TORONTO – Stadium officials are defending the sale of canned beer after an infant was hit by spray from a thrown tallboy at the Rogers Centre during Game 5 of the American League Division Series (ALDS) Wednesday night.
Police have charged Albert Grummitt, 33, with mischief after he allegedly tossed a can of beer during the 7th inning, causing spray from the can to hit an infant and her mother in the front row of the Rogers Centre.
In wake of the incident, stadium officials said they may review the sale of beer in cans as opposed to cups.
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Fans tossed beer cans and other debris onto the field after a controversial call in the seventh inning that gave the Texas Rangers a short-lived lead.
Police said that although the majority of fans did behave themselves, several had to be escorted out of the stadium.
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“We actually had people in the stands assisting Rogers security and pointing out to people doing things,” said Toronto Police Sergeant Wendy Drummond. “There were several others who were ejected from the centre.”
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Coutinho said the Rogers Centre will not be adding additional security for Game 3 of the American League Championship Series.
“It is just going to be reviewing the overall integrity plan of the field and how to respond to these situations,” Coutinho said.
Coutinho said there were 93 police officers and about 150 security guards at Wednesday night’s game, however, additional reinforcements were requested.
Blue Jays players themselves were also urging fans to calm down.
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Police Insp. Chris Boddy says officers will be keeping an eye on fans as they pack into bars and other venues to watch the Jays take on the Royals in Kansas City on Friday in the first American League Championship Series game.
“It’s unfortunate that it had to come to that,” Boddy said. “But I don’t expect that we’re going to have any issues like that again throughout the series – that was a one-time incident in our opinion – but we’re going to be there just the same making sure everybody’s safe.”
–with files from The Canadian Press
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