The recent incident (Sept. 13) at Network Associates Stadium in Oakland, CA has raised an interesting question that needs to be addressed. Namely, what right does this man have to spew venom or anything he wishes out his head?

For a quick recap, Texas Rangers pitcher Frank Francisco reacted poorly to a heckler in the stands and threw a chair at the heckler. The main fan antagonist was Craig Bueno (the Heckler), an overly ardent supporter of the Oakland Athletics. Bueno stated at a press conference after the fact that he bought a set of season tickets near the visiting teams bullpen for the express purpose of heckling the pitchers in the pen. So, after several innings of abuse hurled at the pitchers and Francisco in particular, Frank reacted and threw a chair into the seats at the Heckler. The Heckler ducked and the chair struck the Heckler's wife, breaking her nose and giving her several lacerations on her face. Francisco was arrested after the game, and released on bail. He has since been suspended for the remainder of the season. The couple is going to file a civil suit for damages.

The question becomes: who was more wrong? The Ranger pitcher didn't have to toss a chair into the stands to get his point across that he was upset with what the Heckler was saying. That wasn't a very mature or reasonable response. I hope that MLB gets this point across loudly and clearly and that the Players Union doesn't stand in the way by appealing either the suspension or fine. This kind of behavior isn't acceptable and it shouldn't be tolerated by anyone. That said, what about the responsibility of the Heckler?

Doesn't he bear some of the blame for this incident? Are his First Amendment rights so sacred that we will excuse him of any and all culpability? Should a jury of his peers award his wife a large cash settlement for an incident he incited? How much responsibility does the Heckler bear in this instance?

Time for me to bring out the dreaded Spider-Man card. That's right, I'm playing the super-hero card in this discussion. Stan Lee once wrote, and it's been repeated many times over the years, "With great power, there must also comes great responsibility."

It was true in the case of Peter Parker and it's true for us as citizens of the United States as well. The power in this case is freedom of speech. The responsibility is using it wisely. I don't believe that the Heckler used his power very wisely.

There is nothing acceptable or cool about being an abusive heckler. The fan booing or hollering, "You stink!", is an accepted part of the experience and one I have no problem with. But to go out of your way to buy limited season tickets near the opposing player's bullpen with the express purpose of riding the visiting players and hurling constant verbal abuse at them isn't part of the "tradition of the game." It's loutish behavior and shouldn't be tolerated. Not by those sitting around him, not by his wife, not by the Heckler's new personal injury attorney, not by the community. Not by anyone.

Not for a minute do I think that the Heckler and his wife got what they deserved. Nobody deserves a chair being thrown at them, no matter how offensive their language might be. Francisco was out of line and out of control. He has been suspended for the remainder of the season, hurting his team's chances during the stretch run. He is getting exactly what he deserves from MLB. The justice system will certainly follow.

What he doesn't deserve is to get pilloried in the media and sued by the Heckler and his family. The Heckler doesn't deserve the payday which is likely in his future. He will probably receive a financial settlement from the Rangers baseball team, Francisco himself, The A's baseball club, or other parties.

Since the Heckler instigated this chain of events, I don't see it and I don't get it. This baffles me beyond comprehension.

Where is the Heckler's responsibility? He has publicly stated he went to the park to get under the skin of the opposing team's pitchers in the hope he could help his team win, thereby becoming the "10th Man" on the Oakland A's roster. That he goes over the line and becomes an overly abusive fan who incites a small riot, ducks and lets his wife suffer for his indiscretion, is apparently being ignored by most.

I feel little pity for the Heckler or Mrs. Heckler. My wife wouldn't stand for that kind of behavior from me, nor should she. His actions precipitated the outcome; he should bear a good chunk of the blame for this. His wife should take him to task as well, but that's her problem and not mine. They are both nervous about going back to Network Associates to watch a baseball game. It seems they have a problem with this bed they have made for themselves, doesn't it?

What Francisco did was inexcusable, but what the Heckler did was just as bad. He shouldn't be taken care of by getting a large settlement, or being portrayed as the victim in this instance.

He brought this on himself and should suffer the consequences, which don't include being a happy litigant. I mean, what kind of message is THIS sending to our children?