God Bless America at Yankee Stadium

[filihok]

Regardless...that doesn't change the fact that fans are "required" to stand during GBA

[Frijolito]

Why do the even play GBA? It's not even the National Anthem. This is one of the stupidest policies I have ever heard of.

[RickD]

I agree that at a game you should be able to use the restroom whenever you want. You should not be required to do anything at a game but be civil and respectful to those around you and to not cause harm, injury, etc.

However, no one is forced to go to the game.

I wonder if other teams have rules re. this.

I also wonder when this rule was instituted....was it after 9/11? Does not make a difference but it may be as a result of!

[Frijolito]

Their is nothing like this at Miller Park. They don't even play GBA.

[RickD]

Of course playing GBA is not the problem here. Requiring people to sit/stand would be the problem.

There were 2 issues in this thread to me.

1. The requirement of the crowds to focus on the song, in their seats, is wrong
2. The insane, separation issue as discussed by MetsGuy which is more an anti-God view he has. Playing the song is not wrong.

[filihok]

Not at Nationals Stadium, Shea or Citizen's Bank

[metsguy234]

Shea plays GBA as of this year, and they tell people to stand, but there are certainly no guards or forced standing.

[OregonDuck1989]

Coor's plays National Anthem and Take Me Out To The Ball Game

No GBA

[metsguy234]

See, there's a probably with GBA because it promotes a specific view.

I doubt that stadiums would play a song that goes like:

"America is great,
we're blessed by liberty,
and we salute no god"

I can also confirm that PNC Park also plays GBA, and asks only men to take their hats off for some reason...

[oriole^]

Camden Yards does play it, before leading into the more usual "Thank God I'm a Country Boy", which makes for a jarring transition, even if it is another song with "God" in the title.

Personally, I don't see much use in it. We have an Anthem. It's the song that represents our nation, and I do stand, stay in one place, and remove my cap for it. (Orioles fans also shout "O!" during the anthem. Technically, that's disrespectful, but the way we figure it, we gave the country the anthem, so we can do it the way we want to. ) When "O Canada" is played for the visiting Blue Jays, I do the same out of respect for the country of Canada.

"GBA" isn't the anthem. (I don't even particularly think it's a good song.) Thus, if I want to get up and get a hot dog or take a whiz or whatever, that's my business. (Camden Yards does not ask anyone to stand or remove their caps; they do for the Star-Spangled Banner and O Canada.)

Putting up chains or punishing those who don't conform to the ceremony makes a mockery of the American values we honor in acknowledging the Anthem.

[RickD]

See, there's a probably with GBA because it promotes a specific view.

I doubt that stadiums would play a song that goes like:

"America is great,
we're blessed by liberty,
and we salute no god"

That though is your opinion...others may disagree.

[iklinck]

Wouldn't putting up chains be a issue in terms of fire escape routes?

Ian

[RickD]

Probably.

[dannymac910]

I was at the Red Sox, Yankee game the other day, and seeing 54,000 people all standing and singing brought chills down my spine. Although I do not believe in God, I must say it was moving.

[RickD]

Cool.