I'm going to attempt a counter point to Brad's comments although I agree to the principles behind the examples. I just don't agree with the examples. First my commentary on the two specific occurrences Brad referenced in his post:
The contested infield fly rule call and throwing bottles and trash on the field. It's a playoff game, and the call was controversial. I don't agree with throwing trash on the field as a show of disagreement, nor in an attempt to injure any player or umpire. However, the jeers and booing from the crowd would be, in my opinion, perfectly appropriate. The profanity at times like this is simply fan passion (and often alcohol) getting out of hand. I know I talk more like a sailor when I'm drinking alcohol. Passion is part of the game, any game. In some cases it's internalized and actually enhances performance. In instances where it's blown off externally it usually ends up being nothing other than a showing of bad sportsmanship. It's not reflective of the game, or sport in general. It's more reflective of a more liberal society in terms of behavioral norms that are deemed acceptable. I can point to lots of examples of this that are much bigger than sport.
The "supposed" cheering for Kansas City Chief Matt Cassel being hurt. In short, hogwash. Winston, the aforementioned teammate who claimed to be embarrassed by what he heard, was emotional himself. He was using very strong language and you could see the intensity in what he was saying. But many people in the media (ESPN analysts, PTI sportscasters, and 101FOX KC Chiefs announcers) who were also there, reviewed the tapes, etc said that most people were quiet when it was realized that Matt was hurt. Did the fans want a change at QB? Yes! But did they cheer because Matt was hurt or because Matt being shook up meant that Brady Quinn would be coming into the game. I believe the latter. Most fans (including Chiefs fans) are loud, and there are always a few really obnoxious ones like the one Brad and Sheila sit next to at Iowa games. But it's the exception not the rule, and the suggestion that "the crowd" cheered when their own QB was hurt seems to be an exaggeration of what really happened - not a reality.
Professional sports is full of passion and that's the way people want it. People tune in to see the raw unaltered passion that typically can't be displayed as purely anywhere else. And that's why people don't act the same on and off the field. It's different out there and it's supposed to be.
I don't think that professional sports is the best place to go to see how the game has changed. Instead, my example comes right from home, with my kids. Now that's where I have realized how sports has really changed.
At the KC Baldwins we've recently contemplated the upcoming recreational basketball league, whether Alex and Luke would want to participate, and whether I would coach Luke's team like I have the previous two years. The news of the upcoming sign up deadline was learned through calls from parents of the team I coached the previous two years. Luke's age which is 4th grade two years ago, 5th grade last year, and now 6th grade boys. These interested parents were inquiring as to whether I was interested in coaching again. But for very specific reasons - whether I would be willing to do a little roster trimming and then recruit for some better players. These parents told me that I was likely to lose one or two of my best players to other teams since they had been recruited by other coaches, and that I needed to drop a few of the players on my team from last year so that we could "upgrade". Placing a few select calls would surely result in a better and more talented team overall. To be honest the drama of the situation put me off.
I had agreed to coach Luke's team two years ago because no one else was willing. But I came to enjoy it and genuinely liked getting to know each of the kids and developing a personal relationship with them. Taking kids who knew little about the game and how it should be played, teaching fundamentals, and giving everyone nearly equal playing time. We won some games, and we lost some.
And yes, I wanted to win. Big shock to you all but I pride myself on being a competitive person. But this was a recreational league who I thought randomly assigned new players to teams, and whose purpose was to teach kids the game.
Boy was I wrong. Really? More competitive parents out there than me?! You can imagine my surprise and dismay, knowing personally how much I've been accused of a "win at all costs" mentality.
If I was to continue coaching I would be competing with other coaches for the best kids. Oh, and don't get stuck with the kids that suck too. Gotta cut those boys quick. Hopefully they recognize they suck and don't sign up for the league - and if they do at least they'll be a burden for the other teams. Especially since the league rules promote equal playing time. Yeah right.
Seeing a kid who sucked develop and advance by leaps and bounds was one of the greatest joys pieces I got from coaching the team. A surprise great pass, a box out and rebound, a pick and roll producing a layup. YES! Seeing the surprise in the players eyes - did I just do that?! But not any more.
So I bailed. Luke elected not to play (that was disappointing, and another story) but it enabled me to find my way out to this predicament I'd suddenly found myself in.
I'm not coaching and Luke is not playing. And the league will continue advancing toward competitive while still claiming to be a recreational league. Kids who just want to play and learn the game will be shunned if they don't show their talent quickly. Boy does that suck.
I think there should be competitive leagues. And I think there should be recreational leagues. And I don't think you should mix the two. No false advertising. If you want to play competitive then knock yourself out. If you want to play recreational, then sign up. But don't say one and do the other.
I have half an inkling to call the commissioner and tell him how I feel. Should I? Right now that seems like it would be pushing a rope up hill. The overwhelming majority of parents at least on my team are pushing more competitiveness. And the kids, where do they stand? I'm not sure whether they like it or not. I know the kids that suck don't. And kids like my son Luke, who I consider to be an average to better-than-average player? He wants to play with everybody. And, as he was instructed by his coach last year (me)
"If a kid is open, pass him the ball!" I don't care whether he catches it, or whether he scores. The only way he'll continue to try is if he has the opportunity. We'll win as a team, and we'll lose as one.
Draw your own conclusions from my story, but it planted one of my feet very firmly on the "it's a game and you play the game to learn life lessons" side of the line. The other foot? Oh, it's still on the "competition is good and winning is more fun than losing" side of the line.
But my competitiveness is waning in my old age, like most everything else. Some would say that for me it's a welcome change.
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