Tampa fans are stepping out

First off, nothing I say here in any way condones throwing stuff on a baseball field; even if Kevin Youkilis plays the outfield for a game. Just so we are clear.

I see that last night's Rays/Rangers game had to be halted in the ninth inning when Tampa "fans" in the left field stands began throwing peanuts at outfielder Marlon Byrd.

Come again? Tampa fans? I thought they were a pretty docile bunch but maybe that is changing. I could see it in Chicago, New York, Boston or Newark (the Bears play there, you know) but Tampa?

I wonder if the peanuts here will be like a "gateway drug" for Tampa fans. You start with peanuts, move up to beach balls, then batteries*, then cups of beer and then all the sudden, you have shirtless guys running out on the field attacking the opposing geriatric first-base coach.

And it all started with peanuts.

*In high school, a group of us would go sit in the bleachers at Tiger Stadium from time to time. The bleachers there were like an alternative world with a lot of stuff going on (think: no rules). Anyway, once one of our "friends" brought some small radio batteries to the game. I forget if we were playing the Yankees or the Rangers but he started throwing these batteries at Mickey Rivers. To be clear, I DID NOT THROW BATTERIES. OUR GROUP TOLD THIS GUY NOT TO DO IT BUT THERE WAS (AND STILL IS) SOMETHING WRONG WITH HIM. Anyway, Rivers turned around and pointed at my "friend" and was screaming for Security to remove him. The only problem was there typically was no Security in the bleachers and any that day were probably drinking with the fans anyway. Mickey was just out of luck.