probably have avoided the majority of the problems that came from the game. In the end, it all amounts to a lack of communication.
At best throwing streamers is an annoyance for players and at worst it interferes and delays the game. I've long hated seeing fans throw them while watching games on tv but I never knew the team actually handed them out! Talk about morons, they are simply asking for it and should know better. Fans, cheer for your team but don't interrupt the game. You make yourself look foolish and draw the ire of fans and players alike.
ReplyDeleteAnon, this isn't about the fucking streamers. It's about the team's lack of professionalism, specifically by Mr. Wyche. It's also about a lack of communication between the team and leadership of the section.
ReplyDeleteWow, in less than 2 months 2 FO screw ups. First closing off 2/3s of the berm, no heads up; now "streamer-gate / asshole overreaction".
ReplyDeleteWhat the hell is up with the FO? Where is Sam trying to explain this one with the "we do so much for the STHs"?
It seemed to me that the security guys didn't start being assholes until one of the rolls thrown on the field appeared to hit Keller, when that happened it seemed that all hell broke loose. Am I wrong that the shenanigans didn't start until Keller was hit?
ReplyDeleteIt started with the first streamer thrown. And the only real dick in security was the old guy in purple down front who was being as much an asshole as Wyche was.
ReplyDeleteLooks like they have sent an email around now. I missed this game, but came to your blog after receiving the email and not knowing what the incident was. If you didn't get it, I'd be happy to post it (but I suspect you got it too).
ReplyDeleteI'm sure he got it, but that letter does little. All it does is make mention of the incidents and that they'll work to make things better. No reason behind the immediately expulsions of Cauldron STH. No apology that a member of the Wizards staff lost control of his emotions in the moment, none of that, I'm disappointed in the letter. It's attempt to sweep the issue under the rug. I hope Mike doesn't let them do that.
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