Rays-Red Sox fan fight brings arrest

ST. PETERSBURG -- Police arrested a Boston Red Sox fan today on charges he assaulted a Tampa Bay Rays fan during a May 2 baseball game.

Joseph Michael Norton, 30, the Red Sox fan, and John Thaddeus Ritter, 19, the Rays fan, exchanged words around 11 p.m. while walking down the outside ramp at Tropicana Field's gate six at the conclusion of the Rays-Red Sox matchup, according to St. Petersburg Police.

Norton ran up behind Ritter and "sucker punched" him in the back of the head, police said. Ritter fell forward on the concrete ramp, according to witnesses. He struck his head on the pavement and suffered a concussion and serious head injuries, police said.  He went to the hospital and was later released. 

Hillsborough County sheriff's deputies arrested Norton Friday morning at his home, 8102 Sheldon Road in Tampa and charged him with aggravated battery. He remained in jail Friday with bond set at $75,000.

Stephanie Hayes, Times Staff Writer

Comments

[rubbersoul]

Let's hope he gets sucker punched with a nice jail sentence, where he can while away his hours crying on Bubba's shoulder. It's nice to see this creep caught.

[Robert]

I am an advid Red Sox fan but that moron got what he deserves .
First off to sucker punch someone is as cowardly as it gets as far as manhood goes.
Secondly if your gonna fight over a damn game then you really need to evaluate who you are.
I just hate to see idiots like that hurt our reputations by doing stupid things like this.
Note To Self = Oh yeah before sucker punching check the stats the rays have a winning record against the red sox you moron

[cesspool]

I hope this smug punk gets the whinyazz Boston accent smacked right out of him along the way.

[hogholler]

Ont dose boostin muuda fuggas a total deescustin bunch a mudda fuggas??

[dick n]

It's a baseball game. That's all it is. Nothing but nothing allows for behavior like this in a society like ours. Focus...its a baseball game.

[joseph]

Only a sissy would sucker punch someone in the back of the head. What a loser.

[hosscartwright]

coward

[Big C]

Hit a man when he isn't looking, what a mommas boy. Maybe momma can come bail you out sweety. What a wussy

[carroll]

What is it with these northerner idiots that they just can't act like civilized, normal human beings. I was at the second game against the Yankees earlier this season and witnessed an out-of-control new york fan nearly start a fight over nothing. These morons are so tightly wound and take everything too seriously and ruin a good time. Go back home if that's the way you want to act--nobody will even notice in that zoo you call home.

[soxsukdix]

hahaha...i just noticed this punk lives here...he should be very afraid....honestly, he should vbe very afraid.....they even published his home address...that makes it even easier for us.

[whyman]

At White Sox games back home we used to beat the crap out of the Bosox fans after the games because #1 They have the biggest mouths and get louder when you ignore them. #2 They drop F-bombs in front of our kids fanbase in the stands as if its nothing. #3 They cant ever go to a game without physically starting a fight--yes they start it (sucker punches). #4 We learned a long time ago they think they can fight just because Matt and Ben could in the movie "Good Will Hunting". They still talk smack bloody and limping away though. Brilliant.

[Opinion Master]

the worst part, a "30 year old Boston fan", attacking a "19 year old Ray fan from behind"

I could somewhat undersatnd a 19 year old running up to a 30 year old, but reverse?? Joseph, buddy, YOUR 30!!

Grow up already!

[overRAYted]

White Sox fan and soxsukdix are some really classy fans in their on right. Typical of the new regime of 1500 fans the devil rays have. They just live and breathe sports down here in the Tampa market. That is what they just don't understand a fan is a fan not just if your team has one decent year.

[Paul]

I am glad that this jerk was arrested.

Send him back to Boston where they brag about doing these things.

He can't help being ignorant but maybe he should go back where it won't be noticed. ( FENWAY PAAK)

[Mashiach Bjorklund]

It's great that he was arrested, now let's hope a judge follows through and gives him a real criminal sentence for what he did. If he does then hopefully it will send a message to other fans as to what's tolerated and what's not at our sports games. There is a lot more at stake here than just some idiot behaving badly. All you have to do is look at world cup soccer to know what I am talking about.

[jnabna]

there are good fans and bad fans on both sides. this guy was a jerk and is being punished for it.

i agree with robert: if your gonna fight over a damn game then you really need to evaluate who you are.

