Hal McCoy can chew on his trademark cigar, but not light it. The Ol' Left-hander will need to find a new pastime while lounging in the home dugout during BP. Reds fans can smoke 'em if they've got 'em, but they must do so prior to entering the ballpark.
Good thing this didn't come down while Jack McKeon was managing.
Great American Ball Park is smoke free:
http://news.enquirer.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070308/BIZ01/303080046
Ohio's smoking ban is (in the process of) being enforced. The Reds are complying in the most efficient manner possible - a widespread, unconditional smoking ban applied throughout the facility.
With the notable exception of the Pepsi Power Stacks in centerfield, of course.
4 comments:
I haven't been to a game since the old "Riverfront" stadium was still caled "Riverfront", so please excuse my lack of good knowledge here. But aren't there areas there which are not "enclosed"?
I mean, the owners are free to make their place as nonsmoking as they want, but if they're going beyond the requirements of the law (ORC 3794) then this is not about that law being "enforced". It's more a matter of the owners of GABP overreacting to the potential complaints by persons who aren't well-versed in the law that was passed by only about 30% of Ohio voters.
And, given the ambiguity of the law as written, I can't say that I blame them for the decision.
"called"
Sorry.
David, thanks for reading.
The Ohio law has defined an "enclosed" area as any structure with a roof or overhead covering, or walls of any kind regardless of openings.
It's up for debate whether that language makes this law more or less effective, but the Reds are simply following the law as written.
I'm sure the Reds' thinking is this: a ban is much less costly, and easier to enforce if you apply it to the entire structure.
They could at least let people out and come back in. I'm not a smoker - can't stand it actually - but it's not right to not provide some way for smokers to turn their lungs black! ;)
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