They have names like the Brew Jays, the Barley Bandits, the Half Pints and the Brutal Boozers.
But starting this season, local recreational sports teams could be in for trouble if they try to live up to those tipsy monikers by indulging during the game.
In a move that is not sitting well with some slo-pitch ball players, the city is cracking down on boozing at municipally owned athletic fields as they expand enforcement on long-standing provincial laws that forbid drinking in public places.
This year will begin with warnings, followed by enforcement. But by 2012, teams, and even leagues, could be stripped of their booked times with no compensation for a first-time violation of the zero-tolerance policy.
“I don’t like it at all,” said Dave Carruthers, out Thursday evening playing slo-pitch with his team, The Dinks.
“I don’t know that beer needs to the treated like it’s a banned, illegal substance. I don’t see a problem with having a couple beers in an environment like this.”
The new policy is already having an impact. Out at Optimist Athletic Park in southwest Calgary, there was no beer at The Dinks’ bench, to the chagrin of some players.
The effort is not targeting one sport in particular, a city spokesman said, and comes after staff at some athletic parks report a growing problem last year with alcohol-related bad-behavior.
Last month, a letter was sent out to all users of city-owned athletic parks. Starting this year, a three-strike alcohol rule will be implemented when “inappropriate behavior” is brought to the city’s attention, according to spokeswoman Sheila Rougeau.
The first two strikes involve warnings, with the third leading to a violation.
By 2012, there will be zero tolerance for public drinking at sports fields. If there are complaints the rules are being violated, the team will lose all booked permit times at the sport park.
The league in which they play could also be on the losing end. They have the option of kicking the team out of the league, or themselves forfeiting scheduled times.
Rougeau said the effort expands the zero-tolerance policy from city-owned arenas to athletic fields and does not target one sport in particular.
While most Calgarians are well-behaved, she said staff at some sports parks reported increasing amount of alcohol-related bad behaviour last year.
“Understandably, public opinion is divided. We respect that,” Rougeau said Thursday. “But for us, it’s not a matter of whether this is right or whether this is wrong.
“For us, the heart of the matter is about providing safe and fun environments for all Calgarians.”
The enforcement will be up to the administration of the athletic park, according to the policy. Rougeau added that rumours the city will be placing spies at games are not true.
Still, some players say the new policy is overkill.
Jeff Nuell plays on six different slo-pitch teams and said in his 10 years stepping to up the plate, he’s only seen one significant incident involving alcohol – when a player pushed a teammate.
The players on his team have one or two beers, and some none at all. This move by the city will simply prompt them to hide their booze, Nuell said.
“I was just kind of shocked that they want to all of a sudden start doing this,” he said.
One local umbrella organization representing roughly 350 slo-pitch teams said they’ve set up sponsorships with some local bars to encourage players to save their drinking for after the game.
“We definitely don’t encourage teams to bring their alcohol (to games),” said Dave Owens, marketing manager with the Calgary Sports and Social Club.
Calgary Herald
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