[E-Man]

they gave his address in this story... he probably has a fight club at his house every weekend and is just waiting for people to drop by. we just wouldn't know about it. The first rule of fight club is - you don't talk about fight club.

[Paul]

I spend a portion of the summer months in New England and all I hear is SOX and PATS.

I have been told that If I want to go to a Sox game,
I had better not wear my RAYS gear or I would be asking for trouble.

Living in St. Pete for most of my life I know that
we have fans from all over the country and rarely
have problems when we attend games.

These kinds of fans should stay home if they can
not behave as guests of our area and behave accordingly.

It is a GAME.

[Adam]

Turns out, that was the only beating dished out by the Red Sox that night.

[charles]

"White Sox fan and soxsukdix are some really classy fans in their on right. Typical of the new regime of 1500 fans the devil rays have. They just live and breathe sports down here in the Tampa market. That is what they just don't understand a fan is a fan not just if your team has one decent year."
-overRAYted

What would you have said to a Rays fan 6-7 years ago? Probably made fun of him for rooting for a losing team. What would you say if we didn't have more fans because of last year..probably make fun of how no one cares..it's obvious you're just complaining to complain. And 'a decent year' they're the defending AL champs..a little better than decent huh? Anyway keep talking trash about where you live it's better than moving.

[Al]

These kind of out of control fans are the reason that I don't take my kids to Bucs or Lightning games. I sure hope I don't have to stop taking them to Rays games.

[GoodOldBoy]

carroll, I agree with you 100%! As a seventh generation Floridian, born and raised in the Tampa area, I do not have any patience for the trash that moves down here from the north, continue to wear their "hometown" gear and run their mouths. If the Boston and New York were such great places, why did these idiots leave? I checked with my friends, relatives and neighbors, and not one of us invited any of you northerners down here. I-95 does run north, so please do all of us a favor and leave.
Go Rays!
Proud Season Ticket holder since 1998!

I think I may go down to the Westin Hotel on Harbor Island and have a drink, I heard they have a really talented bartender. Any Rays Fans care to join me?

[AJS]

Im a New Yorker that moved down here 5 years ago. I love the Rays but will always be a Yankee fan. The one thing that all Yankee fans will tell you is that Boston Red Sox fans are the meanest fans in the world. whether they win or lose they have something to say and are very aggressive. Don't bad mouth the Northerners just because one stupid "man" decided to pick on a teenager. I hope he gets what he deserves.

[murfinthekeys]

Another reason to hate the overly obnoxious Red Sux fans. If Boston is so great, why don't you all go back to live there!!!! Goes for Yankee fans too!

[RC]

I believe this BoSox fan can be the dumbest person in the world and this man living in Tampa Bay. He deserves what he gets. All Ny fans we do have the Tampa Yankees here it is a great athmosphere aand the fans dont get mad it is just a game.

[jonj]

overRAYted-- go home! Take the 30 year old jerk with you as well as the rest of the wonderful Massholes!!
Dont forget to name your first child after this. A REAL fan is a fan, not just SOX fans.... idiots!!
I'll make it easy for all of you... 275 North, I4 East, 95 North, and keep going.... Please dont look back, nobody here wants you!!

[steph]

I have also been a Rays fan since 1998. I went to the ALDS, ALCS, and WS games last year.

Kudos to Robert who showed that there are some class Sox fans.

To Whyman - I totally agree with #1 and #2 in your statement. That could not have been more evident than last year. However, I was also going to games when Pedro was 'pitching' .... and even the parking attendants asked if we 'came to see the fight' 9 years ago. And two years ago when even, at the time, my 3 year old son turned around and yelled at some Sox fans to be quiet and watch the game.

I am just glad this guy was finally 'outed'. Hopefully he will become the 'Steve Bartman' of Tampa and MOVE AWAY!

[superguyent]

You know what, Rays fans are just as bad. My son who is 7 went to a Rays game with his Mom and some moron Rays fan screamed in his ear and cussed at him constantly just because he was cheering for the red sox. He was cussing at a 7 year old...and this is the second time this has happened at the Trop. Rays get a little success and no one knows how to act. IT'S a baseball game... So if the Rays fan in this story was acting like the one who was yelling at my son, he deserved to get punched in the head. Ignorant rays fans... it's just a stupid game, stop acting like every game is the playoff's.

