Should beer be allowed at the softball league?

their are way to many miss goodietooshoes in this city> you people think that you will change course of everything you are all dead wrong, these ball players are doing nothing wrong, get over it and let people have fun. pass the rules and let the people that do no harm have a little fun and those that say no can go to drink lemonade at someone elses house

Sure. Why not. Its tradition. No problems that i've seen in the past years that I moved to Columbus. If you outlaw canned beer at Gerrard then you either see less people their or you will start to see more flasks with hard liqueurs in them.

YES! This is not a youth leauge, its adults! Allow it and lets move on! My guess is there is NO PEM member that plays out there and therefore has NO CLUE how responsible people can be while having a few beers!

If the folks that oppose this would come out to Gerrad and just see what a normal nite of softball exists of they may change their minds. I have been playing at gerrad for many years and yet all I see when I play is respect for the privalge of alcohol. There are no adults out of control and knowing this issue arises every year the underage participants are watched even more closley then they are in other areas of the city. I feel this enviroment shows youg adults that you can control your alcohol and that alcohol does not control you.

If you are worried about your 'children' being affected by the beer at these games, don't let them go to the park when these games are being played.

Let the adults be adults.

Yes, it should be allowed. Project Extra Mile's arguments ring hollow when you consider that the softball league has been allowed to have canned beer in the park for quite some time now without any problems. This isn't about "setting an example", as the alco-nazis want everyone to think, but rather about forcing their close-minded agenda on everyone else. I hope this issue goes back on the park board's agenda and the members who were missing at the last vote to override this ban.

people who want to drink it will drink it in their cars, on the way there, or hide it and sneak it. Get over it, let them have a fun time. If it gets out of hand or there are problems, THEN you have reason(s) to consider not approving it next year. Too much what if's in the logic being referenced (not used in my opinion).

Yes it's a no brain er !!!!!!!!! Unless you don't want people to show up to watch & play then just turn it into a regular park.

OK is this town full of alcoholics? Are you seeing the message your are sending? By allowing alcohol in to a park...yes it is called Gerrard PARK not Gerrard baseball fields, Gerrard Softball Complex, but Gerrard PARK! A park is known as a place where youth come to have fun by playing on equipment and other youthful activities. For those who still don't understand according to dictionary.com the definition is: an area of land, usually in a largely natural state, for the enjoyment of the public, having facilities for rest and recreation, often owned, set apart, and managed by a city, state, or nation. Parks are meant as a safe place for youth to have fun. By bringing alcohol in the picture it is changing that atmosphere. No where in that definition does it say the consumption of alcohol defines a park. Sure if you're of age and you want to drink, fine then do that at your house. But, little kids want to be "grown-up" and want to do what older people do by imitating their every actions. These young kids seeing alcohol being consumed get ideas, and false impressions of what is right and wrong. Have more pride in the town of Columbus then promoting the idea of needing to have alcohol in our parks. Sure there has not been any major accidents that have occurred lately because of alcohol but no one can predict the future and if you are willing to put on more person out on the road that has alcohol in their bloodstream be my guest Columbus, but you'll regret it when it is your son/daughter/mom/dad/boyfriend/girlfriend/neighbors funeral that you have to attend! I applaud Project Extra Mile and their efforts to make Columbus a better place to live! Keep it up teens you are the future!

WHAT IS THE PROBLEM? DO YOU PLAY BALL OR GO TO WATCH THE BALL TO HAVE FUN,OOOOOOOOOOOR, DO YOU PLAY OR GO TO DRINK TO HAVE FUN. I KNOW FOR A FACT THAT I CAN HAVE FUN WATCHING A BALL GAME DRINKING A SODA. YOU DO NOT HAVE TO DRINK TO HAVE FUN. COMMON SENSE IS RIGHT. THERE ARE TOO MANY ALCOHOLICS AND YOUNG PEOPLE BEING KILLED IN CAR ACCIDENTS WITH ALCOHOL INVOLVED.

It is a good deal that the "YOUTH" are not allowed in the "PARK for a good outing of golf. If we are going to use the term "PARK" then abolish drinking their and see what happens, who golfs and who pays the bills, who sneeks in a beer and so on. Get a clue you goodietooshoes, its going to happen,lets all pay attention to the surroundings of who is around and take care of the abusers, Their are NO problems that I am aware of at Gerard Park and No issues at the golf courses, and drinking "IS" allowed.

Why can't people enjoy family fun without drinking? As they drink they get loud and usually embarrass themselves and the family. We wonder why there is a drinking problem in our teens. That is what adults feel is most important.

CommonSense, since when does five softball fields and six tennis courts equate to a "largely natural state" as a PARK is defined as?
The softball facility is not managed by any govermental body since 1983 when the operation and management of the PARK ie, softball complex, was turned over to the CSA. Also the fields are not open to public use during the softball season, they are researved for teams taht are members of the CSA. Get a clue before you spew.

