Gone are the days when jolly sports fans heckled athletes with good natured taunts and jibes.

“We want a pitcher not a belly itcher,” and “Hey batter batter — swing batter,” have been traded for “that’s it outfielder, bend over and take it,” and “You suck Bonds, all the juice in the world couldn’t help you win the big one.”

Actions, as well as words, are becoming hard to stomach.

In 2001, Kansas City Royals first base coach Tom Gamboa was attacked by a drunken father and son duo during a game against the Chicago White Sox at what is now called U.S. Cellular Field.

United States Soccer Federation licensed referee Jonathan Marz, a Sacramento State student, has been officiating games for 12 years and said he has seen fan behavior deteriorate in recent history.

“A number of people use foul language and drop f-bombs,” Marz said. “I didn’t used to hear that much for the first 10 years of my career.”

Fans have also tried to push their way on to the field during some of Marz’s games.

“If they think you’re making bad calls and you look young like I do, they tend to want to push on the field and take over … we usually end the game at that point.”

What fans don’t seem to understand is that going vigilante like Batman, rushing the field and yelling obscene comments never helps their team.

Sac State rower Amy Chenard attended the last regular season men’s basketball game here on campus and was surprised at some of the things she heard.

“What made me mad was when they were screaming at the refs to go eat a dick,” Chenard said. “Yelling things like that won’t get them to make calls in our favor.

“I just thought they could tone it down at that game. It is a family environment … I have a bad mouth and I was offended.”

According to The Sacramento Bee, Sale’ Key, a Sacramento-area native and player on the Idaho State basketball team, was hit by a plastic bottle during the same game. He was asked by his teammates if all Sacramento people were like that.

Sure it’s fun to have a few brews, head out to the sporting event of your choice and give the athletes a hard time. But put some thought into your insults.

Hounding athletes with witty and well thought out comments always beats the crude and vulgar ones any Neanderthal can come up with.

Use these well thought out taunts the next time a tattooed male basketball player or guy with a bad hairdo comes to your town.

“My little sister has that same tattoo,” is always a good one and “Steve Nash would be embarrassed by that haircut,” works almost as well.

At least give student-athletes a break. Most college kids are just trying to get an education while having a little fun competing. Pro guys get paid millions to play and deal with drunken bastards. So if you have to, check for children and nuns, and if they are nowhere to be seen, give those pampered, money-hungry players hell.

Contact Michael Young at [email protected]