“Holding Pen” During the Fireworks
Non-Oaklander coming in peace but a bit baffled after yesterday’s match experience.
We decided to leave during the underwhelming fireworks, trying to beat the crowds to the BART. Not being locals didn’t know if there was an alternative route out of the parking lot (at least there was no announcement or information about this).
Since we had never been to the Coliseum, not sure if this is a regular occurrence, but while the fireworks were going on, the ramp up toward the station was fenced off, so we were kept there for quite some time until the an all clear was given.
The problem is that more and more people were allowed to join the lines behind, and this holding people “safe” during the fireworks created a very dangerous situation with a risk of crowd crush, especially as we heard some idiots joking that let’s rush the fence and how they can’t stop all of us. Not only that, but once we were let on the ramp, even the gate at the top by the pedestrian bridge to BART was also closed, which was about to create another choking point.
I know this is not necessarily due to your club—the staff was probably following the fire marshal’s (?) orders—but this could have ended very differently, and already caused quite a bit of anxiety being held back with no alternative way to exit the predicament.
[/rant]
Too bad you guys couldn’t win the game at the death. San Antonio’s #3 (their captain no less?!) was being so ridiculous at the end (and after the final whistle), and would rather have seen you make it to the playoffs.