Just remember if you allow drinking there than you are also saying it is OK to drink and drive because they will get in their cars and drive home!!!

Wow what a brilliant and logical argument by Common Sense! If you don't agree you are an alcoholic and you have no pride in your town. For your information many parks contain ball fields on which the games of baseball and softball are played. Allowing the leagues to have canned beer there has never caused a problem and I apparently have more faith in our young people than you do because I don't think they're so stupid that they're going to imitate everything they see grownups doing, like drinking beer. Underage drinking isn't caused by young people seeing adults acting responsible, and the problem of underage drinking that people like you are wringing your hands over is not going to be magically solved or even reduced by banning beer consumption by softball or baseball players. I don't applaud Project Extra Mile because they aren't interested in making Columbus a better place to live. They're just interested in grandstanding and brainwashing naive people like you.

I believe it is an acceptable place for alcohol to be, just because it is there does not mean that you HAVE to drink. I grew up at that softball field, from watching my parents play there to playing there myself and just because the alcohol was there did not make me want to have any. It was my choice because my parents raised me to be responsible. Just because you see other people driving without seatbelts does not make me want to do that either! Just because something is there does not mean that they will also do that or abuse it if they were raised properly!

Common Sense, take your kids to Pawnee Park where alcohol is banned, I see very few people in the park, therefore the kids will have any playground equipment they so desire to play on, and then you avoid the "alcoholics" and get to spend time with your PEM friends and enjoy the beauty of a "PARK".

I have spent many nights at Gerrard and have really never seen any issues with alcohol so whether it's there or not really doesn't affect me. However, the fact that so many teams WON"T play because now they can't drink really says something about Columbus.

Why is it that all who are against it make it sound like the ones who are for it are going to get trashed at this ball field. I don't see where a drink or two is really getting sloshed. And for the comment about saying yes to letting them drink a beer while playing baseball is like saying its ok to drink and drive is crazy because you can take that comment and apply it anywhere alcohol is served ex. restaurants, horse races, weddings, church bazars, county fairs, AG park on the fourth of July the list goes on and on. On that note I just wanted to say that it makes no difference to me if they ok it or not. Cheers!!

I dont understand why people in this town cant have fun without alcohol. if you are thirsty drink water...its better for you. i have fun without it. people should drink in the privacy of thier own homes and quit ruining the days of people who dont drink. they passed a smoking law...where is the alcohol law?

I can not believe that people in Columbus are so ignorant. Do they really think that banning beer from parks is going to affect MIP's? Do they think that suddenly there will be no DUI's? Why do you think memberships in the CSA have gone down so quickly ever since they have banned beer in the first place? Teams play to play and they drink whatever they feel like while doing it. Who are we to say that they can't drink alcohol even while they are of age? Why can people drink on public golf courses, you see kids out there to.

Answer some of those questions and maybe Ill change my mind.

Alright, come on now. I played Softball for 10 years, from 1988-1998 and alcohol was never an issue, it was simply allowed, and never was there a problem. On the other hand, it is sad that there are fewer teams playing because alcohol is not allowed. I didn't play softball to drink beer, but unfotunately many do. So let them drink!!!

Oh come on!! What about the drinking that goes on at the golf courses?? But wait- we can't touch the precious golf courses now can we?? I have used both Gerrard and all the city courses. Do you need alcohol to have a good time? Of course not? But after a long hard day at work it sure is nice to enjoy a few beers with your buddies playing a game of ball. In all the years I have played at Gerrard as both a minor and an adult, I have never, repeat, never seen any problems with the alcohol.
Good Luck Brian!!

i think it is great that the people who have never had a beer don't realize that you can have a few beers and get in your car and drive LEGALLY! yes it is true! and those prescription drugs you are on.. probably worse for you and driving than the one or two beers the ball players want to enjoy at the game! and most are responsible, if they have to many.. they have designated drivers! yes.. responsible! can you believe it? HOLY COW!

so if you don't want alcohol in "parks" then are you suggesting that the PEM will help pay for a new Baseball/Softball Complex in the city that does not have playground equipment ? wait.. that is why they put them there in the first place.. for the kids to play on while their parents or whomever are playing baseball/softball! have you ever seen a kid just sit for 4 hours and not get up at a baseball/softball game? NO! they are kids! they like to play!

what it comes down to is teaching and educating your OWN children about what is right or wrong. I don't want some group with a skewed mission to try to tell me how to live my life. I for one grew up in a bar basically.. i had family that owned it. and guess what! i was taught by my parents that alcohol was not for children or anyone under the age of 21. did i want to have a beer because i was around a bunch of adults who were drinking daily? no. i wanted my pop and candy! and i'm not a alcoholic either. i don't even drink much. i never smoked either! i would fall into the class of someone that has one or two beers cause i like the taste of it.. but i don't get wasted. i enjoy a beer while at a sporting event. along with a hot dog. i will have a beer at a church fundraiser. god must think it is ok right?

