Fan Falls at Turner Field

Written by Rue on May 21, 2008 – 11:41 pm

Fan Dies In Fall From Upper Level Of Turner Field

Amidst the excitement of a major victory over the Mets tonight, please take a moment to pass a prayer along for a fan who fell three to four stories at Turner Field while exiting the stadium in the eigth inning of the game. Apparently, while attempting to slide down the railing from the upper deck, a fan lost his balance, fell over the railing, and onto the concrete at least 50 (or more) feet below.  According to an insider, the scene was “surreal” and the victim was being rushed to the ER with little hope of survival. Rumors are that the fan was intoxicated, but we cannot confirm this. There is no official police report yet, nor news on the victim’s condition. However, please take a moment to keep this fan in your prayers and hope for this best in this very dismal ending to a seemingly fantastic night.

UPDATE: The AJC is reporting that the 25-year-old fan has been taken to Grady with serious head trauma.  He is in critical condition.

UPDATE: SI.com and 11alive.com, as well as a few other sources, are reporting the fall distance to be around 150 feet.  I don’t know how accurate that is but I just want to keep up-to-date with the information out there.

UPDATE: The fan, 25-year-old Justin Hayes of Cumming, has died from the injuries suffered in the fall. Please keep his family in your prayers.

Tags: Fall, Fan, Turner Field
Posted in General |

Home Opener Thoughts

Written by Smitty on April 1, 2008 – 11:16 am

I’m not trying to manufacture drama here, but I do need to say, last night reminded me even more why baseball is still America’s pastime passion and why the game is important.  Sure, the Braves lost, but that’s not the point.

What did I love about last night?

The feeling of walking up into Monument Grove at 4:30, hours before the game started and seeing the crowd of Braves fan. Looking at those statues of Aaron, Spahn, and Niekro…it felt like…history.  Looking at the Phil Niekro statue. Knowing that, like his fellow Grove-mate, Warren Spahn, he’s not going to be with us forever.

The smell of the ballpark food.

Batting practice. Where any slob (myself included) can, for a moment, be a big league outfielder.

The Braves showing the ultimate salute to one of their own. Asking Javy Lopez to throw out the first pitch. You gave us your best years, Javy. And, most recently, you gave us everything you had. Yeah, it wasn’t enough, but we love you for the effort.

And catching Javy’s pitch? In a beautiful and timeless role-reversal: One John Smoltz.

Tom Glavine. Not only was he wholeheartedly cheered when announced in the roster, but at his first pitch, the stadium stood and screamed encouragement and approval.

But how about the game itself?

Read more »

Tags: Home Opener, Javy Lopez, Mark Kotsay, Monument Grove, Pittsburgh Pirates, Tom Glavine, Turner Field, Yunel Escobar
Posted in General |