Busted! Reds reported after smoking victory cigars in clubhouse

[El Presidente]

Busted! Reds reported after smoking victory cigars in clubhouse

By 'Duk

http://sports.yahoo.com/mlb/blog/big_leagu...?urn=mlb-273745

Impressionable utes weren't the only ones watching when Cincinnati Reds owner Bob Castellini (right) passed out victory cigars and then lit up after his team clinched the NL Central title at Great American Ball Park on Tuesday.

Also watching at home on television were at least five whistle-blowers who noted that the Reds were violating Ohio's indoor-smoking ban. They called Cincinnati's health department to report the team and now the Cincinnati Enquirer reports the club is under investigation.

In case you're wondering, the answer is yes — I'm extremely sorry to report that there are people living among us who would actually do this.

Look, my non-smoker self enjoys big gulps of clean indoor air as much as anybody. I can't, however, imagine what kind of situational misery would make someone watch a one-time free-for-all scene where alcohol is freely being sprayed into the eyes of others and decide that he or she needs to tattle on a few puffs from a stogie at a place they're not even at.

Did these people also file complaints about all the celebratory jaywalking that was going on downtown that night? Do they report all the big-act musicians who come to town and smoke cigarettes in their green rooms? Honestly, it's not as if the Reds ruined their nice dinner at Olive Garden that night.

Luckily, the Reds aren't facing the prospect of any players being placed under citizen's arrest or the forfeiture of their first division title since 1995. Though we have evidence of Castellini being caught, uh, red-handed, Ohio state law says the health inspector must actually witness the smoking in person to issue a fine.

And it's not even that big to begin with.

From the Enquirer:

State law requires a health inspector to go out within 30 days at about the same time of day as the alleged violation, [health department spokesperson Rocky] Merz said. That means an inspector might be attending one of the playoff games to see if anyone is smoking then.

"We come in unannounced, obviously," he said.

If the inspector sees someone smoking, the Reds will be sent a letter notifying them of the violation, which the team can appeal. No fine is attached to any initial violation. If another complaint is filed and an inspector responds again to the ballpark and sees someone smoking, the Reds could be fined $100. The fine escalates to $500 after that.

Considering that Castellini owns a professional baseball team, I'm guess he'd be willing to tack on the cost of those fines should the Reds advance deep into the postseason.

That said, I think it'd be a huge show of support for Cincy's health department to ignore all similar calls in the future. As everyone is going to be quick to joke, it was probably just a bunch of jealous Cardinals or Cubs fans anyway.

[rckymtn22]

WTF, what about the open alcohol in the dressing room without a liquor licence? Guess they should have smoked out on the field.

[MoneyPit]

State law requires a health inspector to go out within 30 days at about the same time of day as the alleged violation

I'd be willing to bet the health inspector shows up right before game time....

[#2 man]

better not replay some of those celtic championships, or MJ after the BULLS won God forbid you see that on tv .........." lighten up Francis"

[rdb6]

Unbelievable. I bet the people who phoned it in didn't give their names. Anonymous tips. Jealous little people who actually thought they did the right thing.

[android]

String them up by the balls!

[Ben]

As amazed as I am at the arseholes who reported the team and even more amazed the Reds won the pennant!

Been awhile.

[ARRV]

State law requires a health inspector to go out within 30 days at about the same time of day as the alleged violation

I'd be willing to bet the health inspector shows up right before game time....

I'd put the house on it!

[kafreeman]

Unbelievable. I bet the people who phoned it in didn't give their names. Anonymous tips. Jealous little people who actually thought they did the right thing.

I heard that they were anonymous tips.

[Colt45]

Didn't we just read that NY's mayor was hoping people would call if they saw people smoking in parks, etc?

[El Presidente]

Didn't we just read that NY's mayor was hoping people would call if they saw people smoking in parks, etc?

You are kidding!

We may not have guns but we don't snitch on people smoking in parks

[Trevor2118]

You are kidding!

We may not have guns but we don't snitch on people smoking in parks

What narrow minded self righteous #@%{*!? people.............

[Guest rob]

When I read the title of this thread - I incorrectly assumed that the Queensland Reds were out celebrating... for not being at the bottom of the ladder for once.

[StumpyJoe]

The only thing I can think of is...

...how miserable and without joy does your life have to be to pick up the phone and make that call?

[laficion]

...how miserable and without joy does your life have to be to pick up the phone and make that call?

I guess that if you're THAT frustrated in life, you can make ANY phone call

[anacostiakat]

The next time the Bengals score a touchdown they aught to light up a cigar in the end zone.

[MPS]

Only in America.

[jdeese88]

Land of the free

[hddeucebrad01]

Land of the free

But our "smoking freedom" is dying not so slowly anymore...

[Vetteman]

My country and it's populace is becoming an embarassment

[ChanceSchmerr]

What a total joke.

Hey Reds - Some friendly tips from your lady friends to the north! When you celebrate, always do so on the field of play, not the club house - besides, it's more fun that way anyway!

Just, uh.....stay off the groundskeeping equipment

[akoretz]

The call probably came from the Cardinals clubhouse....

[PigFish]

I don't know how many times I gotta' beat this drum... It is not the sissy son-of-a-***** that made the call... The laws are bad!!! It is the same group of nanny-state big government folks who bring you almost all the nanny-state safety laws. When you finally wake up and see that the one that "you" thought was a good idea infringed on the rights of another you will learn that government does not belong in running your daily life. Figure it out people! Everyone thinks that someone is doing something that he shouldn't and many get turned into bad laws. Each law represents lost freedom. Man, how they cry about church and state... how about Statist and state.

The sissy snitcher.... Well Ohio... you put him/her in power! You got no one to blame but yourself. Somehow I see poetry in this. Reds being informed on by 'reds.' -LOL What does every socialist state teach its "children" foremost? It encourages your neighbors, the state's children, to inform. There is a reason that they have the nickname smoking NAZIs now isn't there?

If its got the environment, child safety, public welfare, good of man, health, the poor... involved in it, you had better believe that some socialist do gooder is trying to empower him/herself by shoving a hot cattle prod up your ass to get you back in line and on your side of the fence. The informer is just doing what he was told to do! He was following the law. Give the informer a medal and then vote everyone at the end of the line that he called out of office and fire every staffer involved. That my friends, solves the problem. Your neighbor is not really your problem and it is about time you reach out to him because big government is both your problems and you can't fight it alone.

You know folks, if they did not tax tobacco heavily its sale would be banned by now. -Piggy