Heckling that provoked a fight between Wichita fans and two Arkansas Travelers players is commonplace at other ballparks in the Texas League, a player said.
"El Paso? It's crazy," said Rod Myers, right fielder for the Wichita Wranglers. "Midland is bad, and San Antonio is really bad."Myers said fans often run down the stairs to the dugout to heckle players when they come off the field after striking out or missing an RBI opportunity.
Wichita was the site for one of the most recent ugly scenes.
Witnesses at Monday night's game said at least one fan kept calling Dimitri Young, who is 6-foot-2 and weighs 230 pounds, "pork chop."
After the game, Young, 22, challenged the individual to repeat the insult to his face, witnesses said. The fan did, and Young allegedly slugged him, witnesses said.
Young was wrestled to the ground by fans. Teammate Keith Jones, 24, then climbed into the stands with a bat and hit a man who was restraining Young, witnesses said.
Both outfielders were suspended indefinitely by Texas League president Tom Kayser, who attended the game. The incident is still being investigated.
Walt Jocketty, general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals, the parent club for Arkansas, said the club isn't ready to take any action against its players.
Wranglers officials said they were reviewing game security and are considering cutting off beer sales before the end of the game.
Wranglers general manager Steve Shaad said the Wranglers organization, a Kansas City Royals farm club, intervenes if fans use racial epithets, sexual innuendo or profanity in heckling.