If PEM is sooo concerned with drunk driving..why not sponsor a decent taxi service that runs after 10pm? Come on, why haven't you thought of that or even brought that to the table instead of banning this and banning that...make a positive change and maybe you would get some respect!

I grew up in Schuyler and attended the softball games out at Excel when they used to have a ball park next to the plant. If you wanna talk some serious beer drinking, it absolutely happened there. There were always kids out there during the games. They of course, had soda. But I'm sure the Project Extra Mile cult would of had a conniption fit back then, just as they have them now. I personally see no problem with it. The Project Extra Mile cult needs to just shut the hell up and stick to their mission statement and focus on the youth, not adults and what they are doing.

The people that absolutely must drink at baseball games will find a way to drink. A couple years ago when there was the ban at Gerrard, I've known of several adults that have put beer into water jugs to take to the game and a few others who have made soda mixed with liquor. They might as well approve the license so that the city/CSA have a way to monitor those who drink. I personally would like to enjoy a few beers and drive home legally...under the legal limit.

What's wrong with beer and softball? These two go hand in hand and always have. This is one more exampe of government or a government entity trying to impose their will upon others. Where does it stop? Where do we as a socity draw the line? We live in America the land of the free and greatest country in the world.

Let's stop the madness and put the egos on the shelf!

Heck yes!!! Allow the beer. What is slow pitch softball without a few beers? That is why people started playing slow pitch was to relax, have fun and be able to play a sport. Jeez. How bout we stop having teen dances, youth football, kids baseball and just make everyone stay home and watch the news.

I have been playing ball at Gerard since I was 16yo on the adult teams and i never seen a problem with alcohol and minors there. The guys on the team no that they will be in lots of trouble with the league if a minor is caught with alcohol. The problem with kids drinking these days all goes back to parents. When they see parents these days going to bars and getting drunk every weekend. That is were the problem not on the ball field. Maybe these people should spend more time with their kids instead of going to the bars and getting drunk.

Also I see officers playing in most leagues so a person at the field would be pretty stupid to give a minor beer with them around

gerardlover brings up a point that isn't really being talked about. Has PEM or anyone else gone after the public golf courses in town to not let then serve beer? Children are allowed at these courses during time when beer is being sold, carried on golf carts, in golf bags and coolers and consumed on the course. Worse yet, some of the courses are run by the city of Columbus!! Our officials in this town need to stop being such hypocrites when it comes to these things. If it's not good for Gerrad Park and the Softball (Adult) leagues then how in the blue blazes can this be allowed on a city run golf course?? These people need to open their eyes and stop bending over to these groups. While I agree there is a time and place for such things, however they have already set a precedence by allowing this to go on at the golf courses!! Tough decision time, either approve this for the Adult softball league or it should be banned at all public golf courses where anyone under the legal drinking age is allowed!! Well, what's it gonna be????????????

Jamie, that's next.:)

Everyone talks about "kids these days" and "parenting these days". I'm only 24 years old, so I may not know exactly what I'm talking about. But we all brought this upon ourselves. Yes, 30-40-50 years ago there weren't as many teens getting into so called "trouble". At the same time, I've heard so many stories about both kids and adults getting pulled over drunk "back in the day" and the arresting officer giving everyone a ride home. Why wasn't "bad parenting" called to action then? Maybe it was because the kid would come home and get their a$$ kicked for doing something stupid. Or because arrests weren't being made and statistics weren't being compiled. Those same one's who punished there children and the kids "back then" were the same ones to bring about all of the child abuse laws that's almost taken it to the point where it's practically illegal to scold a child/teenager. I personally believe that a kid who does something stupid should get a good harsh punishment for it. No car, iPods, internet, or cell phones are what appear to be the harshest punishments that can now be given out. Really?!? Maybe parents will start to discipline their children if the rest of society will let them do so. I for one, received both types of treatment--the slap on the wrist don't do that again and the jackhammer. I definitely learned what types of shenanigans I should avoid at all costs. I could also bring up medias influence, but that's for another day. Anyways, I also watched my father drink at softball games growing up and it never made me more inclined to make the decisions I made. It was boredom and the same repetitive events in a boring town. LET THE SOFTBALL PLAYERS RELAX AND ENJOY THEMSELVES!!!!

...and from the look of things on all of these blog boards...this doesn't really look like an on-again off-again battle. It appears like a small percentage of tight a$$es that attempt to control the few pleasures of our small-town lives.

Don't drink the Project Extra Mile Cult's Kool-Aid, drink a Bud Light instead, because you are an adult, and have been deemed by law, responsible enough to handle the repercussions of the use of alcohol. The P.E.M. cults mission statement says they are focused on our youth... fine... so follow your mission statement and focus on the youth. Or is the P.E.M. cults mission statement really one that says..."In order to prevent our youth from drinking, we must prevent everyone from drinking". If the P.E.M. cult is so damn worried about alcohol at the park, then they can go above and beyond the call of duty and simply "police" the premises. I see no problem with that... But... noooo... that would probably require... what?... effort? It's better to play arm chair quarterback on the entire issue of teen drinking and scream about some law or ban that should be made to fix the problem... sounds a bit socialist to me, and I'm a damn Democrat.

