Common Sense
By Amber
@AmbiePam (85273)
United States
July 8, 2011 5:42am CST
This isn't funny, and I feel horrible for these people's families. But can no one exercise common sense anymore? First example takes place last night. A fan at a Rangers baseball game calls for a ball to be thrown to him after an outfielder catches a foul ball. The outfielder throws it up in the stands and the guy leans out as far as he can over the rail to catch it. He succeeds in catching it, but falls over the railing, 20 ft. down below and lands on the concrete. He leaves the ballpark conscious, but later dies. His young son was at the game with him, and was taken care of until other relatives could be contacted. I understand you want to get your son a ball for a souvenir. But c'mon! The ballpark has those protective fences past your waist, sometimes up to one's chest. They count on people having enough common sense not to reach so far over that they will fall.
Example number two: a man dies last week in New York while protesting a mandatory helmet law for people who ride motorcycles. You know how he died? He breaked too hard while protesting and flew off his bike, landing head first on the concrete. He died of a head injury. He died protesting a law that would have saved his life.
This is a tragedy for their families. I just wish I could ask those two now deceased men - what were you thinking?
4 people like this
14 responses
@katsmeow1213 (28717)
• United States
8 Jul 11
I think I heard about the motorcycle guy. Guess his protest didn't work, huh?
1 person likes this
@daeckardt (6237)
• United States
9 Jul 11
That is really sad! As far as the helmet law is concerned, I know that such a law would have saved my nephew's life in Thailand (they have such a law, but it is seldom enforced with foreigners), but you can't talk sense into some people. When people don't use common sense, it often costs them dearly and it hurts their families as well. Thanks for bringing this up!
1 person likes this
@cher913 (25782)
• Canada
8 Jul 11
many people seem to lack that these days. there is this show on tv called 1,000 ways to die and you know what? most of those deaths could have been prevented if the people took a moment and thought things through, but these days, no on bothers to do that - too much work.
1 person likes this
@manleyjoe (1597)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Maybe it is the excitement of the match or event at the time. In my 35 years in law enforcement I have seen a lot of these "accidents" and always wonder why.
@sjvg1976 (41132)
• Delhi, India
9 Jul 11
hello AmbiePam,
Yes these people lack common sense but though it was sad to hear these news.
I often says that common sense is not common these days.Had the person worn the helmet he would have not lost his life people sometimes do not apply their mind & don't even think of their lives.
Yes these people lack common sense but though it was sad to hear these news.
I often says that common sense is not common these days.Had the person worn the helmet he would have not lost his life people sometimes do not apply their mind & don't even think of their lives.1 person likes this
@carolscash (9492)
• United States
8 Jul 11
In the case at the ballpark, I did not see a protective fence at all in the photos that I seen only a railing. It is a very sad story and we should be feeling sorry for the family instead of placing blame on the victim.
In the second case, it just shows that possibly a helmet law would be a great idea all over the US. In cars, we are required to wear a seat belt and so I think that motorcycle riders should wear helmets.
@AmbiePam (85273)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Like I said, it's sad for the family. But they wouldn't be grieving if he had shown caution. The son, oh man the son is going to have nightmares of his dad overreaching for that ball... The ballpark did what was required. If the railing had been higher the people in the seats wouldn't have been able to see. He also fell in such a weird spot - behind the scoreboard.
Last year another guy went over the railing in that ballpark. He was reaching for a foul ball, leaned out too far, and fell over. He broke a bone in his neck but survived. He said it was the most stupid thing he'd ever done in his life - just for a souvenir.
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Wow, the first one is terrible, but the second one, I don't want to make light of a horrible situation, but to protest against something and then dying because the person didn't have the one thing that could have saved his life..That is just too weird...
The first one, I can see someone not thinking, because it is a big thing to get a ball from a baseball game. I feel for the son though, to think his dad sacrificed his life to get him a ball that will only now bring back bad memories..
@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
8 Jul 11
You should be resting..
Yeah, he might, or he may just keep it to remember his dad, or he could even have the ball buried with his dad..
Yeah, he might, or he may just keep it to remember his dad, or he could even have the ball buried with his dad..@carmelanirel (20942)
• United States
9 Jul 11
Ambie, I got this in my e-mail today and thought immediately thought of this discussion. http://www.snopes.com/autos/accident/seatbelt.asp
Another non-common sense accident..
1 person likes this
@coffeebreak (17798)
• United States
8 Jul 11
Common sense is one of those things that society has dictated is not necessary any more. You must be politically correct... only. Stupid as it is, common sense is not used by most people. If it was, people wouldn't be texting as they cross the streets and not looking at on coming cars that can possibly kill them. Things like that. I have so much common sense and use it all the time, but it is really hard caz those that don't, just don't understand the situation. Another thing that sadly, society has trashed away with.
1 person likes this
@kenzie45230 (3560)
• United States
8 Jul 11
I thought the same thing in both instances. Where was their common sense? Sadly, I think that few people have common sense any more. Kids are certainly not encouraged to think on their own, so how in the world will they develop it?
1 person likes this
@bouncybug (614)
• South Africa
8 Jul 11
Wow. There really can be no end to people's stupidity sometimes. What sad and unnecessary ways to die :( Could that father not have realised that as much as his son may have wanted a souvenir from the game, he would much rather have had a father there to watch him grow up. I guess all we can do from stories like this is learn from them and learn to think more about the consequences of all of our actions.
1 person likes this
@ilovestool (107)
• China
8 Jul 11
These all not people's work I think.We can use simulators and robots to replace them.Those tragedies happened not only to themselves,but also their families.This will hurt a mother and some young children.
