It’s no secret that watching a baseball game, or any sporting event, has certain cultural components. Think buying merchandise, grilling out and drinking beer.

Fans in Chicago and the surrounding area remain anxious about October. With the Cubs clinching their division and the White Sox following suit after last night’s win, the Chicagoland area is about to explode with post-season celebration.

And celebrate we will, Chicago. Or will we?

Last week, Mayor Richard M. Daley asked bars and restaurants around Wrigley Field to cut off alcohol sales from the seventh inning until the end of the game in any clinching baseball game. This ban will affect 40 surrounding restaurants and bars.

Daley’s main concern is safety. He does not want to see area celebrations “turn ugly.”

“The alcohol ban isn’t going to do anything but make people mad,” said Katie Shabel, junior journalism major. “People are going to find a way to drink anyway.”

The Chicago Sun-Times reported that bar and restaurant owners had to voluntarily accept the temporary prohibition or face being voted dry by Wrigleyville residents. But two innings of prohibition is absurd and ineffective. Such a ridiculous ban may encourage people to drink even more in the time legally allotted.

Is a two-inning alcohol ban the best solution to keep drunken celebrations under control? What about the other seven innings, in which fans can guzzle beer to their heart’s content?

“If you want to do a ban like this, you have to do it right,” said Therese Barr, Cubs fan and senior journalism major. “If they are going to really try to stop excessive drinking, there has to be a more proactive solution.”

Increased security would have a better effect than an alcohol ban.

“Every day is the same for us, whether we’re really busy or not,” said Brian White, manager of Fatty’s Pub & Grille. “Whether it’s the first inning or the eighth, we have bouncers keep an eye on the crowd.”

The alcohol unfavorably affects hyped-up and highly competitive psyches. However, if a person is old enough to drink, he or she should be able to drink responsibly.

If fans want alcohol, they will find a way to consume alcohol. Before adopting an unsure solution, Chicago should increase security to control boisterous fans.