But but we don't NEED alcohol. Won't there be incidents of road rage and drunken driving?

If the entire drinking population won't behave perfectly, then no one should be allowed to drink. It's just too risky!!!

Hypocrites.

Are you trying to hijack yet another discussion on drinking into one about concealed weapons Tim? It's all getting a little tedious.

Alcohol is not necessary at softball games. This should be a family atmosphere where children are taught sportsmanship and clean living. The drinking can wait until after the games in the local drinking establishments.

for those of you that dont play let me run the real deal of the story.most of the players bust there butts all week and that would include the night or nights we play if a person can;t have a beer or two after work and play agame of ball outside is no differ than all of you b.b.q.and haveing one in the back yard.look whos calling the kettle black.

To those who say "YOU DON'T NEED BEER TO PLAY" I say, yes, that is correct. But what IS needed, is an outlet, like ROCK said, these are people who have busted their butts all week working, and are just out to have some fun. Meaning, play a little ball, have a few ice cold beers with some associates, and just enjoy the day. That type of outlet leads to more productive workers, and even more retail business. How? Simple, you had a great time, your in a good mood. The mind set of people in that position, is to go out and entertain themselves more... maybe take the family out to dinner, maybe do some shopping...etc.. Sure you don't NEED alcohol, but holding back people from just enjoying themselves will prove worse then allowing those who want to drink to do so. Why this association that somehow if you drink a couple of beers you are now some type of alcoholic setting a bad example? I also agree with the hypocrisy about the golf course.. If it's not gonna be allowed in Gerrard, then someone better tell all the old money hanging out at the City owned golf club house to put away the beers... they don't NEED beer to golf either. Or is that different, because it's golf and not softball, and golf requires a 3 drink minimum to play? I see a huge hypocrisy here.

Alcohol may not be necessary at softball games, but that doesn't mean it shouldn't be there at all. Alcohol use and sportsmanship aren't mutually exclusive, and clean living....geez, give us a break! Stick to Sunday school and ice cream socials and let the softball players have their beer if they want it. It's not hurting you or setting a bad example for anyone else.

How about going after them skate boarders not wearing helmets at the skate park? This topic of beer at Gerrard came up last year at the city council. If I'm correct the council and the mayor agreed that project extra mile was going about this the wrong way. Boy a year later they still don't get it! As the council said maybe take all of this energy and target afterschool programs to get there message out about underage drinking. I think that is the most reasonable thing to do is to keep kids busy and involved, instead of trying to tell adults that they are not responsible enough to have a beer at the ballpark. What a waste of valuable time?

I drink maybe twice a year, New Year's Eve (if I don't work the next day) and the one wedding a year I'm invited to. I have absolutely no problem with ADULTS drinking at an ADULT softball game. If you want to take your children to a softball game and not have alcohol around, then take them to a YOUTH softball game. You can have all the family-oriented time that you want at those, with no alcohol. Did you notice that the only people who think that everyone is going to get sloshed if alcohol is allowed are the ones who oppose it. Like many others on here have said, they would like to enjoy a COUPLE OF BEERS, not an entire case, although there are some days that I would like to, but I don't because like most of the adults in Columbus, I'm responsible. I also grew up in a bar (my mom waitressed), and had a father who was a severe alcoholic. Guess what, I hardly ever drink and when I do it's only a couple of drinks and I don't smoke. Teach your kids responsibility. Keep track of them. Don't expect them to obey you if you don't get involved with all aspects of their life.

Drink Responsibly...that's all I really have to say. Social drinking is okay but getting drunk in front of your kids or anyone for that matter is pretty ridiculous...it lacks class and respect...

Nah, just trying to gouge those superior beings and all of their pessimistic predictions.

Btw, where did these prognosticators and their doom and gloom predictions of disaster go?

No, no hijack here. Just having a good belly laugh at the inconsistent positions of those who believe they know better than me.

If anyone want's to drink, then they should go to a BAR!!! If they can't handle not having a drink for an hour or too then they need to seek help.

Everybody does know better than you Tim. Besides being off topic I see you are arrgant too.

Try this for a big difference, Tim. CCW was NEVER allowed or acceptable in the state. You've been complaining and bellyaching about something you've never been allowed to do in the state to begin with. We're discussing a priveledge that has been revoked simply because someone doesn't like it.

You are the one who needs help-with your attitude. There's nothing wrong with drinking in the park and nobody should have to go to a bar just because you might be offended by it. If you don't like it, don't watch.

Goody, my tactics are working.

Gosh, Forum Sheriff wannabe, I thought the hypocrisy displayed by some of the responders here was readily apparent.

