As professional baseball season gets underway, a new study reveals most communities surrounding big city ballparks are, well, fields of screams.
Two thirds of the nation's 28 major league ballparks are in neighborhoods highly prone to violent crime, including murder, rape and robbery.
Shock TV's Net counterpart APBnews.com, an all-the-crime-all-the-time Web site, says Atlanta's Turner Field is ranked as the nation's most dangerous diamond in the rough, followed by Comiskey Park, Chicago and Yankee Stadium in New York City. You'll feel safest at home if you live near The Ballpark in Arlington, Texas. With a score of 6 it rated least likely to reveal three-strikes criminals lurking outside.
APBnews.com used computerized modeling from CAP Index Inc., a computerized crime-risk assessment Web site. RealtyTimes.com's RealtyLocator uses Cap Index's CrimeCheck service to help prevent home buyers from moving into foul territory.
CAP Index plots crime census tracts with a computer model that compares socioeconomic data to past reports of actual crime. Tracts are then given numerical ratings, 1 for the lowest crime risk, 10 for the highest crime scores.
Using the scale, 19 of the 28 U.S. baseball venues were surrounded by neighborhoods (in radiuses up to six miles) that ranked 9 or 10 on this scale.
Color-coded online maps show the risk of violent crime in the areas surrounding the ballparks and the maps can help sports fans decide the safest routes for driving and parking.
"I suspect many fans define baseball safety as watching out for foul balls and spilled drinks. However, you have the right to know that the areas surrounding many baseball stadiums can be dangerous. Preparation is key for a safe trip to the game and back home," said Mark Sauter, chief operating officer of APB Online Inc., which operates of APBnews.com.
The survey is part of "The Rough Side of the Diamond," an APBnews.com look at the dark side baseball, including players' run ins with the criminal justice system as well as tips to keep you from becoming a big hit in a bad neighborhood.
Tips include:
Use common sense. Don't pull out a roll of bills to pay for a hot dog.
Park close to the stadium in a guarded, well-lighted lot.
Don't leave valuables lying in your car in plain view -- including even small change or cigarettes, which might tempt a thief to break your car window.
Walk to the ballpark on well-traveled routes, with other fans.
Bring a cellular phone. It may not do you much good once confronted by a criminal, but if your car breaks down you can call for help.
Inside the stadium, remember that people may be observing you from above, below or from either side. Be discreet with cash and valuables such as cameras.
Try to arrive early and avoid the crush of the crowd where pickpockets thrive.
Know the location of the nearest exit.
Make sure children are escorted by an adult at all times.
Report boisterous, vulgar or aggressive fans to security. Chances are if you're offended, others are too.
Crowds inside the stadium help deter overt criminal activity, but when you're outta there, be careful out there.
Published: April 13, 2000
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 A journalist for 35-years, Broderick Perkins parlayed an old-school daily newspaper career into a digital news service offering editorial content and consulting services. Perkins' San Jose, CA-based DeadlineNews Group includes the flagship news site, DeadlineNews.Com, offering real estate, personal finance and consumer journalism, and a backshop, the
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