The Dodgers Are Concerned Enough About Fan Violence To Offer Half-Priced Booze At Six Upcoming Games

The Los Angeles Dodgers have talked a good game in returning their stadium to something that doesn't resemble a gangland Thunderdome where opposing fans get beaten into comas for no discernible reason.

Hiring former LAPD Chief William Bratton to review security at and around the park is a good move. But offering half-priced cocktails at daytime games on April 21, May 4, June 15, June 22, Aug. 10 and Aug. 31? It's difficult to see how that would help.

The matter of stadium booze-and-violence came up yesterday when Dodgers owner Frank McCourt made some time for the press. Here's what Steve Lopez of the L.A. Times had to write about it:

Asked what the Dodgers could do about alcohol-fueled rowdies, McCourt actually said, "I don't think it's the sale of beer that's a problem, per se. It's the abuse of that privilege."...

Then why not cut off the spigot a little earlier in the game, and why not do a better job of tossing the obvious drunks out of the park? Instead, the Dodgers have several promotions on the calendar in which food and beverages will be half price.

On the promotion, there's an asterisk, and you figure that means alcohol will be excluded, right?

Nope.

The asterisk was used as an exclamation, as in "Including alcoholic beverages."

They know you won't break the rules, because there aren't any.

Dodgers Continue to Promote Half-Price Booze [L.A. Forward]

Who's to blame for problems at Dodger Stadium? [L.A. Times]

Dodger fans who cause trouble will be arrested, Police Chief Beck and Mayor Villaraigosa say [L.A. Times]

The Dodgers Seemingly Want Their Fans To Stop Beating People Into Comas [Deadspin]