Some of these people were vehemently opposed to CCW, citing their fears that some permit holders might act irresponsibly.

And now I see them here, arguing for the use of alcohol at the park, apparently because they feel we should trust adults to be adults.

Which is it? Can we trust adults to be adults or not?

Sorry if you feel this is a hijack Forum Sheriff Wannabe, but the core issue once again, is public safety.

And besides, it's a damn good parallel and an excellent way to ridicule the elitists in the crowd. :)

Yeah, my posts probably are tedious to those who don't want to be reminded of their elitism/hypocrisy/inconsistency/projection, but in all honesty, is anyone forcing you to read any of what I post?

To Darrel: If alcohol was only meant to be consumed at bars, it wouldn't be sold at liquor stores, grocery stores, and SPORTS STADIUMS.

Hey, let it go Timmy,

You are aware that Columbus' law prohibiting CCW didn't go on the books until 1961, aren't you?

Concealed handguns have always been allowed under an "affirmative defense" type of law in the entire state.

Where oh where do you get your facts?

In 2007, there were 86 alcohol related fatalities on Nebraska's roads. (http://www.dmv.state.ne.us/highwaysafety/areas/al2crafat.html)
To my knowledge, there were no CCW related deaths or injuries in 2007.

Yet we were guaranteed by some that all kinds of mayhem would erupt once CCW became law.

And the DMV number is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to all the crime and damage done to society in general related to alcohol.

Let it go? Nah, I'm having far too much fun hammering hypocrites. Particularly those who don't know history.

Hey, Phreak! That's a GREAT idea. Let's ban the sale of alcohol in liquor stores, grocery stores and sports stadiums so Darrel doesn't have to see anyone in possession of that evil substance. Oh, yeah. If he does like a beer every once in a while at a backyard barbecue - that should be banned too so that the neighbors and their children don't see him.;-)

I say go ahead and let them drink at the games. This is a blue collar, lower income town and drinking is a big part of many activities. Until you change the demographics of what this town is, you might as well go with the flow. Those that don't enjoy beer events are already used to driving elsewhere for entertainment.

Pass the law. People are going to drink in the park whether it is legally allowed or not. So sit and think about the reprecussions that would have on our children........... Law breaker and drinking at a legal age or just drinking at a legal age?

The only reason that alcohol is allowed at the golf courses is because the city get to line thier pockets with it. $$$$ talks....evrything else walks. My son is 13- he sees both his parents have a beer both at home and at the bar (I have sinned- I took my minor child into an establishment that serves alcohol) He thinks it is funny to watch the drunks stumble and make fools of them selves. He is learning by example- he is learning that getting drunk is absoulety stupid.

I have been in the adult sotball league for the last few years and continue to participate to have one night away from my children, as do the majority of the players in the association. Yes some children are out there but they are too busy running around playing to notice or care if beer is being drunk. The only kids that are out at the park are young children not teenagers and if those parents are drinking at the fields then you can beat your sweet a$$ that they are drinking at home. And it is the responsibility of parents to teach their children not to drink not PEM!!!! Let us raise our children and stay out of it. If PEM really wants to stop underage drinking they need to concentrate on education not DICTATING to parents on how to live their lives.
I SAY WE START WRITING LETTERS TO THE PARK BOARD TO ALLOW BEER AT THE "PARK" ON SOFTBALL NIGHTS. I BET WE CAN BEAT PEM'S MEASILY 19 LETTERS OR WHATEVER THEY HAD IN A DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

To Phreakwars, your not allowed to drink in a grocery store, liquor store and most stadiums, genius!!

I say let them drink as much as they want, then when leave the park, they must take a breathalizer sponsered the police!!!

It is a simple solution. Let the adults have beer at the fields. Those worried about the kids at the park, whyy don't you parents actually watch (supervise) your kids like you are supposed to do as a aprents and it won't happen. As for the teens, again parents if you don't believe you raised your child well enough to make the right decision about drinking then don't let them go out of the house, cuz the fields isn't the only place to get beer.
Simple enough: parents do the parenting you should be doing.

To Darral... Didn't you previously say "If anyone want's to drink, then they should go to a BAR!!!" Well of course people don't drink at the grocery store, or the liquor store, they take the alcohol elsewhere... like their front porch, or their back patio deck, or to the BBQ or even to friends houses. Don't be silly.. But you are dead wrong about it not being sold at stadiums... and rock concerts... and rodeos, and etc, etc, etc.. Do you mean to tell me that alcohol is permitted to be sold at these places with the expectation that those who are purchasing it are gonna go to a bar to drink it? Or that they are now gonna take that $4.00 a glass beer and go hide away from others even though they are of legal age to drink it? Tisk tisk... You might own something you can call your own, like perhaps your home or your car, but you do not own the lives people choose to lead, and therefore do not have the right to have people comply with your morality's. The Constitution tells me so.

If I wanted to live in a dry state I'd move to the Bible Belt.

