The Mayor and Council make the following findings:
A. Unruly behavior at sporting events has increased in recent years.
Incidents of unauthorized persons entering the playing area of a sporting
event have become more common.
B. Unauthorized persons entering the playing area of a sporting event,
and the tossing or hurling of objects, substances or dangerous instruments
onto the playing area of a sporting event, may cause serious injury
and may result in violence, particularly in a crowded venue during
a sporting event.
C. It is not the intent of this article to penalize traditional fan
participation in sports events, including but not limited to throwing
a ball back onto the field after a home run, or the tossing of hats
onto the rink after a hat trick in a hockey game. Instead, this article
is intended to address that behavior which is not part of a sports
tradition but is intended to cause physical injury or disrupt an event.
For the purposes of this article the following terms shall have
the following meanings:
DANGEROUS INSTRUMENT
Any instrument, article or substance which, under the circumstances in which it is used, attempted to be used or threatened to be used, is readily capable of causing death or other serious physical injury. A laser (as defined in §
214-11) shall be a dangerous instrument.
PLAYING AREA
Any area designated for use by players, coaches, officials
or other team, or other, personnel administering the sporting event
that is on, or adjacent to, the area of play during the period from
the opening of the venue's gates to the public to the closing
of the gates after the event.
SPORTING EVENT
An athletic competition or practice, including, but not limited
to, one conducted in a public venue. The duration of said such competition
or practice is to include the period from the opening of the venue's
gates to the public to the closing of the gates after the event.
SPORTS PARTICIPANT
An umpire, referee, player, coach, manager, security employee,
groundskeeper, stadium operations employee, or any other sanctioned
participant in which the sporting event is taking place.
SUBSTANCE
The term includes, but is not limited to, any liquid or saliva.