[hogholler]

Boston Sucks, I just went into a lengthy essay and it cut me off so now I cant really say what I wanted to say. Long story short 2o yrs in relationship with Boston freaks,and it is like life and death. I was a little league coach and ended up with Mom!! Somebody put me out of my misery

[McLovin]

I guess this held true...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xku90I53yN8

[bobo]

One less

[Bobcat]

75,000 bond that should keep this looser locked up till the court date so he might just be out for springtraining next season dumb as the day is long and achicken chit to boot lol attacking someone from behind well cover your behind in jail you fat punk

[Paul]

The best thing that the Times did was publish this guy's home address.

Now maybe it will be so miserable
for him here that he will go back
to New England where he can brag
to his buddies about what a hero
he was in Florida.

He could also return home as a convicted felon. (If he is not already one.)

[pinellashockey]

typical sox fans... cant control their liquor... for sucker punching, this guy needs to do jail time

[SarasotaGal]

I've been to many Rays games, and the Red Sox fans seem to be the rudest. I am so glad Sarasota didn't give in to the team's demands and move to our town. I'd love to have a baseball team, but NOT the Red Sox, solely because of their rude fans.

[Truth Seaker]

You don't know all the facts. How dare any of you judge someone when you weren't there to witness the facts. I don't remember reading in the artical that the "Boston Fan" was drunk. Drama sells and this is something that none of us that weren't there know anything about. Last I knew we live in a free country and everyone has a right to enjoy the professional team they want and freedom of the press is something that damages people for the rest of their lives because the media is too concerned with selling and making money then publishing the facts. I'm sure there is more to the story than what is printed in fact I would be willing to bet there is way more to the story. That 19 yr old probably thinks he's the cats meow and was shooting off his mouth.

As for the comment of printing the 30-yr olds address, your post sounded a lot like a threat, now that it's in print and if anything happens to Joseph, you'll be in a boat load of trouble yourself.

Truth people Truth.

[Names_freek]

That's what happens when both teams suck. Fans take out on each other.

[taxpaying gal]

What a P$%^ssy

[Ron]

just saying and all...but this a-hole hangs out at bilmar station in town and country.

[Paul]

Too often we read these stories, comment on them
but never see a follow-up in the Times as to the final outcome.

I for one would appreciate the "rest of the story"
as Paul Harvey would say.

We would like to know what the punishment
handed down by the courts.

I doub't that he will be sued by the injured kid as he probably doesn't have a pot to P--s and is probably here
spongeing off his family or friends.

Not that it will help, but even at thirty years old he should
be taught a lesson.

[cesspool]

The Rays lost the game that night which makes this incident even more inexplicable. Go git 'im bubba! Fresh fish.

[Truth Seaker]

Are you people allright? You don't even know the whole story and you've tried and convicted someone. I'd hate to be someone who needs you to sit on their jury. REMEMBER THIS IS THE UNITED STATES AND YOU ARE INNOCENT UNTIL PROVEN GUILTY! Some of you must love having all your tax money go to the over crowded prisions. There are innocent people in prision you know.

[Truth Seaker]

Hey cesspool, you sound like you've had experience with bubba!

[Paul]

Truth Seeker is either a jail house lawyer
or from Boston where they approve of this kind of behavior.

[cesspool]

truthseeker - had experience with your old lady, lots of it, just like the rest of the block

[Truth Seaker]

Hey cesspool, I don't have an old lady, shows what an idiot you are...some people really should learn to shut their mouths. That's probably what was going on with that 19 yr old; young kids never know when to shut their mouths...maybe he got what he desrved.

[Truth Seaker]

Hey Paul, I'm far from a lawyer and I'm not from Boston; I just believe that people are innocent until proven guilty and I believe in getting all the facts before I shoot my mouth off, why don't you try it?

[Butch]

Truthseeker,
Any body that sucker punches someone is a candya$$. He deserves everything he gets.

[Truth Seaker]

Butch, how do you know it's true that he sucker punched him? Again, there is always 3-sides to a story and more than what's being printed.

I don't believe in any form of fighting provoked or unprovoked, straight to your face or behind your back, but I'll say it again; He is innocent until proven guilty and the media has told us only what sells they're probabling leaving more facts out of this than actually happened.

And I'll say it again, none of us were there, so for every finger you point and judge someone with 3 are pointing back at you.

That is the only point I'm trying to make here; all of the posts indicate that this guy isn't intitled to a fair trial and should automatically do jail time. We'll never know the outcome of this case because the truth is going to be too boring to put in print.

[Maggie]

Joe, what were you thinking? Or not? Dammit man!