People are going to drink, whether they can do it openly or have to be sneaky. Unless you search every person at a sports venue, it is going to happen. You are fooling yourself if you think you are showing kids that drinking should not be done at games. They are smarter than you think, and in this case, would be smarter than you.

In any sports venue, from NASCAR, local races, all the way to wrestling, these events have beer available and it has not shown itself to be a big problem. At a local park or field, the ability to control the area is much easier than a stadium or track. I think common sense should be the guide on this issue.

Sell it there and use proceeds to improve the park. don't bring it in, don't take it out. Keep it there. Win win situation.

To Phreakwars, did you even read my post? I said "most" stadiums. Your comment: You might own something you can call your own, like perhaps your home or your car, well I should hope you own your car and home. Also, are you a 19th century woman from England? Who uses the phrase "tisk, tisk. No where in the constitution does it say that people have to comply with other people's morality. did you even read the constitution. You must be drunk right now!

In the 30 years that I have played softball at Gerrard Park, to my knowlege, I have not seen a minor drink , and our team refused to serve alcoholic beverages to any minors playing on any teams nor did any minors ask us to "give" them a beer either.
I have not seen any fights or misconduct due to drinking beer.
I honestly don't think the "beer drinking" at the park has any influence on the minors drinking, that part better come from home!!

DONT YOU SEE...this is the way for PEM to get their name out there....they do nothing all year round and then when this comes up..they are mentioned..its attention on them, good or bad, they don't care and it is working..to rock:put the beer down and quit killing your brain cells man! Darrell, you need to get a clue! Lots of good posters here, but soo many that are just plaing ignorant...don't push your values on me and I won't push mine on you, plain and simple!

Mama T has the right idea. If you feel that strongly, and it appears many people do, then speak up to the right people in the right places. Bellyaching here is not going to change anything. Put your money where your mouth is and start the campaign.

Yes - do away with canned beer in the parks. It's only one more right taken away. It's intervention by those who tred on the rights of others in the shallow guise of knowing what's best for everyone else. It's only another example of society attempting to "make law" versus interpreting it. It is the slow but steady erosion of a society that once represented and respected individual rights and freedom.

I used to live in Columbus and enjoyed going to play ball at Gerrard. I did not play because I was a softball god or because I had a chance to make the big leagues and make millions. I played because it was a place to go in Columbus have a good time and enjoy some adult beverages with my freinds. The town has grown quite a bit since I left but one thing always stays the same, there is not much to do in Columbus. The softball league is a way to get people out and spend their well deserved social time with freinds and great way to relax with freinds is to have a couple cool ones. The protesters of this issue need to commit to bringing more things to the city to do or else the kids are going to look back at all of the fun we had and say why did we get deprived of this opportunity to have a good time and whatever happend to the softball leagues. Let adults make there own choice. Go Brian

Why is this issue brought up year after year? I aggree with some of the previous posts about PEM needing to spend their time and money education teens and not punishing adults for wanting to have a few cold ones while playing softball. Come on!! We are adults.....not teens!! Trying to ban beer at Gerrard is like trying to ban beer at any "Family Resturant!" Guess what, kids and teens are present! Does that stop any adult from ordering a beer or alcoholic drink just because they have their kids with them! I dont think so! How about the Horse Races. Kids and teens present with adults enjoying cocktails! Same goes with the bowling allies and golf courses! Alcohol is present. So PEM, if you want to ban beer at the ball fields, you just as well try to ban it at all public places that serve alcohol with "minors" present!! And yet to this day, I havent seen any problems with beer out at Gerard!

Hey CommonSense, so I suppose Fenway PARK is just another place for a teeter-totter!?!?!?

So, if they are simply going to ban "canned" beer, wouldn't it still be ok to drink from a bottle instead? Or perhaps serve vodka instead- kids won't know the difference since it's clear. And what about other venues where there are kids- like the BBQ classic at Columbus Days or the Platte County Fair? Lots of kids, and they aren't so stupid as to not realize there is beer in a beer garden.Is PEM going to jump up and down about those next? Personally, I think I will bring a nice glass of merlot to the next game!

Ihope after every game a "COP" sits there and busts every one that gets in there car while drinking~~ Makes me sick you cant go to a game and be sober~~ Lets drive drunk and kill someone~~ You dont need alcohol then frive "COMMON SENSE" people

Of course not! If beer were allowed, we (adult public) would still be in possession of another right. We all know there is a slow but consistent movement afoot to protect us from ourselves. When will we wake up and realize that freedom of choice is not best for us? It's time to admit that society, judges, organizations, etc. serve us best when they "make law" vs. interpreting it? Bottom lines is... when a country treds on the rights of others in the light of special interests, history clearly reveals many signs of destruction.

so what if a cop sits there.. a person can have a few beers and still be legal to drive you know.. and you know what.. if they have more than that, probably will have a designated driver! WOW! shocking I know.. you can actually drink alcohol (which is legal in all 50 states amy) and still drive or be responsible! and not everyone that plays softball even drinks! go hug a tree or something!

reply to amy - thank you very much for saying exactly what I wanted to. I don't know why some people can't get it through their heads that most people don't drink to get drunk. There are a lot of people who just want a couple (2)of beers to RELAX or calm down. I only drink a few times a year and I don't do it to get drunk, I do it to RELAX.

Why is that so many of the people commenting on this topic think that the individuals playing softball at Gerrard are getting plowed? Do these people honestly believe that any person who wants to have a beer while playing softball is going to down 10 or 12?

As hard as it may be to believe, it is possible to drink responsibly and have only two or three beers. It can be done while playing softball, it can even be done in a bar. Granted, there are people out there who can't handle their liquor and drink to excess, but it is not an issue with the CSA.

It's also obvious that those opposing the CSA having canned beer at Gerrard have not spent any time out there. These aren't a bunch of college kids playing quarters or "shotgunning" beers before every inning or at bat.

I dont think it is neccessary to drink at all sports events. We have enough problems with teenage drinking as it is. There is a major problem with sports now days and that is "Can we drink?" I thought sports was suppose to be healthy.

As a parent, don't you feel that drinking (even if it is a couple) and then getting into your car with you child in the back isn't worth it. I'm for the beer in the park, but make it a 21 and over night with no children allowed at the game. This way adults can relax, enjoy a beer & children are safe at home with the babysitter.

I think that drinking is a persons decision and it should be ok for people to drink at a softball game, or out playing 18 holes. It would be ridiculous to see a person wasted trying to hit a softball and/or golf ball. And if I played either which I don't. I would know I couldn't becuase it takes only one and I am buzzing. So it should be left up to a persons discretion to drink. If they decide to get plowed out of their minds then let them get picked up. Ive had a run in with the Police before for drinking underage I learned my lesson!! Let the drinkers who drink toooooooo much learn too. And if they are underage let them learn early maybe it will prevent a DUI later. WHO KNOWS!!!

This area has always had problems with underage drinking. It is time to take a stand and set an example for our youth. NO alcohol at Gerrard Park.

This has NOTHING to do with setting an example. This community is no better or worse than any other in terms of underage drinking, and banning beer consumption by responsible in Gerrard Park is not the answer. If you have that much of a problem with alcohol I suggest you move to a Muslim country where no alcohol at all is allowed and see how you like it.

To Connie Kramer -- Good idea! Let's fix a few of other problems at the same time. Your children can't play on the monkey bars at the park until they're 15 yrs. old lest they fall and hurt themselves. Children under the age of 10 can't be in the kitchen when mother's cooking dinner lest they pull a hot skillet off the stove onto themselves. Outlaw bicycles on our roads to prevent injury from motor vehicles. Ban all school sanctioned sports participation. Let's get these campaigns started!!!

You folks just don't get it do you. Why do you need beer to be involved in sports. You don't. I'm betting if any of you folks were the parents of a child who had lost their life to underage drinking, you would change your tune.

What the heck does playing on monkey bars or moving to a Muslim country have to do with it???

Never was I more thankful that I was not educated in Columbus. Having read many of these comments convinces me that English is not taught in Columbus, or, if it is, it is considered a foreign language difficult to learn. Also not taught is debate. That is obvious from the lack of facts in the arguments. Most are based purely on emotion. Most high school students in our state are aware of the difference and can spell, punctuate, create a meaningful sentence, and debate intelligently. It is a small wonder that so many believe your "N" symbolizes Nowledge!

Buffbob, please don't judge the community school system by this set of blogs. It saddens me that this topic over alcohol has drawn so much attention but the case of the mother who let her byfriend abuse her 20 month did not. When she gets off with intense probation and ends up getting her kids back due to the wonderful system that believes this mother will deserve a second chance - will you all comment then?? This is a sad.

We used to live in Columbus and my husband played some ball at Gerrard. We'll be coming this summer so our daughter can play in the Fire & Ice Tournament. She played two different years at the new Hastings Softball Complex (12U tournaments) and guess what?! They were serving alcohol upstairs...even at the state tournament she played in! Get over it!

This is a no-brainer to me, just ban alchool in city parks, and lets be done with it already. In fact, twenty other communities in this state have already adopted this ban. They also still have softball teams in their repective communities. Further more a national public opinion survey conducted by wagenaar revealed that over EIGHTY percent of adults support banning or restricting the consumpation of alchool in public places.
So why is this such a debate in this community? Maybe we should just focus more on playing softball and setting a good example for the children there.

Josh--

The root of this issue isn't alcohol. The root of this issue is a Holier Than Thou Entity stepping in to tell the community at large that we are responsible for the mistakes of other people's children.

There are players involved in the CSA who don't have kids and don't bring kids to the softball games at Gerrard park. There are PARENTS who don't bring their kids to Gerrard park. Is it really the responsbility of these individuals to set an example for someone else's child?

I'm sure that the path of the debate would have an entirely different look had it simply been the Board that had come to the decision independently and without the influence of PEM. However, they didn't. They instead decided to factor in the opinions of a handful of people who have little or nothing to do with the CSA and softball at Gerrard park, a group that while in theory is instruement for good panders their cause down to the lowest denominator and belittles their own cause.

As I've said in earlier posts, it is clearly evident that individuals posting here in favor of the alcohol ban have not had any personal experience with the CSA and seem to have this perception that the players are having a giant kegger out at Gerrard Park, drinking to excess, and staggering around in drunken stupors when it is simply not the case.

And to Ms. Kramer: If you cannot understand the tools of allegory and allusion, then I am sad for you. The point being made in those comparisons is that if people cannot be held responsible for the decisions they make themselves and instead choose to place blame on being taught by example by total strangers, then perhaps you should move to a Muslim nation where alcohol is not allowed to anyone by law and keep your kids off of playground equipment because your child may hurt themselves trying to mimic someone else.

I say again that the issue of underage drinking has been turned and perverted from holding the individuals accountable to attacking the community at large. If a minor child gets into a reckless car accident do we punish the parent of said child? Do we punish their neighbor? No, there is a charge against the individual driving the vehicle.

If PEM truly does wish to be an instruement of good and help divert the youth of this community away from underage drinking their efforts would be better utilized reaching out to the children of the community instead of berating their parents and elders.

"BIFFBOB" I live in Co. If you think your people in this state are more educated, you are dead wrong, there are so many drop outs and losers around here it makes me laugh to think that you are better due to the fact you are a "BUFF"fan. Your school systems have just as many issues if not more. Get over it loser. Also, leave your kids at home if you wish for them to be in a alcohol free environment. Their are SOOOOO many places in the area that openly serve alcohol, (golf courses, bowling alleys, church functions, county fair, wedding halls, dining establishments, ag park,street dances...) Bottom line is the beer has not caused an issue at the ssoftball complex, let them have a few beers. I do agree that PEM has a few good ideas but they need to focus on the schools and other fuctions, NOT just Gerrard Park. Buffbob, if you truly are an educator what is PEM doing in the schools to promote their anti drinking campaign?

To Connie Kramer: Yes, we do get it. Nobody has stated beer is "needed" to be involved in sports. It's about the freedom of choice. Yes, sad -- anyone losing a child to unhderage drinking. But to blame such a loss on mature adults consuming beer at a ball game... is simply riduculous.

As for the monkey bars... just another "child injury threatening" example that "air headed" people may want to protect others from.

To Josh: I bet if you saw someone jump off a bridge, you'd quickly follow them. Some people prefer to think for themselves.

I don't care what your statistics say... a larger number has no right to impose their will on others by trampling their individual rights. By the way... a larger number has voted this web site to allow drinking.

If you disagree... perhaps I should begin a movement to ban your right to blog here. Without question, a larger number of people in Columbus prefer not to blog. Therefore.... this larger group should ban you because you cause injury to my little emotional feelings. Now -- wouldn't that make you happy?

To: All of you naysayers.
I served in the armed forces of these United States to preserve and protect individual freedoms. And now, you choose to abolish the same. Shame on you all.

Well said conservative, as I have said before all of you missgoodietooshoes, take your crap elsewhere, you people are FAR from hitting the nail on the head on this issue.

This one is for Mr.Conservative, no Sir I whould'nt jump off a bridge, if everyone else did. I'm sorry, but it sounds to me, like you speake from both sides of your mouth. If most of the people on this blog support drinking at softball games, how does that make me the follower?
Maybe you are right about one thing. I'am not thinking for myself but also, the children, and setting a good moral example for them. That is they can have fun and socialize alchool free.
I'am sorry if I hurt your "little emotional feelings"

I used to play a little ball at Gerard years ago and we did drink beer there. I have also drank beer in the local bars and on the community golf courses. Our cities police force does an excellent job of catching those both of age and underage when those drinking have overexceeded the legal amount. This has been the same since I was a young man and I don't believe it will change inmy lifetime. I'm 50. The point I think is that we make choices and irregardless of whether there is alcohol consumed at the bar, outside bar gardens, County fairs, golf courses, home or at Gerard Park doesn't matter. Parents, raise your children to make wize choices and hope they make the right choice when it matters. You can't and won't make alcohol go away no matter where it is consumed. As far as I know there have been no teenage deaths occur at Gerard Park. Don't blame the ballplayers for the youths that have lost their lives to alcohol. It could ahve been any other of the above listed available spots to consume alcohol that made those kids choose to drink. Or maybe the parents didn't educate them well enough??? You can't singleout one group to blame and hold them responsible. Let them play ball and have their beer. There will be enough focus on what happens at Gerard from here on out as a result of this issue that those in charge will hopefully monitor and deter any alcohol problems. They won't want this to come up again and lose their priviliges!!!